Rome Travel Guide

Rome Travel guide

Rome, known as the Eternal City, has attracted visitors for over 2,000 years. It is one of the most magnificent and romantic cities in the world, boasting an attractive mix of grandiose sights, with the likes of the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum, and bustling city life. 

Life is sweet: the cake is there for eating. Italian designer shopping, smooth ice cream, frothy cappuccino and exquisite wines to name but a few things that draw in over 4.1 million tourists in search of a taste of Italian ‘dolce vita’ every year.

viewpoint 3638146 1280

Overview and Brief History

rome 3550739 1280

Once it ruled the Western World, and even the partial, scattered ruins of that awesome empire, of which Rome was the capital, are today among the most overpowering sights on earth. To walk the Roman Forum, to view the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Catacombs , and the Appian Way—these are among the most memorable, instructive, and illuminating experiences in all of travel. To see evidence of a once-great civilization that no longer exists is a humbling experience that everyone should have.

As a visitor to Rome, you will be constantly reminded of this city’s extraordinary history. Take the time to get away from the crowds to explore the intimate piazzas and lesser basilicas in the back streets of Trastevere and the centro storico. Indulge in eno-gastronomic pursuits at coffee bars, trattorias, enotecas and gelaterias. Have a picnic in Villa Borghese or climb to the top of the Gianicolo for million-dollar views. Rome is so compact that without planning too much, you’ll end up stumbling across its monuments its simpler pleasures.

Walk the streets of Rome, and the city will be yours.

Best time to visit

The best times to go to Rome are during April (aside from Easter week), May, and September when the weather is warm but not too hot for visiting major outdoor attractions, like the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum

Avoid visiting in August when the weather is stifling hot and many Romans leave for a month-long vacation. 

Winter brings cooler temperatures and rain, but snow is rare; this is the best time for avoiding crowds at the most popular sights.

The best time to visit the Vatican: Winter is by far the best time to visit the Vatican Museums as you’ll be able to cover a lot more ground than you’d be able to during the busier seasons. No matter when you visit, keep in mind that the Vatican museums are closed on Sundays with the exception of the last Sunday of the month, when they are open and free. This is actually the worst day to visit as you’ll have to wait in line for three hours or even longer. On Wednesday mornings, the museums typically have few crowds while the Pope does his audience.

Getting around Rome

Car: Driving in Rome isn’t advisable— the traffic is chaotic in the best of terms and drivers are insane. Don’t do it!

Taxis: Taxis are an option but tend to be more expensive. I think we paid £20 / €24 / $26 for a 10 minute taxi ride!

Public Transport: The best way to get from A-B is wandering around by foot— this is the most romantic way to discover the hidden corners of the city— or use the impressive public system of buses, trams, trolleys, metro, and light railways.

If you’re in town for at least 72 hours, try the Roma Pass— just €52 ($61 or £44) will get you full access to public transportation, admission to two museums, and discounts on performance and exhibition tickets.

Things to see and do

The Colosseum 

 

Rome’s iconic amphitheater is the most spectacular of the city’s great monuments. This was ancient Rome’s showpiece stadium, a vast 50,000-seater used to stage gladiatorial games and bloody shows featuring animal hunts and public executions. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater (the name Colosseum was coined in medieval times to refer to a colossal statue of Nero that stood nearby), it was built by the emperor Vespasian and inaugurated in AD 80. 

The design was a masterpiece of ancient engineering with numbered entrance arches and seating in three steeply stacked tiers. Overhead, a vast canvas awning provided shade for spectators, while down below the performers slugged it out on the sand-covered arena. Beneath the arena was a network of subterranean corridors known as the hypogeum, used to pen animals and as an underground entrance for gladiators from the nearby Ludus Magister (gladiator school). 

The hypogeum is viewable only via guided tour – book in advance when you buy your tickets. 

Crowds are still the norm at the Colosseum and you’ll almost certainly have to queue to get in. To cut waiting time, either book your ticket online here or nip down to the Palatine and buy it there – tickets cover the Colosseum, Palatine and Roman Forum

Check out our Colosseum Guide here

Get your skip-the-line tickets via our recommended partner:

rome 1123531 1280
rome 3550739 1280
Palatine Hill

 

A short walk down the road from the Colosseum, the Palatine is Rome’s mythical birthplace – according to legend, Romulus founded the city here in 753 BC. Later, it was Rome’s smartest neighborhood, where wealthy patricians and celebrity generals lived in the shadow of the imperial palace – the word ‘palace’ is derived from the Latin name for the hill, palatium. Most of the ruins you see today are what’s left of the emperor Domitian’s sprawling 1st-century palace. 

