How to Get Around Rome

Rome, wonderful Rome, with its artistic treasures, architecture, noisy markets and romantic corners. And its traffic congestion....

Here we are going to explore the best way to get around Rome and enjoy its wonders to the full with, hopefully, minimum frustration on the roads.

Car and Motorcycle

Getting around Rome can be absolutely terrifying but it can also be fun and exhilarating. And of course given the perpetual gridlock at times totally pointless.

One of the easiest ways to get around this wonderful city is on a scooter. This form of transport admittedly can be scary but you will have much more freedom and in fact may have a chance of parking your vehicle.

The main thing to keep in mind is that most of the historic center is closed to normal traffic. Unless you are a resident or have special permission you cannot drive in the center of Rome from 6.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 2pm to 6pm on a Saturday.

Parking in Rome is no fun at all. Blue lines show the pay and display spaces and tickets can be purchased from meters or tobacconists (tabacchi).

If you are unlucky enough to have your car towed away you will need to check with the traffic police on telephone number 0667691.

Public Transport

This is the way to go in my opinion for hassle free travel in Rome.

Thanks to the integrated public transport system you can use the same ticket for all types of transport that includes the suburban railway, metro, tram, and bus.

Tickets can be purchased at main bus stops, news -stands, vending machines and tabacchi.

Types of travel ticket

A Single 1 Euro ticket gives you 75 minutes of travel on any transport but you can only use the metro once.

A daily ticket costs 4 Euro and gives you unlimited travel.

A three- day ticket costs 11 Euro.

A weekly ticket costs 16 Euro.

You must purchase the tickets before travel and they have to be validated in the yellow machine or for the metro at the entrance gate.

Should you try to ride the transport without a ticket you will be given an on the spot fine of 50 Euro.

The buses and trams in Rome are run by ATAC and can be contacted either by going to their website www.atac.roma.it or by phoning 06 5 70 03.

Piazza dei Cinqucento, the main bus station is located in front of Stazione Termini and here you will find an information booth.

The buses in Rome generally run from around 5.30am until midnight but there are limited services through the night.

The Metro has two lines, A and B, and these both run through Termini.

Line A will take you to the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Vatican.

Line B will take you to the Colosseum.

Taxi

Should you wish to travel by taxi you can find one at airports and major taxi ranks. Please note in Rome you are not allowed to 'hail' a taxi.

Always use a taxi that is licensed and metered if you want to lessen the risk of being ripped off.

Official fare rates are posted in the taxi.

Here are some taxi numbers that you can phone:

Cosmos - 06 8 81 77

La Capitale - 06 49 94

Pronto Taxi -06 66 45

Radio Taxi - 06 35 70

Samarcanda -06 55 70

Tevere - 06 41 57

Source: Europe on a Shoestring by Lonely Planet