Rome's public transport is run mainly by ATAC: three metro lines (A, B/B1, C), 6 tram lines, hundreds of bus routes and three urban railways (Roma-Lido, Roma-Viterbo, Termini-Centocelle). The metro skirts rather than crosses the historic centre, so buses, trams and walking cover most of the centro storico. Since 16 Dec 2025 Metro C reaches Colosseo-Fori Imperiali (interchange with Line B) via the new Porta Metronia station. One integrated Metrebus ticket works across ATAC and Trenitalia regional trains within Rome.
Paying: Tap&Go contactless bank card or phone (or paper/app BIT ticket)
How to buy
Tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Maestro, JCB or UnionPay card, or Apple/Google/Samsung Pay, on the gate reader in metro stations and on the validator on every bus and tram; tap again each time you board a new vehicle. One card per person. Paper BIT tickets and 24/48/72h passes are sold at metro machines, tabacchi and in the ATAC Roma app; ATAC plans to phase out magnetic paper tickets from 2027.
Fares
BIT single ticket EUR 1.50, valid 100 minutes on buses and trams, but only one metro ride within that window. Tap&Go caps automatically at EUR 8.50 (Roma 24H price) after five single fares in 24 hours. Passes: Roma 24H EUR 8.50, 48H EUR 15, 72H EUR 22, weekly CIS EUR 29 (ATAC, 2026). BIT is also valid on Roma-Lido trains to Ostia Antica and on Trenitalia trains within the city, but not on the Leonardo Express.
Lines and services
- MetroMetro Line A (orange)
Northwest-southeast: Battistini - Ottaviano (Vatican) - Spagna - Barberini - Termini - San Giovanni - Anagnina (bus to Ciampino).
- MetroMetro Line B/B1 (blue)
Rebibbia/Jonio - Termini - Cavour - Colosseo - Circo Massimo - Piramide (Roma-Lido train) - Garbatella - EUR.
- MetroMetro Line C (green)
Driverless line from the eastern suburbs via Pigneto and San Giovanni (change for A) to Porta Metronia and Colosseo-Fori Imperiali (change for B); the two archaeological museum-stations opened 16 Dec 2025. Extension to Piazza Venezia is under construction.
- TramTram 8
Most useful tram for visitors: Piazza Venezia/Largo Argentina - Trastevere (Viale Trastevere) - Monteverde - Casaletto. Tram 2 serves Flaminio, trams 3 and 19 serve Villa Borghese/Coppede area. Periodic closures for works are replaced by buses.
- BusATAC buses
Key lines: 40 and 64 Termini - Largo Argentina - St Peter's; H Termini - Trastevere; 118 Circo Massimo - Appia Antica; 910 Termini - Villa Borghese; 170 Termini - Testaccio. Board by any door and tap or validate immediately.
- TrainRoma-Lido urban railway
From Porta San Paolo (Metro B Piramide) to Ostia Antica and the beach at Ostia; covered by BIT/Tap&Go.
- TaxiLicensed white taxis
Only take taxis from official ranks or call 060609 or use the itTaxi/FREE NOW apps; minimum fare EUR 9 in the city (2024 tariff). Fixed airport fares apply (see transfers).
- Ride-hailingUber / FREE NOW
Uber in Rome is limited to licensed NCC cars and taxis, so it is not cheaper than a taxi.
- BikeE-bikes and e-scooters (Lime, Dott and others)
App-based sharing; cobblestones and traffic make e-scooters risky in the centro; helmets required on e-scooters under 2024 road rules.
