Rome

By boat

Most cruise ships dock in Civitavecchia, to afford their passengers opportunity to visit the area and/or Rome. Many ships arrange a shuttle bus to and from the port entrance. From there you can walk 10-15 minutes to the Civitavecchia train station. Purchase of a B.I.R.G. round trip train ticket for Rome costs just €9 (as of Fall 2008), and also entitles you to unlimited use of Rome's Metro/underground and bus lines. Trains for commuters leave every hour or so, and take about 80 minutes. You can get off near St. Peters, or continue to the Termini station right downtown, where countless buses and the Metro await. At some ten times the cost, ships often offer bus transport as well, taking 2 hours or so to reach Rome depending on traffic.

It is now possible for modest-sized cruise ships to dock in the new Porto di Roma, Ostia, located 20 kilometers from Rome and linked by train and metro. Stations are not within practical walking distance from the pier.

Ferry services

• Grimaldi Lines. Provides ferry service to/from Barcelona, Tunis, Toulon (France), Porto-Vecchio (Corsica).
• Moby. Provides service to/from Olbia, Sardinia.

By car

Driving to Rome is quite easy; as they say, all roads lead to Rome. The city is ringed by a motorway, the Grande Raccordo Anulare or GRA. If you are going to the very centre of the city any road leading off the GRA will get you there. If you are going anywhere else, however, a GPS or a good map is essential. Signs on the GRA indicate the name of the road leading to the centre (e.g. Via Appia Nuova, Via Aurelia, Via Tiburtina) but this is useful only for Romans who know where these roads pass.

By plane

Rome ( for all airports) has two main international airports:

• Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino International Airport (Rome Fiumicino, ) - Rome's main airport is modern, large, rather efficient, and well connected to the center of the city by public transportation. However, late-night arrivals may limit you to an irregular bus into town unless you can afford a taxi.
• Ciampino International Airport (Rome Ciampino, ) - Located to the southeast of the capital, this is the city's low-cost airline airport, serving Easyjet, Ryanair and Wizzair flights, among others (see Discount airlines in Europe). This small airport is closer to the city center than Fiumicino but has no direct train connection. There are plans to move the low-cost airport much further out of Rome, but this is unlikely for some years. Note that at Ciampino cash machines are available only in the departures area. This is a relatively small airport and it closes overnight. You will be locked out of the airport until it opens again for the first check-in around 4:30 or 5AM. Flying into Ciampino try to sit on the right of the plane, which will fly just to the east of the centre of the city. Reaching Rome you first see the River Tiber and then the Olympic Stadium, Castel Sant' Angelo, St Peter's and the Vatican and the Colosseum. Before touchdown you fly parallel with the old Appian Way, the tree-lined road on a slight incline about 1km to the right of the flightpath.

Public Airport Transportation

• Leonardo Express trains leave every 30 minutes to the central train station Roma Termini (35 minute trip). Return trains from Roma Termini depart from Track 24 on the right. Tickets cost €14 and are available at the counter as well as the Termini news stand. Tickets sold at the departure platform are more expensive. You can't buy a ticket for a specific train; it's just a general ticket for a specific route (Termini), but it's good for any time. Get your ticket stamped in a yellow validation machine just before using it. The ticket will expire 90 minutes after validation.
• The Metropolitan train does not stop at Termini. Get off at Tiburtina Station or, before that, at Ostiense Station where you can connect to Line B of the Rome Metro, or get off at Trastevere Station and from there take the '8' tram (direction 'Argentina') to go to Largo Argentina and Campo de' Fiori. Tickets are €11, plus €1 for a metro/tram ticket. The extra cost of the Leonardo Express is for the convenience of a direct ride to Termini. If you are going somewhere else on the Metro, Tiburtina and Ostiense are as convenient. Get your ticket stamped in a yellow validation machine just before using it.

• COTRAL/Schiaffini operates buses from both airports to the city. Don't forget to mark your ticket after getting on the bus; if the machine doesn't work (which is fairly common), you have to write your name, birth date and current date & time on the ticket.

