Travelling around Rome
The Italian capital of Rome is very easy to get to, with numerous direct flights connecting it to most major cities not only in Europe, but around the world. Once you are in the city, Rome’s extensive public transport system will make it easy for you to get around.
Rome is served by a fantastic underground railway system that will help you reach most of the major tourist destinations around the city. Designed in the shape of an X, Rome’s underground system consists of two lines, A and B, with a new branch line, B1, being developed as an extension. The lines intersect at Roma Termini, the city’s central railway station. There is also a major bus terminal in front of this station, so you can travel to other places if you wish.
The extensive network of buses and trams in Rome is also useful for getting around the city. As a city spread over a large area, touring Rome and all its major tourist attractions is not a feasible option. If you want to travel to other cities in Italy, train services can be found at Termini station.
Public transport in Rome, describing the lot: Let us now take a look at the comprehensive list of public transport in the city and what it offers to tourists and commuters alike.
Metro System in Rome
At the moment, Rome’s Underground only has two lines, A and B, which cross at Termini station. This is also the city’s public transport hub. A new line is under construction, but the inordinate delay that has stretched over a decade has only exacerbated the public transport scenario in the city. You’ll find that the metro misses most of the centre of Rome, and even when the new line opens, the coverage of the city won’t improve much. Travelling by this mode of transport is not as pleasant as in other European cities, such as the Paris Metro or the London Underground (Tube). While most stations are unkempt, the system as a whole suffers from crippling overcrowding. Graffiti is another problem the system has to deal with, with some trains so badly covered in it that it is almost impossible to see through the windows.
Speed is the only saving grace of the metro network. If your destination is covered by the system, then this is the best way to get from A to B. Some of the city’s major tourist attractions are also well served by the metro. So if you want to visit the Spanish Steps or the Colosseum, there are metro stations for these places. Places such as St Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museum are also just a five-minute walk from the nearest stations. As the system struggles to keep up with public demand, expect to be overcrowded even at off-peak times. If you do manage to get a seat, treat it as an unexpected bonus.
Rome Metro Map
Map of Rome Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Rome Metro map in PDF format.
Bus system in Rome
The public bus system in Rome provides an extremely frequent and comprehensive service from early in the morning until late at night. A night service complements this system with services on the city’s main routes. The main bus terminus is in front of Termini station, the capital’s accommodation and transport hub. Public buses are mainly used as feeder services to train and underground stations, and also for very short journeys. However, if you want to travel to the ancient centres of the city that are not served by the metro or other rail networks, the bus is the only means of transport. In order to make the narrow streets of this part of the city more accessible without causing pollution, Rome’s transport authority has started using electric buses to better serve commuters while preserving the area’s historical heritage.
Commuter Rail and tram services in Rome
The overground rail network in Rome consists of urban and suburban lines in and around the city, as well as a tram network. There is also an express service to Fiumicino airport. The current tram service in the city is a pale shadow of what was once the largest tram network in the country. The current fragmented structure is not strong enough to serve as the backbone of public transport in Rome. Porta Maggiore is the main hub of the network, serving as the terminal for as many as four of the city’s six tram lines. While you won’t be able to cover much of Rome’s tourist attractions, a trip on any of the six tram lines (2, 3, 5, 8, 14 and 19 are still active) will allow you to enjoy a piece of the city’s preserved and vaunted heritage.
Taxi Service in Rome
Taxi drivers in Rome are as good or as bad as those in any other city in the world. While some will try to squeeze every last penny out of your pocket, others will go easy on you because you are a tourist. To minimise the chances of this happening, make sure you get into a licensed taxi. These are the yellow or white ones with the letters SPQR on the front door. Also, make sure that you pay the metered fare and not a pre-arranged rate. You are likely to fail if you try to hail a taxi in the city. You will either have to call for one or wait at a taxi rank, which can be found in numerous locations throughout the central districts of the city. Please note that if you hail a taxi, the meter will start immediately and you will have to pay for the time from when the driver received your call.
Conclusion: As mentioned above, Rome is too big a city to cover on foot and cycling is not an option. The city centre is a maze of cobbled streets and steep inclines that are not conducive to cycling. In addition, the traffic scenario is a nightmare. Sundays are apparently better for cycling in this area, as it is closed to traffic. Keep a map handy if you want to cycle around the city, as it shows the exact cycle routes around Rome. Otherwise, it is always advisable to use public transport to get around the city and visit its many attractions.