Highlights to look out for include the emperor’s private stadium; a small museum of artifacts found onsite; the Casa di Augusto, the emperor’s private residence; and the Casa di Livia, home of Augustus’ wife. In the northeast corner, known as the Orti Farnesiani, you can enjoy amazing views from a viewing balcony overlooking the Roman Forum. Note that the Palatine is covered by the same ticket as the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Below is a photo looking up to Palatine and a photo looking down from Palatine Hill over the Roman Forum 

rome 4819857 1280
rome 944852 1280
Roman Forum

 

Now sprawling ruins that extend from the Colosseum to the Capitoline Hill, the Roman Forum was ancient Rome’s showcase hub, a hectic precinct of grand temples, law courts, offices and noisy public squares. Few buildings have survived in great shape but it’s still a fascinating place to explore. Some of the best-preserved structures are in the north-western sector – this is where you’ll find the Curia, the original seat of the Roman Senate, and the Arch of Saptami’s Severus, one of Rome’s most imposing triumphal arches. 

Nearby, a series of columns survive from the Temple of Saturn, the Fort Knox of ancient Rome where the city’s gold and silver reserves were kept. Toward the Colosseum end of the Forum, the Temple of Caesar marks the spot where Julius Caesar was cremated after his murder in 44 BC. Further on, you’ll see the Casa delle Vestali, the house where the Vestal Virgins used to live, and the Arch of Titus, a stocky arch commemorating Titus’ successful suppression of a rebellion in Jerusalem. 

Note that the Roman Forum is covered by the same ticket as the Colosseum and Palatine Hill.

Check out our Roman Forum guide here

roman forum
italy 1633686 1280
Victor Emmanuel Monument

 

Towering over Piazza Venezia, this white monument dominates Rome’s skyline. But as dramatic as it is, it’s disliked by locals who write it off as a glorified viewing platform, saying it’s the only place in town where it can’t actually be seen from. Certainly, the views it offers are sensational, allowing you to see everything from Vatican City to the Colosseum. Take the panoramic lift (€7 / $8.50 / £6) to the top. Tickets can be bought at the base of the elevator.

Known as Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) or Vittoriano, it was built at the end of the 19th century to celebrate Italian unification and to honor Italy’s first king, Victor Emanuel II, who’s immortalized in the giant equestrian statue. 

As well as climbing its huge terraces, you can also explore the monument’s cavernous interior. Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and check for exhibitions: art at the Complesso del Vittoriano , and history at the Museo Centrale del Risorgimento.

ECB9B745 59DC 4D0A ADCB EB4F8C380852
6964B75D 2E47 4FBE B39D 4916B7FEA674
Pantheon

 

Alongside the Colosseum, this ancient temple is Rome’s most spectacular ruin. In fact, it’s hardly a ruin at all, having survived virtually intact since it was built by the emperor Hadrian circa AD 125. 

The Pantheon (from the Greek words pan, meaning all, and theon, meaning gods) was originally a temple dedicated to all the gods in Roman mythology. But in 608, it was consecrated as a Christian church and became the Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres, which remains its official title to this day. It’s a formidable structure. The entrance portico, fronted by 16 giant granite columns, leads into a cavernous, beautifully symmetrical interior decorated in lavish marble. Here you’ll find the tombs of kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, as well as that of Renaissance artist Raphael. Up above, light (and rain) streams in through the oculus in the centre of the dome. This vast concrete cupola was the largest in the world for centuries and is still regarded as the ancient Roman’s greatest architectural feat.

It really is breathtaking from both inside and out.

More information can be found here

ECC7ED3D CC4E 403F A443 F5C5342B7B86
rome 3433323 1280
070B4D6B 7347 4DD7 98B6 4965DA7DB938
0730C1B2 8C8F 40E1 A063 FEF093CCC6F3
Piazza di Spagna & Spanish Steps

 

Rome’s most famous staircase sweeps up from Piazza di Spagna. At some point, you’ll almost certainly find yourself passing through this busy square and enjoying a timeout on the Spanish Steps, which provide a welcome perch for weary legs. Make it to the top, though, and you’re rewarded with fantastic views from the landmark church, Trinità dei Monti. 