• Aeroporto-Termini-Tiburtina (€3.60)

The schedule for Aeroporto-Termini-Tiburtina is:

:from Fiumicino: 1:15, 2:15, 3:30, 5:00, 10:55, 12:00, 15:30

:from Tiburtina: 0:30, 1:15, 2:30, 3:45, 9:30, 10:00

• Aeroporto-Roma Cornelia (metro A) (€2.80) (schedule)
• Aeroporto-Roma Magliana (metro B) (€1.60) (schedule)
• Aeroporto-Ostia Lido (€1) (schedule)
• Aeroporto-Fregene (€1) (schedule)
• Aeroporto-Fiumicino (città) (€0.77) (schedule)

• Sit bus shuttle runs a line that costs €6 one-way or €10 with return (approx. 40 min, with about 25 services a day).
• Terravision. Please note that this is a dedicated airport-city transfer only for the major low-cost airlines. The price is €6 one-way or €12 return when booked online (approx. 40 min, with a service every 30 min). It is advised that passengers on the return trip from Termini board the bus 3 hours before their flight's departure time.
• COTRAL's direct line costs €5 one-way (approx. 40 min), but has far fewer departures than Terravision. These buses are not mentioned on the airport website yet, but you can find them on Schiaffini's own site. This bus may be useful if you arrive at a time when the Metro is closed.

Private Airport Transportation

By train

Rome's main railway station is Termini Station. Like any other train station, it is not very safe at night. It is also locked up between 00:30 and 04:30, when the only people hanging around outside are taxi drivers and the homeless. Most long-distance trains passing through Rome between these times will stop at Tiburtina station instead.

Other main stations include Ostiense, Trastevere, Tuscolana, Tiburtina.

By car

In a nutshell: Don't do it. Well, some people actually enjoy it. Roman traffic is chaotic, but it is possible to drive there. However, the roads are not logical and the signs are few. It will take a few weeks to understand where to drive, to get where you want to go. When driving in Rome it is important to accept that Italians drive in a very pragmatic way. Taking turns and letting people go in front of you is rare. There is little patience so if the light is green when you go into the intersection and you are too slow they will let you know. A green light turning to amber is a reason to accelerate, not brake, in part because the lights usually stay amber for several seconds. If you brake immediately when the light changes you are likely to get rear-ended. Parking is scarce. Rome is plagued with people who demand money to direct you to a space, even on the rare occasions when there are many places available. While in Rome, it is far better to travel by bus or metro, or (in extremis) take a taxi.

If you are driving in the center, note that many areas are limited to people with special electronic passes. If you go into these areas (which are camera controlled and marked with the sign ZTL) you may end up with a fine, particularly if your car has Italian plates.

By commuter rail

There is a network of suburban rail lines that mostly connect to smaller towns and conurbations of Rome. Tourists are unlikely to use these, except when arriving from Fiumicino, but they can be very convenient if you fancy a day-trip out of Rome (see Get Out)

By foot

Once you're in the center, you are best off on foot. What could be more romantic than strolling through Rome on foot holding hands? That is hard to beat!

Crossing a street in Rome can be a bit challenging. There are crosswalks, but they are rarely located at signaled intersections. Traffic can be intimidating, but if you are at a crosswalk just start walking and cars will let you cross the street. While crossing watch out for the thousands of mopeds. As in many European cities, even if the cars and trucks are stationary due to a jam or for another legal reason, mopeds and bikes will be trying to squeeze through the gaps and may be ignoring the reason why everyone else has stopped. This means that even if the traffic seems stationary you need to pause and look around into the gaps.

By public transport (ATAC)

Tickets must be bought (from a 'Tabacchi' - look for the big 'T' sign, these shops are plentiful, or from a kiosk selling newspapers), before you board the bus, Metro, or tram. Metro stations have automated ticket kiosks, and major Metro stations have clerked ticket windows. Some of the rare trams have single ticket machines as well. Tickets for regular ATAC buses, Metro, and trams are the same fares and are compatible with each other. Options as of March 2010 were the following:

• a single ticket ride ('Biglietto') - €1 - you can change buses or into and out of the metro on one journey (valid for 75 minutes)
• Integrated Daily Ticket ('Biglietto Giornaliero') - €4 (Valid until midnight).
• Integrated Tourist Ticket ('Biglietto Turistico') (3-day) - €11
• Integrated Weekly Ticket ('Carta Integrata Settimanale') (7-day) - €16
• Monthly Pass ('Abbonamento Mensile') - €30
• Annual Pass ('Abbonamento Annuale') - €230

Bus

• One of the most popular and useful lines is the 40, which arches from the Termini station through the historic center and then up to the Castel Sant'Angelo, near the Vatican. It is considered an express route, so its stops are spaced about 1/2 mile (2/3 km) apart; but it is also very frequent, very convenient for most places that the Metro does not go to, and very fast moving, especially compared to other routes.

• The 64 also goes from Termini to the Vatican. Beware, it is a favourite with pickpockets.

• The 116 and 117 are little electric buses which wind through the Centro Storico.

• Night buses could be useful due to the closing of the Metro stations at 23:30 and the stopping of regular lines of buses and trams at midnight. During the summer (until 23rd September) and on Fridays and Saturdays, the frequency of the rides is halved, which can vary among 10, 15, 30 and 35 minutes depending on the line. In any case they are much more punctual than during the day, as traffic is much less jammed. This makes the drivers drive at high speeds, allowing passengers to experience a strange mixture of adrenaline and (the city's) classical views. Hubs of the night buses are Termini and Piazza Venezia.

