The Ultimate Guide to Rome

Rome, also known as ‘The Eternal City’, is one of the most historically and culturally significant cities in the world. It is one of those cities that’s been on my bucket list for ages, and I’m so excited to share some of the things I learned on my trip there in this in-depth guide to Rome.

Getting to Rome from the Airport

If you’re flying into Rome, it is vital to have an idea of what the airport will be like, as well as the best ways to get into the city. The best way of travelling from Fiumicino Airport to Rome depends on many factors, including your budget, schedule, and personal preference. So, explore the options down below to decide which is best for you.

Option 1: Train

Leonardo Express:

The Leonardo Express is the fastest and most direct way to get from the airport to Rome’s main station, Roma Termini. The station is quite central, so it will probably be easy to find transportation to your accommodation in the city. You can buy tickets at the machines or counters at the airport, so you don’t need to worry about pre-booking.

Duration: 32 minutes
Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes
Cost: 14€

Regional Train (FL1):

The FL1 is a train that takes you from the airport to Rome Trastevere station, with multiple stops in between, including Tiburtina and Ostiense. This is a good option if your accommodation is situated a bit further from the city centre. My tip is to check which station is closest to your accommodation once you’ve booked it and choose the respective train or bus.

Duration: 48 minutes (to Rome Trastevere)
Frequency: Every 15 minutes (weekdays) or every 30 minutes (weekends)
Cost: 8€

Option 2: Bus

Though buses are often cheaper, they are impacted by traffic, and may be delayed during rush hour.

SIT Bus Shuttle:

This bus takes a route from the airport to Roma Termini (main station) as well as Vatican City.

Duration: 45-60 minutes
Frequency: Every 30 minutes
Cost: 6€

Cotral:

Bus services that take you from the airport to different areas in Rome, including Cornelia and EUR Magliana.

Duration: 45-60 minutes
Frequency: Depends on route
Cost: 5€

Terravision:

Another bus that drives from Fiumicino Airport to Roma Termini.

Duration: 55 minutes
Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes
Cost: 6€

Option 3: Taxi

When you leave the airport, there will be a horde of taxis waiting – just take any one, they all have the same fare and trust me, there are more than enough of them.

The biggest advantage of taking a taxi or a private transfer is that it will drop you off directly at your accommodation. It saves you the hassle of trying to navigate public transportation while dragging your luggage around. If that convenience is worth paying more money, this might be the best option. Also consider taking a taxi if you’re traveling in a group, because splitting taxi costs will make it almost as cheap as the bus or train.

Duration: 30-45 minutes to the city centre
Cost: 48€ (fixed fare for all taxis)

Option 4: Private Transfer

A private transfer will be the most expensive option, but might be the most convenient. This is also the only one you’ll have to book in advance. If you take this option, you’ll be greeted on arrivals by one of those signs with your name on it.

Some of the companies that offer private transfers are SunTransfers, GetTransfer, and Transfeero.

Duration: 30-45 minutes to the city centre
Cost: Depends on your route and destination, but typically 50-70€ to the city centre.

Other Ways to get to Rome

If you’re planning to visit multiple places in Rome, you’re probably not taking a plane. If you’re doing a multi-city trip through Italy or Europe, you might be traveling via train, bus, or car. Let this guide you through those different forms of transport you can take to Rome:

By Train

Trenitalia is the largest rail service company in Italy. With the high-speed trains, you can easily get from one Italian city to another. Trenitalia also offers international connections to Switzerland, France, Austria, and Germany.

If you’re taking a train into or out of Italy, check the websites of both countries’ trainlines. You might find cheaper tickets with another trainline. Austria’s national rail, ÖBB, offers nighttrains from Austria and Germany to many countries in Europe, including Italy.

By Bus

Traveling within Italy, local buses with be your least expensive option. Itabus is one of the biggest bus service providers in the country. It connects Rome to other big cities like Milan, Naples, and Florence, as well as smaller spots.

Flixbus is probably the cheapest way to get from one country to another. The buses are equipped with USB ports and are relatively comfortable (for buses, of course). Though there are toilets on all of the buses, I’d highly recommend using the bathroom before you leave.

Guide to Where to Stay in Rome

Rome offers a wide variety of places to stay. The accommodation you choose will depend on your budget and preferences. If you plan on visiting a lot of the historical landmarks and tourist attractions in Rome, the city centre is the best way to go. On the other hand, you can choose a more relaxing, local spot by staying in a more quiet area.

Some of the overall best places to stay in Rome are:

Budget: Vatican City Relais (90€/night), La Tortorella Home di Roma Talenti (77€/night), Gemini Guest House (68€/night)
Mid-range: B&B Domus Aurea (160€/night), Luxury Navona (150€/night), Vatication B&B (145€/night)
Luxury: Maalot Roma (445€/night), Vatica B&B Roma (315€/night), Maisone Tritone (314€/night)

For a more detailed guide on which neighbourhood and accommodation to choose for your trip, check out my post on the best places to stay in Rome.