Despite their name, the Steps were not actually built by the Spanish – the name was a reference to the nearby Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. In front of the Steps sits the piazza’s fountain, known as the Barcaccia. Depicting a sunken boat, it was designed to be below street level to compensate for low water pressure. Leading off the piazza to the west is Via dei Condotti, Rome’s Fifth Avenue. Also of note is the house to the right of the Steps where Romantic poet John Keats spent his last few months. 

For the best photos, try to visit between mid-April and mid-May when hundreds of colourful azaleas are laid out on the Steps.

There is no admission fee.

spanish steps 2676923 1280
rome 1513395 1280
St Peter’s Basilica

 

The Vatican’s monumental centrepiece, St Peter’s Basilica is the most important church in the Catholic world. For centuries it was the largest church in the world, and still today its size and opulence are staggering. The current basilica was built over a 4th-century church and consecrated in 1626 after some 120 years’ construction. 

Many of the top artists and architects of the Renaissance and Baroque eras worked on it, including Bramante, Raphael, Domenico Fontana, and Carlo Maderno. Michelangelo sculpted the Pietà statue just inside the main entrance and designed the basilica’s stunning dome, and baroque maestro Bernini created the baldachin over the main altar. 

Beneath the cavernous interior, you can explore the Vatican grottoes and, with prior reservation, visit St Peter’s tomb. You can also climb all the way to the top of the dome for impressive views! 

Most people arrive at St Peter’s by way of Ottaviano metro station, but the best approach is along Via della Conciliazione. This monumental road leads straight to St Peter’s Square, with fabulous views of the basilica’s mighty facade. 

Note that strict dress codes are enforced, so if you want to go inside the basilica, make sure to cover your legs and shoulders.

Be sure to check out our dedicated Vatican City page for more information on how to book, prices, and more photos. Click here

For guided tours and skip-the-line tickets use our partner :

72371164 B133 4C78 9FAD 291278F5C101
vatican 594612 1280
Trevi Fountain

 

Rome’s largest and most celebrated fountain, and home to one of the city’s most popular rites of passage. According to tradition, throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain fountain will ensure you’ll return to Rome one day. And judging by the €3000 or so that’s thrown in on an average day, a lot of people want to come back. (The money collected is donated to charity) 

The fountain was completed in 1762, having taken some 30 years to build. Its exuberant design is the work of artist Nicola Salvi and takes up the whole side of the 17th-century Palazzo Poli. The central character is the god Oceanus, who’s shown standing in a seashell-shaped chariot that’s being pulled by seahorses. Either side of him are two figures representing Abundance and Salubrity. Over the years, the fountain has featured in many films. 

It’s definitely worth a visit, but expect large crowds! Best to go at sunrise!

There is no admission fee.

rome 1213549 1280
trevi fountain 63052 1280
Vatican Museums / Sistine Chapel

 

Home to the Sistine Chapel and the breathtaking art collection that popes have amassed over the centuries, this is one of the world’s great museums. It’s also one of Italy’s most visited and the queues to get in can be as mind-blowing as the art, so it pays to plan ahead – book tickets online or visit on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, generally the quietest times. 

The complex, housed in the Palazzo Apostolico, is huge with several kilometre’s worth of galleries and hallways. Even rushing through, you should plan on at least three hours for a visit. Nick’s feet were literally dropping off at this point, so be prepared.

It’s impossible to see every masterpiece here, but there are some you really wouldn’t want to miss: the Laocoön and Apollo Belvedere sculptures in the Museo Pio-Clementino, Raphael’s mighty fresco The School of Athens in the Raphael Rooms, and, of course, the Sistine Chapel. This cavernous chapel is home to two of Italy’s most revered works of art, both by Michelangelo. His celebrated ceiling fresco (1508-12) covers the entire 800 square-meter vault and depicts nine episodes from the book of Genesis. Equally as inspiring is his awe-inspiring Last Judgment (1535-41) on the west wall, showing God passing judgment over the souls of the dead.

For more information on prices and more photos, head to our dedicated Vatican page here

ceiling painting 561770 1280
rome 5195046 1280
Castel Sant’Angelo

 

With its characteristic drum shape and riverside location, Castel Sant’Angelo is one of Rome’s most historic landmarks. Originally built as a mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian in 139 AD, it was subsequently fortified and taken over by the papacy, which used it as a safe refuge in times of danger. Pope Clement VII famously sheltered here during the 1527 Sack of Rome, reaching it by way of a secret passageway from the Vatican

The castle’s name, Castle of the Holy Angel, is a reference to a vision of an angel that Pope Gregory had here in 590. Nowadays, Castel Sant’Angelo is one of Rome’s most popular museums. Exploring it you can learn about its long, tumultuous history and visit the lavish papal apartments. Make sure to check out the Sala Paolina with its beautiful Renaissance frescoes and the stunning views from the terrace.