Hop on / Hop off Buses

• GLT or the Green Line (but the busses are actually grey). No A/C on the lower deck and the audio of the tour is done by multiple different recorded voices and not activated by GPS so it's very disjointed and random, sparse and unhelpful. For example it tells you too late about things you just went past. There is very little audio content, it's mostly silence (in the English audio anyway) Also they don't have many busses compared to the other companies as far as I could see.
• 101 is the red bus

Tram

Metro

By taxi

Taxis are the most expensive way to get around Rome, but when weighed against convenience and speed, they are often worth it. Roman taxis run on meters, and you should always make sure the driver starts the meter. Taxis will typically pick you up only at a taxi stand, which you will find at all but the smallest piazzas, as well as at the main train station or when called by phone. Flagging down a taxi (like in London) is possible but quite rare as the taxi drivers prefer to use the stands. When you get in the cab, there will be a fixed starting charge, which will be more for late nights, Sundays and holidays. Supplements will be requested for bags that the driver has to handle, typically €1 per bag. So, if you have a limited amount of luggage that wouldn't need to go in the trunk, you may decline when the driver offers to put your bags in the trunk. Drivers may not use the shortest route, so try to follow the route with a map and discuss if you feel you're being tricked.

Be warned that when you phone for a taxi, the cab's meter starts running when it is summoned, not when it arrives to pick you up, so by the time a cab arrives at your location, there may already be a substantial amount on the meter. A major problem is that taxi drivers often leave the previous fare running on the meter. So you may find the cab arriving with €15 or even more on the meter. If you are not in a hurry you should tell him (there are very few female cab drivers in Rome) to get lost, but if you are desperate to get to the airport it's a different matter. You can get a taxi pretty easily at any piazza though, so calling ahead is really not required. A trip completely across the city (within the walls) will cost about €11 if starting at a cab rank, a little more if there is heavy traffic at night or on a Sunday. Taxi drivers can often try to trick customers by switching a €50 note for a €10 note during payment, leading you to believe that you handed them only €10 when you have already given them €50.The main taxi companies may be called at 063570, 065551, 064994, 066645 and 0688177.

On a bicycle

There is the possibility to hire any kind of bike in Rome: from tandem, road bikes, children bikes to trekking bikes. Some shops are even specialized only on high quality ones while street stands will hire you cheaper and heavy ones. Bicycling alone can be stressful because of the traffic. The best way is to discover first how to move around and avoid traffic and stress with a guide thanks to one of the tours offered by almost all rental shops. There are different itineraries offered from the basic city center, panoramic Rome tour to the Ancient Parks (from €29 for 4h). The experience is well worth it and you would reduce also your impact on the city environment and on the traffic.

Even moderately experienced cyclists, however, may find that cycling through Rome's streets offers an unparalleled way to learn the city intimately and get around very cheaply and efficiently. While the Roman traffic is certainly chaotic to someone from a country with more regimented and enforced rules of the road, Roman drivers are, generally speaking, used to seeing bicycles, as well as scooters and motorcycles, and one may move throughout the city relatively easily. If you are in a car's way, they will generally let you know with a quick beep of the horn and wait for you to move.

A particularly spectacular, and relaxing, cycle trip is to pedal out along la Via Appia Antica, the original Appian Way that linked much of Italy to Rome. Some of the original cobblestones, now worn by over 2 millenia of traffic, are still in place. With exceptionally light traffic in most sections, you can casually meander your bike over kilometres of incredible scenery and pass ancient relics and active archaeological sites throughout the journey. (Rome/South)

Some of the many rental shops:

• Punto Informativo, Via Appia Antica 58/60. From Monday to Saturday from 9.3AM to 1.30PM and from 2.00PM to 5.30PM (4.30 in wintertime) and on Sundays and holidays from 9.30AM to 5.30PM non stop (4.30 wintertime). Price: €3/hour and €10/day (info tel. 06 5126314)

• Comitato per la Caffarella (Largo Tacchi Venturi). Sundays from 10AM to 6PM. Price: €3/hour and €10/day (Info and reservations, tel. 06 789279)

• Catacombe di San Sebastiano. Every day except Sundays; Price: €3/hour and €10/day (Info tel. 06 7850350).

