Rome Transportation Tips by Marpessa

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: While in Italy I travelled from city to city on the trains - Trenitalia. I used both the Inter City trains and the Eurostar. The Eurostar trains get between destinations faster (as they have fewer stops) and in general are kept in better condition than the Inter City ones. The trains I went on had either restaurant cars or snack bars on board.

To get to Rome I came by train from Milan - an Inter City train - this took me 6 hours. Next time I think I would take the Eurostar - which only takes 4.5 hours. After leaving Rome I took a Eurostar train to Florence - a much nicer way to travel!

I had a railpass when I was in Italy, which was very handy. Although on some trips when I wanted to book a seat I had to pay a few euro extra - but it was either that or run the risk of standing up for a few hours. If you plan on doing a bit of train traveling while in Italy, I recommend getting a rail pass as this can save you money.

The website below is very helpful, you can look up timetables of the trains, prices and even book your tickets online.

Warning: Just beware at Roma Termini of people coming up and asking for your change (I had a lady stick her hands in my face) or people who are just standing around the station trying to sell you their tickets - it's most likely not legit.

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Website: www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: By bus is a good way to travel in Rome (although I only traveled this way twice, so I am not an expert), I liked it better than the metro. The main bus terminal is right in front of the main train station – Roma Termini. When I went with my friends we bought tickets that lasted for 75 minutes and cost us 1€. But just be sure that when you get on the bus that you validate your ticket. If it is not validated you make get a fine if it is checked.

Buses run from early in the morning until around midnight – but in some areas there are night buses as well. Check out the website below for more information on different types of tickets, and the different routes that the buses travel along.

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Website: http://www.atac.roma.it/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: I used the metro once to get to the Vatican Museum. We got on at Barberini and got off at Ottaviano. It was very crowded and it was also very hot. The one we were on looked a bit old and 'worn'. But I did notice we passed another train and it looked fairly new and very nice - so I guess some of the trains are nice, some not as much. :) To use the metro you get a ticket from the machines at each stop, validate it at the machine and then go through the barrier. As with any public transport where it is crowded, just mind your belongings (purse/wallet, phone, etc.).

Although, for some reason my ticket wouldn't let me through the barrier - and I had validated it and everything, but luckily there was a guard there (who had seen me buying my ticket) and let me through.

To find a metro stop just look for the logo - a red square with a white 'M' on it.

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Website: http://www.atac.roma.it/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: I only used a taxi service once while in Rome, because I was out at night and didn’t want to walk near Roma Termini in the dark on my own. I was worried it was going to cost me a lot. But a trip that took me about 7mins cost me around 6€, I think. My driver was really nice, she didn’t speak much English, but I was able to give her the address of my hostel and she did take the shortest route there (was worried I might have been taken ‘the long way round’ – but no, not in this case :) ). Taxi’s are very comfortable and the cars I saw all looked pretty new. Only use the ‘official taxi’s’ – they should be white cars with a taxi sign on the roof.

Also there is an extra fee (surcharge) for taking a taxi between 10pm and 7am, and also a fee baggage (suitcases, etc.).

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