Welcome to Rome! Whether you’re here for the long haul or just a short visit, you’ll want to figure out the city’s public transport system as best as possible. So here’s a guide to getting around Rome by public transport, made by Spotahome‘s Italian staff members. Thanks guys!
Different types of travel cards in Rome:
Rome has recently launched its card elettronica , similar to a re-chargeable debit card, that lets you get around the city with ease. Madrid and many other European cities have done the same. Rome’s electronic card allows you to move around the city by all forms of public transport: bus, metro, or train.
There are two options to get the card for free: by using Atac’s website form (richiedi la card), or by visiting one of the official distribution points around the city. You can also get your card in one of the authorized resellers; however, it has an extra 3€ fee. Once you get it, you’ll then need to charge your card through the official website (ricarica la card).
- Mensile personale ..……………………………………. 35 € / month
The monthly ticket is valid for a whole month starting from the day you make the payment and it gives you unlimited access to transport throughout Rome’s central area.
- Mensile impersonale…………………………………… 53 € / month
As the previous ticket, you can use it for unlimited trips; however, this time anyone can use this ticket, so you can share it with somebody else.
- Annuale Roma………………………………………….. 250 € / year
The yearly ticket really lets you save money, as it comes out to just 20.85 € per month.
If you don’t need public transport very often, you can consider getting a Metrebus Roma. Here are the different rates for Rome’s central area:
- BIT…………………………………………. 1.50 € You can travel for 100 min
- ROMA 24H ……………………………….. 7 €
- ROMA 48H ………………………………..12.50 €
- ROMA 72H ……………………………….. 18.00 €
24/48/72 hour unlimited trips
You should also pay attention to Rome’s infraction code that establishes fines from 100-500 € (or 50€ if you pay in 5 days or less). Some of the fines, such as for non-validated tickets or exceeding the allotted amount of time, etc., are mentioned on Atac’s official website
Best ways to get around Rome:
The Italians on the Spotahome team recommend using Rome’s metro, train or tram because they’re the fastest way to travel around the city by public transport. The metro starts running at 5:30 am and closes at 11.30 pm (on Saturdays it closes at 1:30 am); however, you should check out the full schedule since the metro is constantly under construction (especially in the summer).
- Metro, ferrovie metropolitane e tram (full map)
- Full schedule
The city’s hectic traffic is one of the biggest problems in Rome. Therefore, the bus could be less convenient if you’re in a hurry. On the other hand, you may have no other choice, as the metro has not developed enough to get you everywhere you want to go, especially since the city can’t build anywhere that would interfere with archaeological ruins (and of course, this is Rome we’re talking about, so there are plenty).
Before we move onto Rome’s different neighborhoods and areas, here is a link to the city’s bike-friendly lines for metro and bus (i.e. where you’re allowed to take the bike onto the bus/train with you).
Rome’s different areas:
The city of Rome has different areas. They are very important because the price and schedule can vary according to each zone. Check out Rome’s zona map:
Don’t forget!
Spotahome offers hundreds of spacious and personally-checked rooms, studios and apartments all over Rome, so you can book your perfect home online before you even arrive in the city. Check out all our available houses in Rome on our interactive map here and feel free to get in touch with us. We’d be happy to hear from you!
this home in Rome could be yours ?
You’ll also like:
- Best Italian Blogs And Websites
- … and here is Milan vs Rome – la grande battaglia for those who can’t decide which city is best for them.
Stay tuned for our upcoming posts!
In our next post on Rome, we’ll analyse the best alternatives to public transport, i.e. scooters vs cars, and an alternative to Uber — have your heard about Scooterino? If not, then check out our blog on Tuesday next week ?