• TopBike Rental & Tours. Via Quattro Cantoni 40 (between Termini Station and the Colosseum). Everyday from 9.30 to 19 non-stop (For info or reservations tel. 06 4882893)

• Bici & Baci. Via del Viminale, 5 (Termini Station). Tel. 064828443

• Collalti. Via del Pellegrino, 82 (Campo de’ Fiori). Tel.0668801084

• Romarent. Vicolo dei Bovari, 7/a (Campo de’ Fiori). Tel.066896555

• Bikeaway. Via Monte del Gallo, 25 A ( Stazione FS S. Pietro). Tel.0645495816

• Bikesharing. Rome's public transport company, ATAC, operates a bike sharing scheme. The bicycles, which are green, are available at numerous locations in the downtown area and further afield. Tickets cost Euros 10, which includes a Euro 5 inscription fee. In the downtown area electronic cards can be obtained at the Metro ticket offices of Termini, Lepanto and Spagna. The rental cost is Euro 1 an hour. The application procedure is a bit cumbersome and you have to give credit card details but this is a good system if you want to move around Rome quickly and with minimal exhaustion.

On a moped

There is the possibility to hire motor bikes or scooters. Motorbikes are not particularly safe in Rome and most accidents seem to involve one (or two!). Nevertheless, Roman traffic is chaotic and a scooter provides excellent mobility within the city. Scooter rental costs between €30 and €70 per day depending on scooter size and rental company. The traffic can be intimidating and the experience exciting but a bit insane.

Some of the main rental shops:

Scoot A Long noleggio scootervia Cavour 30200193 Roma (RM)tel: 06 6780206

Centro Moto Coloseostrada statale Quattro, 46tel: 06 70451069

Eco Move RentVia Varese 48/5000185 - Roma06.44704518

Rent & Rent00184 Roma (RM)33, v. Capo d'Africatel: 06 7002915

Roma Pass

If you'll be staying in Rome for at least 3 days, consider purchasing the Roma Pass. The cost is €25 and entitles holders to free admission to the first two museums and/or archaeological sites visited, full access to the public transport system, reduced tickets and discounts for any other following museums and sites visited, as well as exhibitions, music events, theatrical and dance performances and all other tourist services.

Embassies and consulates

• Australian Embassy, Via Antonio Bosio 5, +39 06 85 2721

• Austrian Embassy, Via Pergolesi 3, 068440141

• British Embassy, Via XX Settembre 80, +39 06 4220 0001, +39 06 4220 2603 after hours

• Bulgarian Embassy, Via Pietro Polo Rubens 21, +39 06 322 46 40, +39 06 322 46 43

• Chinese Embassy, Via Bruxelles 56, +39 (0)6 8413458

• Canadian Embassy, Via Zara 30, +39 06 44598 1

• Croatian Embassy, Via Luigi Bodio 74/76, +39 06 363 07650

• Danish Embassy, Via dei Monti Parioli 50, +39 06 9774 831

• Dutch Embassy, Via Michele Mercati 8, +39 06 3228 6001

• Estonian Embassy, Ambasciata di Estonia, Viale Liegi 28 int. 5, +39 06 844 075 10

• Finnish Embassy, Ambasciata di Finlandia, Via Lisbona 3, +39 06 852 231

• French Embassy

• German Embassy, Ambasciata di Germania, Via San Martino della Battaglia 4, +39 06 49 213-1

• Greek Embassy, Ambasciata di Grecia, Via S. Mercadante 36, +39 06 853 7551

• Indian Embassy, Via XX Settembre, 5, 00187 Rome (Italy), +39 06 4884642/3/4/5

• Irish Embassy

• Macedonian Embassy, Via Bruxelles 73/75, 00198 Rome, +39 06 8419868, +39 06 84241109

• Maltese Embassy, Lungotevere Marzio 12, +39 06 6879990

• Embassy of Malaysia, Via Nomentana, 297, +39 06 8415764

• New Zealand Embassy, Via Zara 28, +39 06 441 7171

• Norwegian Embassy

• Embassy of Serbia and Montenegro, Via dei Monti Parioli 20, +39 06 320 07 96, +39 06 320 08 90, +39 06 320 09 59, +39 06 320 08 05 (all night)telex 616-303

• Polish Embassy, Via P.P.Rubens, 20, +39 06 36 20 42 00, +39 06 36 20 42 04, +39 06 36 20 42 17

• Romanian Embassy, Via Nicolo Tartaglia, 36, +39 06 808 45 29, +39 06 807 88 07, +39 06 808 35 37

• Russian Embassy,

• Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore, Via Nazionale, 200,00184 Rome, +39 06 4875 9510

• South African Embassy, Via Tanaro 14, +39 06 85 25 41

• Spanish Embassy, Palazzo Borghese, Largo Fontanella di Borghese 19, +39 06 684 04 011

• Turkish Embassy

• US Embassy