Admission fee to the Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome is €14 / $16.50 / £12 for adults. There are reduced ticket prices at €7 / $8 / £6 available for EU-citizens aged 18 to 25. Admission is free for children and adolescents that are under 18 years old.

Tickets can be bought here direct

rome 467000 1280
rome 6207755 1280
The Appian Way

 

We hired a bike and cycled up and down the Appian Way, which ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. We have a dedicated page for The Appian Way with Catacombs here.

Known to Italians as Via Appia Antica and to the ancients as the ‘Queen of Roads’, the Appian Way was the most famous highway in the ancient world. It ran for about 540km, connecting Rome with the southern Adriatic port of Brindisi. The oldest section – from Rome to Capua near Naples – was laid in the 4th century BC by Appius Claudius Caecus, after whom it’s named. This stretch was later extended and the road was completed in 190 BC. Parts of the original roadway still survive, complete with heavy basalt paving stones. 

These days, the Appia’s main draws are the catacombs that lie beneath it. From the 2nd century, early Christians dug about 300km of underground tunnels to use as burial chambers – Roman law forbade burial within the city walls and land was too expensive for many to buy. Over the next few centuries, hundreds of thousands of people were buried in them, including many saints, martyrs, and popes.

There are several creepy catacombs you can explore on the Appian Way. The largest and most popular are the Catacombs of San Callisto. Visits here, like for all the catacombs, are by guided tour – with about 20km of underground tunnels you wouldn’t want to get lost in the dark. These catacombs date to the 2nd century AD and were an extremely popular burial site – hundreds of thousands of people were laid to rest here including dozens of martyrs and 16 popes. 

A short walk away, San Sebastiano Basilica stands over a second catacomb complex, the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Before heading underground, take time to have a quick look around the basilica, which was built on the spot where St Sebastian was buried and contains one of the arrows used to kill him. The catacombs have several subterranean mausoleums and lots of ancient graffiti dedicated to saints Peter and Paul, whose relics were supposedly protected here during a period of Christian persecution.

Use our recommended partner for guided tours and exciting activities :

B1F8BF7E B22D 45A6 8ECE 61031F6CC1D5
61896D4F 86CE 49DB A799 A304C22DF9B2
145 2
145

Other noteworthy things to do and see

 

There is so much to see and do in Rome, the list is endless! Here are a few other additions that you should think about adding to your list. Just search for them on google maps and then click save.

  • Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth)
  • Trajan’s Markets
  • Piazza Navona
  • Piazza del Popolo
  • The Altar of the Peace of Agustus
  • San Giovanni in Laterano
  • San Clemente Basilica
  • The Borghese Galleries
  • Santa Maria Maggiore
  • Santa Maria in Trastevere

Where to eat and drink

Ahhh, bella Italia… land of culinary delights! Food and drink abound in Rome!

Alimentari

Grocery shop and deli, generally open 7am-1:30pm and 5pm-8pm every day except Thursday afternoon and Sunday (during the summer they are often closed Saturday afternoon instead of Thursday). If you’re on the go (or on a budget), stop at one of these and get a fresh-made sandwich with Italian meats and cheeses, about €2-€3 or £1.50-£2.50.

Bar

These ubiquitous establishments are known almost everywhere else in the world as cafés. This is where you go to get your caffè (espresso) and cappuccino. Snacks and sandwiches may be available, but your principal reason for coming here is caffeine. Caffè (espresso) is usually €1/ £0.80 / $1.20; cappuccino €1.50 / £1.20 / $2.

Some bars in the hip areas of the historic centre become trendy hang-outs in the evening (you can spot them by all the unseasonably tanned people milling around outside), and €7 concoctions with vaguely Latin-American-sounding names replace coffee as the beverage of choice. Bar del Fico, Bar Bramante, and Caffe della Pace in the area west of Piazza Navona are perennial favourites and fun for people-watching.

Enoteca

Wine shop. Usually these places sell bottles to be taken away and consumed elsewhere (or taken home as a souvenir), but some enoteche will also offer wine by the glass. Prices range between about €2-€6 / £1.60-£5 / $3-$7 for a glass, anywhere from €4-€150 / £3-£130 / $5-$170 for a bottle.