How to Navigate the Public Transport

A great way to get around Rome is by using public transport. The city has trains, metro, trams, and buses, which run all over the city. Here is a little guide to navigating the public transport in Rome:

Metro

The metro of Rome has 3 lines:

Line A (orange): Runs from Battistini to Anagnina and passes through big stations like Roma Termini (main station), Spagna (station near the Spanish Steps), and Ottaviano (station near the Vatican).
Line B (blue): Runs from Rebibbia/Conca d’Oro to Laurentina. Passes through stations like Colosseo (station near the colosseum), and Piramide (near the Pyramid of Cestius).
Line C (green): Runs from Monte Compatri/Pantano to San Giovanni.

The metro operates between 5:30am and 11:30pm on Sundays to Thursdays and between 5:30am and 1:30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Trams

There are 6 tram lines in Rome. They generally run from 5:30am until around midnight.

Buses

The buses are probably the best way to get around the different parts of Rome. The connections are more extensive than those of the tram- and metro lines. Most buses run from 5:30am to midnight, and night buses operate between these times.

Trains

The local trains mostly travel from the city centre to more suburban areas. The main train stations in Rome are Termini, Trastevere, Tiburtina, and Ostiense.

Tickets

Tickets for public transport can be bought at metro stations, newsstands, tobacco shops, and on the ATAC website or app.

Types of Tickets:

BIT (Integrated Time Ticket): One-way tickets that are valid for 100 minutes from the time of validation. Tickets can be validated on machines that you’ll find on the buses and trams. (Cost: 1,50€)
MULTIBIT (Integrated Time Tickets): Work like normal BIT tickets, but can be reactivated for 100 minutes for a selected number of times – 2, 3, 5, or 10 times. (Cost: 3€ to 15€)
ROMA 24hr/48hr/72hr: Can be used for unlimited rides on buses, trams, metro lines, and specified regional trains. Valid for the respective time from time of validation. (Cost: 7€/12,50€/18€)
CIS (Weekly pass): Valid for 7 days (until midnight) from the day of validation. (Cost: 24€)

Children under the age of 10 can travel for free on buses, trams, and metro lines if they’re accompanied by an adult.

Using Public Transport in Rome

Here are some extra tips to remember when using the public transport in Rome:

Don’t forget to validate your ticket before or as soon as you start your journey.
Check which stations are equipped for people with disabilities if it is relevant to you. Some older stations may not be accessible to everyone.
Use the official app ATAC Roma as a guide for exact routes and schedules of the public transport in Rome.

When is the Best Time to Visit Rome?

The best time to visit Rome, in my opinion, is anytime except during summer. June to August is peak tourism season in Italy, including Rome. It gets extremely crowded and hot, which immediately makes a trip less comfortable to me. Since there isn’t a beach or anywhere that you can only do in summer, I don’t think there’s anything to lose by visiting in one of the less busy months.

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, because the weather is optimal and the crowds aren’t that bad anymore. Spring tends to be busier than autumn, and usually has more events to attend. Easter celebrations are huge in Rome and Vatican City.

I visited Rome during winter, and it was fantastic. There weren’t that many people (except at the Trevi Fountain), which significantly cut down our queueing time. We also randomly stumbled upon a sort of ‘Around the World’ Christmas market, which featured foods and performances from different countries.

Best Things to Do

As one of the most visited cities in Europe, Rome offers a huge variety of activities, tours, and sights to see.

Some of the most significant landmarks to visit include:

Colosseum
Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
Roman Forum
Spanish Steps

Check out my full guide to find out what the best things to do in Rome are.

Best Markets

One of the best ways to experience the culture of any city is to visit a local market. Rome is full of vibrant markets that sell local food and other products. The best markets in the city are:

Campo de’ Fiori Market: This food market takes place on the square of the same name and is open Mondays through Saturdays. Vendors sell fresh produce, flowers, spices, and other Italian products. It is a great place to sample local products.
Mercato di Testaccio: Also closed on Sundays, this is a popular food market that is known for its high-quality products. Fresh produce, meat, cheeses, seafood, and Roman street food are sold here.
Porta Portese Market: A flea market in Trastevere that is open on Sundays. Products include antiques, jewellery, clothing, and books.
Eataly Roma: This market is open every day and is a great place to find traditional Italian food. Many restaurants and cafés have stalls, where you can buy fresh pasta, Italian wine, cheeses, and much more.
Borghetto Flaminio Market: A smaller flea market that is great for anyone who loves thrifting. It is only open on Sundays.
Mercato Trionfale: This indoor food market is near the Vatican and is closed on Sundays. The market is a local favourite for fresh, authentic Italian ingredients.
Mercato dell’Unità: A lesser known food market in Rome. It is a great place to get a more local experience, with less tourists around.
Mercato Centrale Roma: The food market at Termini station that is open every day. This market serves both Italian and international dishes.

Day Trips from Rome

Because Rome is quite central and well-connected, it is a great place to plan day trips from. Some of the best day trips from Rome are:

Naples: The birthplace of pizza. Combine this into a multi-day trip with Pompeii and/or the Amalfi Coast for the best experience.
Pompeii: The site of the infamous Mount Vesuvius.
Amalfi Coast: An area that offers lots of beautiful little seaside towns to explore.
Vatican City: The heart of Roman Catholicism. Find my detailed guide to a day trip from Rome to Vatican City here.

I hope this guide to Rome will help you navigate your trip and plan your itinerary to have a memorable trip.