Common trips
TerminiColosseum8 min
Metro B from Termini to Colosseo (2 stops)
- Bus 75 (about 15 min)
- Walk via Via Cavour (about 25 min)
TerminiVatican Museums25 min
Metro A from Termini to Ottaviano or Cipro, then 10 min walk
- Bus 40 or 64 to St Peter's, then walk 15 min
- Taxi about 20 min
ColosseumPantheon25 min
Walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali and Piazza Venezia
- Bus 87 from Colosseo toward Largo Argentina
- Taxi 10 min
Largo Argentina / PantheonTrastevere10 min
Tram 8 from Largo Argentina to Belli or Mastai (2-3 stops)
- Walk via Ponte Sisto or Ponte Garibaldi (15-20 min)
TerminiTrastevere20 min
Bus H from Termini to Viale Trastevere
- Bus 40 or 64 to Largo Argentina, then tram 8
- FL1/FL3 train is not direct from Termini; use Ostiense then tram
Spanish StepsVatican Museums20 min
Metro A from Spagna to Ottaviano (3 stops), then 10 min walk
- Walk via Ponte Cavour and Via Crescenzio (35 min)
TerminiGalleria Borghese20 min
Bus 910 from Termini to Via Pinciana/Museo Borghese
- Metro A to Spagna or Flaminio, then 20 min walk through Villa Borghese
- Taxi 10-15 min
Centro (Colosseum)Testaccio15 min
Metro B from Colosseo to Piramide (2 stops), then 5-10 min walk
- Bus 170 from Termini to Via Marmorata
- Walk via Circus Maximus and the Aventine (30 min)
Circo MassimoAppia Antica / Catacombs20 min
Bus 118 from Circo Massimo (Metro B) along the Appia Antica
- Walk from Porta San Sebastiano (60+ min)
- Bike hire at the park
TerminiOstia Antica50 min
Metro B to Piramide, then Roma-Lido train from Porta San Paolo to Ostia Antica; one BIT/Tap&Go fare
- Taxi about 35-45 min
ColosseumBaths of Caracalla15 min
Walk past the Circus Maximus
- Metro B Colosseo to Circo Massimo, then 5 min walk
San GiovanniPigneto8 min
Metro C from San Giovanni to Pigneto (2 stops)
- Tram 14 or 19 from Termini/Porta Maggiore
Vatican (St Peter's)Trastevere25 min
Walk along Via della Lungara
- Bus 23 or 115
TerminiQuartiere Coppede / Villa Torlonia20 min
Bus 90 or 60 along Via Nomentana
- Tram 3 or 19 to Piazza Buenos Aires
To and from the airport
FCO
- Train · 32 minEUR 14 (2026)
Leonardo Express non-stop to Roma Termini, about every 15-30 min, from about 05:38 to 00:23 from the airport. Validate the ticket before boarding.
- Train · 30 minEUR 8 (2026)
FL1 regional train to Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina (not Termini); cheaper and better for Trastevere or Testaccio; last departure from FCO around 22:42.
- Bus · 55 minEUR 5.90-7 (2026)
Terravision, SIT, TAM and Cotral shuttles to Termini; slower in traffic, useful for late-night flights.
- Taxi · 45 minEUR 55 fixed fare to/from anywhere inside the Aurelian Walls, up to 4 passengers with luggage (tariff set July 2024, confirmed 2026)
Use only Rome Capital white taxis at the official rank and confirm the fixed fare before leaving.
CIA
- Bus · 40 minAbout EUR 7 (2026)
Direct airport shuttles (Terravision, SIT, others) to Termini.
- Train · 35 minAbout EUR 2.70 combined (2026)
Ciampino Airlink: short bus to Ciampino railway station, then regional train to Termini; there is no rail station at the airport.
- Bus · 50 minEUR 1.50 BIT
ATAC bus 520 to Metro A Cinecitta or 720 to Metro B Laurentina; BIT valid.
- Taxi · 30 minEUR 40 fixed fare to/from inside the Aurelian Walls (2026)
Official white taxis only.
Good to know
- Tap your own card on every bus and tram you board, even on a transfer, or you can be fined as travelling without a ticket.
- A BIT covers only one metro ride; a second metro entry after exiting costs another fare.
- Pickpockets work on bus 40/64 and Metro A near Termini and Ottaviano; keep bags zipped and in front.
- Much of the centro storico is a limited traffic zone (ZTL); never drive a rental car into it.
- Rome residents' discounts (Pantheon, civic museums, Trevi) require ID showing residence; tourist passes do not qualify.
Useful apps
- ATAC Roma (tickets and passes)
- Moovit
- Citymapper
- itTaxi
- FREE NOW
- Trenitalia (Leonardo Express and regional trains)