Gastronomia

Often found in conjuction with a bar. Here you can find pre-made refrigerated sandwiches of different types, the dominant ingredient usually being mayonnaise. Sandwiches (tramezzini, pizzette, panini) cost about €1.50-€4 / £1.20-£3.50 / $2-5.

Gelateria

Follow the dripping cones to one of these places offering gelato or Ice Cream to you and us. Common practice is to get three different flavours. Good old fashioned Stracciatella and vaniglia are always satisfying, and fruit flavours like fragola (strawberry) and pesca (peach) are to die for in the hotter months, but don’t be afraid to try out the Italian specialties of baci, gianduia, and zabaglione. Depending on the size of your cup or cone, €2.50-€5 / £2-4 / $3-$6.

Grattachecca

A summer-only phenomenon-you’ll find these kiosks set up across the city, often close to the Tiber river, offering shaved ice with various flavoured syrups squeezed over. €1.50-€3 / £1.20-£2.50 / $2-$4.

Pizzeria

You guessed it – pizza here. Usually only open for dinner, from 8pm or so. Décor may be spare, but a good forno a legna (wood-burning brick oven) is all you really need anyway. Roman pizza is thin-crusted, but some places do Neapolitan-style thicker pizza. Pizza in Rome normally costs about €6-10 / £5-£8 / $7-$12 for a simple margarita, a bit more for something more complicated. Do as the Romans do and order a fritto misto (plate of assorted fried foods) before your pizza.

Pub/Birreria

Like a British pub or American bar, these have become extraordinarily popular in Rome, frequented by foreigners as well as Italians. A variety of beers on tap, plus wine, cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. A pint of beer is around €6-€7 / £5.50-£6.50 / $7-$8, glasses of wine €3-€7, cocktails €8-€10; prices are usually lower in the early evening, when there’s some kind of happy hour or drink special. Try to avoid the tourist hot spots, as we paid €18 for a pint of Peroni! Crazy!

There are also disco-pubs, which typically offer lower lights, higher prices, and a DJ.

Trattoria, Ristorante, Osteria

All names for places to sit down and eat lunch (12pm-3pm) or dinner (7:30pm-11pm). Trattorie, ristoranti, and osterie offer a selection of appetizers (antipasti), pasta dishes (primi piatti), meat or fish dishes (secondi piatti), and side dishes (contorni). Prices are fairly consistent throughout the city: if you order one course only plus house wine, you can sometimes pay as little as €12 per person–but €20 is more realistic. A decent-sized meal, including house wine, will cost from €25-€35. A five-course extravaganza, with all the trimmings, will set you back at least €50. To avoid tourist traps, don’t go to restaurants where the waiters are overly cheerful and solicitous, where the menu is available in more than five languages or, worse yet, where the menu has photographs of all the different dishes.

 

Where to stay

The best place to stay in Rome depends on who you are as a traveller and your travel goals. Some people like to be close to the main attractions, some people prefer to have a quiet, neighborhood-like atmosphere, and some people want to be surrounded by the best restaurants in town.

Where did we stay?

Rome was only our 2nd trip as Northern Wanderers so we went for budget hotel Hotel Tempio Di Pallade and it turned out to be pretty decent. It was close to the train station and about a 20-30 minute walk to the Colosseum.

You can find our review here

What’s the best area to stay in in Rome?

The best neighbourhood to stay in Rome is Trastevere. It’s a beautiful, local neighbourhood popular with Romans as well as tourists, and it has excellent drink options and nightlife.

What’s the best place to stay in Rome on a budget?

There are lots of great budget accommodation options in Monti, especially the closer you go to the train station, and you’ll have easy access to the historic sites.

What’s the most romantic place to stay in Rome?

Rome is a very romantic city! Two neighbourhoods that especially bring the romance are riverside Prati and hip Trastevere. Don’t miss sunset at Castel Sant’Angelo!

What’s the best place to stay in Rome for nightlife?

Stay near the Spanish Steps for easy access to Rome’s best cocktail bars and clubs, including Art Cafe at Villa Borghese.

If you’re a foodie, you want to stay in Testaccio. This neighbourhood is home to Rome’s best restaurants, markets, and food tours.

Where to Stay in Testaccio:

 

Where to Stay in the Centro Storico:

 

Where to Stay in Monti:

 

Where to Stay in Prati:

 

Where to Stay Near the Spanish Steps:

 

Roma Pass & Omnia Card

Roma pass

 

Price per 72 hour pass: € 52.00 / $61 / £44

Launched by the Municipal Authorities of Rome and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage,in conjunction with ATAC, Roma Pass is the capital’s first cultural tourist card offering discounts and services to encourage visits to the city museums: it will allow tourists and other visitors to enjoy the sights of Rome.

