- Visiting Rome, Italy, is easy thanks to a major airport and well-connected public transit.
- I live in Rome full time — here are key tips I've learned to navigate the sprawling city with ease.
- Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations.
Getting to Rome is easy and always has been. Just as all roads lead to Rome, all flight paths and trains do, too, and new technology has made it even easier.
I've lived here full time for the past two decades, and in the process, gathered important tips to navigate this sprawling city with ease.
Getting to Rome
The Eternal city is serviced by two main airports Fiumicino FCO (20 miles southwest of the city center) and Ciampino CIA (10 miles southeast). It is most likely that you'll be flying into FCO, Italy's main international gateway. It's also the busiest airport, hosting more than 45 carriers, including nonstop flights from New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, and more. CIA primarily hosts budget and low-cost airlines, as well as private jets.
From the airport, getting into the city requires just a bit of planning, depending on which you choose. Personally, I find flying into FCO the most efficient option because it has many trains, shuttle buses, and taxis available for every budget.
Trains
Trenitalia offers rail service from the in-airport train station at FCO to the city center with the direct 30-minute Leonardo Express to Stazione Termini (Rome's main train station) and commuter line to Stazione Trastevere (more convenient for addresses in Trastevere, Testaccio, and Vatican neighborhoods). Tickets cost 8 euro for FCO-Trastevere, 14 euro for FCO-Termini 14. Children under 10 travel for free.
Though Ciampino is closer to Rome, train transport into the city is less than ideal, since you'll need to first take a bus to the nearby station and then a train to the city center. The best solution is either taxi or a shuttle bus.
Taxi and Car Services
From either airport, you can also easily get to the city center with an official licensed taxi. The City of Rome set flat fees when traveling "inside the walls": 50 euro for FCO-centro and 31 euro CIA-centro. (Inside the walls means anywhere within the Aurelian walls, this includes neighborhoods Monti, Testaccio, Trastevere, and the Centro Storico.) It's also important to note that after the first bag, there is a bag charge of 1 euro per bag. I suggest downloading taxi apps FreeNow and itTaxi.
Can you Uber? Technically, yes, but you have to book far in advance. For white-glove treatment, there are several hired car services, including RomeHireCarService and RomeLuxuryHire.
Buses
Both airports host shuttle buses to/from Fiumicino and Ciampino airports and the city center with points including Termini Station and the Vatican neighborhood. Rates are extremely competitive (usually under 7 euro) and require advance purchase.
Getting Around Rome
Rome is incredibly walkable. I love aimlessly walking around a neighborhood and stumbling into a charming pizza place, gorgeous monument, a tiny street, or just people-watching. Comfortable shoes and a half hour will take you across the city center easily, but if you want to explore the outer-rim areas, you'll need to familiarize yourself with public transportation or take a taxi.
Public Transport
Rome has a decent network of public transport (buses, trams, and metros). All you need is a validated ticket and patience. Google Maps provides the most updated arrival times and directions, distances, and connections. The 48-hour and 72-hour public transport passes cover bus, metro, and tram, and can be purchased at newsstands, tabacchi (tobacco and convenience store), and metro and train stations. They cannot be purchased on the bus or tram. For fun, I've always liked the city's sightseeing buses as a means to both see sites and get across town.
Car Services
Taxis, especially when hailed by apps with geolocation, are probably the best solution to getting around the city because they will pick you up and deliver you to exact locations, and you can track the taxi and pay through the app. By law, all taxis must accept credit cards, but I suggest keeping small bills on hand in case the pos non funziona (the point-of-sale device) doesn't work.
Electric Scooters and Bicycles
You'll probably notice electric scooters and bikes around the city. Dott, Bird, Lime, Helbiz, Link, Voiager are the major operators. All you have to do is log into the app of your choice and go. Keep in mind that you have to follow the rules: There is no riding in tandem, no traveling the wrong way on one-way streets, and a maximum speed of 20 kilometers an hour (6 km/h on sidewalks and in pedestrian areas), otherwise you will be fined.
View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting Rome.