In an emergency
112 is the number for all emergency services in Italy, including if you are lost. Use only licensed white taxis with a TAXI roof sign; the city's ChiamaTaxi number is 060609. A dedicated tourist-police number was not confirmed, so it is left out.
Fair prices
What locals pay. If you are asked for much more, you are probably being overcharged.
| Espresso at the bar counter (al banco)Rome's 2026 average is below EUR 1.20 (Italy average EUR 1.29, Assoutenti/C.r.c. on ministry data). Sitting at a table usually costs more. | under 1.20 EUR |
|---|---|
| BIT single ticket (bus, tram, metro)Valid 100 minutes on buses and trams, but only one metro ride. You can also tap a contactless bank card at the gate or validator. | 1.50 EUR |
| Roma 24h travel passUnlimited ATAC travel for 24 hours from first validation. | 8.50 EUR |
| Roma 48h / 72h travel passesUnlimited ATAC travel for 48 or 72 hours. | 15.00 / 22.00 EUR |
| CIS weekly travel passSeven days of unlimited travel from first validation. | 29.00 EUR |
| Taxi, Fiumicino airport to the centre (inside the Aurelian Walls)Fixed fare per car, all supplements included. Take white taxis with a TAXI roof sign from the Terminal 1 or 3 arrivals rank. | 55.00 EUR |
| Taxi, Ciampino airport to the centre (inside the Aurelian Walls)Fixed fare per car, supplements included. | 40.00 EUR |
| Taxi starting fare (meter)Day rates run 6:00-22:00, night 22:00-6:00. Then about EUR 1.33 per km. First bag free, EUR 1 per extra bag; booking a radio taxi adds EUR 5. | 3.50 weekdays / 5.00 weekends and holidays / 7.50 at night EUR |
| Leonardo Express train, Fiumicino to TerminiNon-stop, about 32 minutes, every 15 minutes. Under 4s free; one child aged 4-11 travels free with each paying adult. | 14.00 EUR |
| Cover or bread charge at a restaurantUsual range across Italy (up to about EUR 5 in upscale places). Any such charge must be printed on the menu. It is not a tip. | 1-3 per person EUR |
Tickets
Official prices and the only places to buy. Anyone else selling on the street is a reseller.
- Colosseum
EUR 18 (EUR 16 + EUR 2 booking fee); Full Experience with arena or underground EUR 24; free on the first Sunday of the month
Buy at: https://ticketing.colosseo.it/en
The official shop is only ticketing.colosseo.it. Resellers such as tour platforms start at about EUR 33 for the same entry.
- Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
EUR 20 at the door; EUR 25 online (EUR 5 skip-the-line booking fee); reduced EUR 10
Buy at: https://tickets.museivaticani.va
The museums say tickets.museivaticani.va is the only official online shop and warn of scam sites with lookalike domains.
- Pantheon
EUR 7 from 1 July 2026; ages 18-25 EUR 2; Rome residents free
Buy at: Italian Ministry of Culture channels (see cultura.gov.it); the official online shop was not confirmed for this guide
- Trevi Fountain
EUR 2; free for Rome residents, under 6s and disabled visitors plus one companion
Buy at: https://fontanaditrevi.roma.it/en
- Galleria Borghese
EUR 16 + EUR 2 booking fee (last slot EUR 11); ages 18-25 EUR 2; under 18 free
Buy at: https://galleriaborghese.cultura.gov.it/visita/info-biglietti/
- Castel Sant'Angelo
EUR 18 from 1 July 2026; reduced EUR 2
Buy at: https://direzionemuseiroma.cultura.gov.it/en/museo-nazionale-di-castel-santangelo/ (official museum page)
- Capitoline Museums
Non-residents EUR 16.50, reduced EUR 11 (7 Sep-1 Nov 2026); EUR 1 online pre-sale fee
Buy at: Online, the 060608 call centre, or the museum desk (same day, card)
- Ara Pacis Museum
Non-residents EUR 14, reduced EUR 8.50; EUR 1 pre-sale fee
Buy at: https://museiincomuneroma.vivaticket.it/en/tour/museo-dell-ara-pacis/2383
Traps
- Watch outFree bracelets and roses
Strangers tie a 'friendship' bracelet on your wrist or hand you a rose, then demand money. Keep walking and do not take anything handed to you.
Source: rome.info - Watch outCostumed gladiators
Men dressed as gladiators near the Colosseum charge for photos, from around EUR 5. Agree the price first, or skip it.
Source: rome.info - Watch outThe 'helpful local' at ticket machines
Someone offers to help at a metro ticket machine, then asks for money or works with a pickpocket. You can tap a contactless card at the gate instead.
Source: rome.info, atac.roma.it - Watch outUnofficial drivers at the airport
Fiumicino warns about people inside the terminal offering rides. Official taxis are white with a TAXI roof sign and wait at the arrivals rank; to the centre they charge a fixed EUR 55.
Source: adr.it, romamobilita.it - Watch outLookalike ticket websites
The Vatican Museums warn of scam sites with lookalike domains; the only official shop is tickets.museivaticani.va. For the Colosseum it is ticketing.colosseo.it.
Source: museivaticani.va, colosseo.it - Watch outResold Colosseum tickets
Resellers charge from about EUR 33 for the same entry the official site sells for EUR 18. Tickets are named, so buy your own with the right name on it.
Source: artvisitguide.com, colosseo.it - RuleBuying from street sellers is illegal
Buying from unlicensed street traders is against the law in Italy, and the buyer can be stopped and fined by local police.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outBills without prices or receipts
Some bars and restaurants overcharge when no prices are shown. Check the menu first; shops must give you a receipt.
Source: rome.info - TipMenus for every dish near the monuments
Places near the big sights with huge menus of 'every Italian dish' are often frozen food at high prices. Walk a few streets away.
Source: rome.info
Money
- TipTipping is optional
Italian waiters are paid a wage, and tips are voluntary. Rounding up for good service is enough.
Source: learnitalianpod.com - RuleCover, bread and service charges
In Lazio a direct 'coperto' is banned by regional law, so some places list 'pane' (bread) or 'servizio' instead. Any such charge must be on the menu.
Source: learnitalianpod.com - TipStand at the bar to pay less
Coffee drunk standing at the counter (al banco) usually has no table charge. Rome's average espresso is under EUR 1.20.
Source: learnitalianpod.com, foodandwineitalia.com - TipTap to pay on transport
Contactless bank cards work at metro gates for a BIT fare, so you don't need to hunt for a ticket shop.
Source: atac.roma.it, atac.roma.it - TipWatch the online booking fees
Many museums add a pre-sale fee online: EUR 5 at the Vatican Museums, EUR 2 at the Colosseum and Borghese, EUR 1 at civic museums.
Source: museivaticani.va, artvisitguide.com, galleriaborghese.cultura.gov.it - RuleAirport taxi fares are fixed
Fiumicino to the centre is EUR 55 and Ciampino EUR 40 per car, with all supplements. Don't agree to a higher 'deal'.
Source: romamobilita.it, adr.it
Transport
- RuleOne metro ride per BIT
The EUR 1.50 BIT is valid 100 minutes on buses and trams but covers just one metro ride. Validate it again when you change to the metro.
Source: atac.roma.it, atac.roma.it - TipMetro hours
Lines A, B and C run from 5:30 to about 23:30, and until about 1:30 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Source: romamobilita.it - TipLeonardo Express to Fiumicino
EUR 14 non-stop from Termini in about 32 minutes, every 15 minutes. The 4-ticket group fare is EUR 40.
Source: trenitalia.com - RuleSpot an official taxi
Official taxis are white, show a TAXI roof sign and a licence number, and must start the meter. ChiamaTaxi: 060609.
Source: romamobilita.it - RuleLuggage in taxis
The first bag is free; each extra large bag costs EUR 1.
Source: romamobilita.it - TipMulti-day passes
24h EUR 8.50, 48h EUR 15, 72h EUR 22, 7 days EUR 29. Worth it only if you take several rides a day.
Source: atac.roma.it
Etiquette
- RuleCover up for churches
St Peter's requires covered shoulders and trousers or skirts below the knee for everyone.
Source: basilicasanpietro.va - RuleNo sitting on the Spanish Steps
Sitting on the steps of Trinità dei Monti is banned; fines start at EUR 250 and can reach EUR 400.
Source: ansa.it - RuleHands off the Trevi Fountain
No sitting, eating, climbing or wading at the fountain. Tossing a coin is the one thing allowed. Fines run EUR 40-240, EUR 450 for going into the water.
Source: fontanaditrevi.roma.it - RuleNo picnics by monuments
Eating and drinking near major churches, historic monuments and public buildings is illegal.
Source: gov.uk - RuleNo swimming in fountains
Bathing in fountains and public water features is banned and can bring a fine.
Source: gov.uk - RulePublic urination
Urinating in public can bring a fine of up to EUR 10,000.
Source: gov.uk
Food
- TipThe four Roman pastas
Carbonara (guanciale, egg, cheese, never cream), amatriciana (guanciale and tomato), gricia (guanciale, pecorino, pepper) and cacio e pepe (pecorino and pepper).
Source: guide.michelin.com - FunCacio e pepe's secret
Just pasta, pecorino romano and black pepper; starchy pasta water melts the cheese into a creamy sauce.
Source: turismoroma.it - TipSupplì
Fried rice balls with tomato sauce and a mozzarella centre, a classic Roman starter in pizzerias.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipPizza by weight
Pizza al taglio is sold in rectangular slices by weight, priced per kilo or per 100 g. Say how big a piece you want.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipMaritozzo
A sweet bun split and filled with whipped cream, a classic of Roman baking.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipCoffee at the counter
Order and drink your coffee standing at the bar, as Romans do; table service can add a charge.
Source: learnitalianpod.com, foodandwineitalia.com
Safety
- Watch outPickpockets in crowds
Bag snatching and pickpocketing are common in the centre, at big sights and on public transport, including main train and metro stations.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outPickpocket teams
Pickpockets often work in groups in airports, the metro, buses and at monuments, targeting distracted tourists.
Source: rome.info - TipCall 112
112 reaches all emergency services in Italy, including if you are lost.
Source: gov.uk - RuleOnly licensed taxis
Use taxis with a roof sign and company name and number on the side, from a rank, a phone call or an app.
Source: gov.uk, romamobilita.it - Watch outBe wary at airport arrivals
Fiumicino advises caution with anyone inside the airport offering transport; only white taxis with a TAXI sign are official.
Source: adr.it
Free
- TipDrink from the nasoni
About 2,500 street fountains (over 200 in the centre) give free, fresh drinking water. The Acquea app maps them.
Source: turismoroma.it - TipFirst Sunday free at state sites
The Colosseum park is free on the first Sunday of the month, but you still need to book. Galleria Borghese is also free that day, apart from the EUR 2 booking fee.
Source: colosseo.it, galleriaborghese.cultura.gov.it - TipVatican Museums' last Sunday
Free on the last Sunday of the month, 9:00-14:00. Expect long queues.
Source: museivaticani.va - TipSee the Pope for free
Tickets to the Wednesday general audience in St Peter's Square are always free; request them at least two weeks ahead.
Source: pnac.org - TipThe Aventine keyhole
The keyhole of the door at Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta 3 frames the dome of St Peter's at the end of a garden avenue. It's free.
Source: turismoroma.it - TipTrevi after hours
The EUR 2 charge covers only the area by the basin, until 22:00. After hours you can still see the fountain for free.
Source: fontanaditrevi.roma.it
Fun
- FunThe nasone trick
Block the spout of a nasone with your finger and the water gushes upwards, so you can drink without touching anything.
Source: turismoroma.it - FunNasoni once had dragons
The first nasoni of 1874 had three dragon-shaped spouts; the plain spout came later and gave them the nickname 'big nose'.
Source: turismoroma.it - FunOrange Garden views
Parco Savello, the Orange Garden on the Aventine, looks across the city to the Janiculum and Monte Mario.
Source: turismoroma.it - FunRose Garden over the Circus Maximus
The city Rose Garden on the Aventine has a superb view of the Circus Maximus and the Palatine, best at dusk.
Source: turismoroma.it - FunPiranesi's square
The square around the keyhole was designed in 1765 by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, better known for his etchings of Rome.
Source: turismoroma.it - FunThree churches in one
Under San Clemente's 12th-century basilica is a 4th-century church, and under that Roman buildings and a temple of Mithras.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunStatues in a power plant
Centrale Montemartini shows around 400 ancient statues among the machinery of a former power station.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunSupplì 'al telefono'
When you pull a supplì apart, the mozzarella stretches like an old telephone cord, hence the name.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunA bun for your sweetheart
Men once gave a maritozzo to their girlfriends; the name comes from 'marito', husband. Rome marks Maritozzo Day on the first Saturday of December.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipTwo house museums with one ticket
Until 31 December 2026 a Castel Sant'Angelo ticket also gets you into the Hendrik Christian Andersen house museum and Casa Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi.
Source: direzionemuseiroma.cultura.gov.it - FunA pool at Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla (AD 212-216) now have a Reflecting Pool that brings water back to the site and hosts concerts and performances.
Source: turismoroma.it
When to go
- TipRome's birthday, 21 April
Natale di Roma brings free cultural events, band concerts and tours; in 2026 they ran from 18 to 22 April for the city's 2,779th birthday.
Source: turismoroma.it - TipFesta de' Noantri, July
Trastevere's festival includes a procession for the Madonna del Carmine and free evening shows in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere; in 2026 it ran 13-27 July.
Source: turismoroma.it - TipFree days at the Colosseum
Besides first Sundays, the Colosseum park is free on 25 April, 2 June and 4 November.
Source: colosseo.it - TipShorter hours in winter
The Colosseum's last entry moves earlier from 1 October (17:30) and again from 25 October (15:30). It closes on 25 December and 1 January.
Source: colosseo.it - TipBorghese closures
Galleria Borghese is closed on Mondays, 25 December and 1 January.
Source: galleriaborghese.cultura.gov.it - TipBaths of Caracalla hours
Open Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00-19:15 in summer and 9:00-16:30 in winter. Closed Mondays.
Source: turismoroma.it
Words
- TipAl banco
'At the counter': drinking your coffee standing at the bar, usually the cheapest way.
Source: learnitalianpod.com - TipCoperto / pane / servizio
Cover charge / bread / service: the extras that may appear on a bill and must be on the menu.
Source: learnitalianpod.com - TipNasone
'Big nose': Rome's public drinking fountains.
Source: turismoroma.it - TipAl taglio
'By the cut': pizza sold in slices by weight.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipGuanciale
Cured pork jowl, the base of carbonara, amatriciana and gricia.
Source: guide.michelin.com - TipBIT
Rome's standard EUR 1.50 bus, tram and metro ticket (Biglietto Integrato a Tempo).
Source: atac.roma.it
Checked September 2026. Every item links to where it came from.