The pass entitles holders to: free admission to the first two museums and/or archaeological sites visited, full access to the public transport system, reduced tickets and discounts for any other following museums and sites visited, as well as exhibitions, music events, theatrical and dance performances and all other tourist services.

Roma Pass comes with a Kit that includes:

  • Roma Pass Transport: your public transport ticket;
  • Roma MAP: a map of the city illustrating the location of Tourist Information Points, Underground stations, museums/sites of interest (addresses, phone numbers, buses and underground stations, timetables);
  • Roma Pass Guide: the complete list of museums/sites of interest that have joined the initiative;
  • Roma News: the programme of events and tourist services that are eligible for discounts divided by area of interest: art, music, theatre, dance, entertainment and sightseeing tours.

To purchase or for more information click here

Omnia Card “God card” 

 

This was the option we chose as the card also includes the Roma Pass but also allows you to enter the Vatican and The Sistine Chapel. You can also use the hop-on hop-off bus, great if you want to save your feet and probably the best sightseeing bus we have used!

Price for 72 hour pass: € 113.00 / $133 / £96

  • Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
  • St. Peter’s Basilica with multilingual audio-guide App
  • Basilica and Cloister of Saint John in Lateran with audio-guide – The entrance to the Treasure Museum is not available at the moment
  • Open Bus Vatican & Rome 
  • The entrance to Carcer Tullianum
  • 2 free entrances to Roman museums or archaeological sites 
  • Reduced entrance to the successive Roman museums or archaeological sites on the Roma Pass list
  • Free access to city public transport (operated by ATAC) for 72 hours
  • The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine (entrance reserved for Roma Pass holders) RESERVATIONS REQUIRED on-line, required booking fee 2€ (with credit card)  click here 
  • Borghese Gallery and/or archeological excavations of Palazzo Valentini/Domus Romane RESERVATIONS REQUIRED  by calling the call center +39 06 32810. Reservations are recommended at least ten days in advance.
Purchase the Omnia card here:

Getting to and from

Leonardo Express Airport train

 

The Leonardo Express Airport train is a dedicated airport train taking 30 minutes to reach the centre of Rome (Termini Station) with a frequency of every 15 minutes.

The only reason not to use the service is cost, it is around double the cost of competing bus and local train options.

The Leonardo Express is simply the best (fastest and most comfortable) public transport transfer between Fiumicino Airport and Central Rome (Termini Station).

Tickets can be bought in the train station and the €14 / $16.50 / £12

The cheapest public transport option between the airport and city centre of Rome is the Terravision Bus, one of four competing airport bus services that also terminate at Termini Station. This is about a third of the cost of the Leonardo Express but takes at least twice as long and is not as frequent

COTRAL (public transport bus)

 

If you want to connect with the underground train network (called “metro “ in Italian), choose the COTRAL lines.

This bus departs from Terminal 2, Arrivals, (follow the blue and white REGIONAL BUS STOP signs) and stops at :

  • Piazza dei Cinquecento (in front of Termini Station)
  • Cornelia Station to connect with underground line A
  • EUR-Magliana Station to connect with underground line B

Travel time approximately 1 hour, price €3,60 / £3 / $4

Taxi services

 

Make sure to catch the official, licensed taxis (white cars with taxi number on side) and that you are asked for the fixed fares: from Fiumicino Airport to:

  • Any destination in Rome: €48 / £40 / $52

  • Tiburtina Station: €55 / £48 / $59

  • Ostiense Station: €45 / £38 / $49

Book Tours and Purchase Tickets

Final thoughts

I really hope you enjoyed reading this Rome Travel guide! There is so much more we could’ve added but you will find new posts every so often giving you more information and certain things.

The capital of one of the most powerful ancient empires in the world, Rome is a fascinating place that has inspired people to visit for millennia. With incredible works of art, a leisurely pace of life and world-renowned cuisine, the Eternal City is worth a visit at least once, though it would take a lifetime to see all it has to offer.

 

More photos

Save this post (pin it)

We loved Rome! Absolute gem! Make sure it’s on your list.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Author

Picture of Nick Harvey

Nick Harvey

Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! I created The Travel Tinker as a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel, allowing you to tinker your own travels! Let's explore!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *