Is Rome touristy?
Yes!
Should you skip it?
I don’t think so!
The ancient ground and heritage buildings in Rome have been crazily washed out over time. But each year, nearly three million people flocked to Rome from all parts of the world and nearby regions such as Florence, Naples, Venice, or Milan with a quick train ride away.
A lot of people asked me if they should really go to Rome or just skip it.
Well, if they tell me they are a nature enthusiast, then it’s definitely not a good choice to spend two or more days in Rome. But if you’re really into history and insanely cool Roman ‘stuff’ such as their techniques of building massive landmarks that stand the test of time, you should definitely give it a go.
There’s a strong Roman Catholicism everywhere you go. The food is amazing even though the top-tier restaurants and gelato shops are frequently packed and demand reservation, it’s still really worth it.
So anyway, this is my ‘Bible in Rome’ for your next adventure in this iconic city. I’ll cover how to get around, food spots, and where to stay.
How To Travel From Leonardo da Vinci Airport To The Downtown Core?
By Leonardo Express Train
This one goes from Leonardo da Vinci Airport to Roma Termini Station
Operating hours: 6:30 am to 11:30 pm.
Fare: approximately €14 per person one way without limits on luggage size and weight.
Frequency: every 15 to 30 minutes.
Tickets can be purchased online in advance. Integrated Metrebus tickets are NOT valid on Leonardo express trains.
By Terravision Public Bus
This one goes from Leonardo da Vinci Airport to Piazza Cavour and Roma Termini Station.
Operating Hours: The Terravision bus service aligns with flight schedules, operating from early morning to late at night.
Fares: The one-way fare is approximately €5.8 one way.
Frequency: every hour.
By Taxi And Uber
Taxi from the Leonardo da Vinci Airport to downtown is about €48. It’s roughly €65 for an Uber ride.
Where To Leave Your Luggage In Rome?
Reserve a slot beforehand at a Luggage Deposit Station so you can travel hands-free. The spot is not too far from Roma Termini Station. The rate is priced by person, and you can come back to check or access your luggage at any time.
Getting Around Rome
The downtown core of Rome is easily covered within ten to 30 minutes between major attractions. Some others, let’s say the Vatican for example, needs a subway ride as it’s further afield.
That being said, if your fitness level agrees, try walking and you’ll make the most of your day. Too much traveling on public transport may increase your chance of encountering pickpockets.
By Metro Rome (Metro, Tram, Bus)
One of the best things about public transport in Rome is that it allows you to cover three different means of transportation (metro, trams, and regular buses) with one ticket only.
How Much Is The Metro Rome Ticket?
One-way: €1.5 is valid for 100 minutes of travel on buses, metro, and subway lines, including transfers between Metro lines and buses. Prices are subject to change so make sure to double-check my suggested rate before you set out.
Daily (24 hours): €7 is valid for use of buses, metro, and subway lines until 24:00 of the same day.
Two-day (48 hours): €12.5 is valid for use of buses, metro, and subway lines until 24:00 of the next day.
Three-day (72 hours): €18 is valid for use of buses, metro, and subway lines until 24:00 of the third day.
Weekly: €24.
Prices are subject to change so use my ideas above as references only.
Where Can You Buy A Metro Rome Ticket?
You can purchase Metro tickets from ticket machines at Metro stations, newsstands, tobacco shops (Tabaccheria), and online through official apps. Make sure to have your ticket ready before boarding the Metro.
Note that some Tabaccheria are not open in the afternoon. In this case, make sure you have your ticket purchased in time and still valid if you need to ride the public transport multiple times a day.
By Subway
Subway in Rome is known by the name Metropolitana which is broken down into two lines: A and B (color-coded).
Metro Line A: Orange
Direction: Northwest – Southeast, covering important landmarks such as Vatican City, Spanish Steps, Ottaviano, Barberini, Piazza di Spagna, and the Termini Station.
Metro Line B: Blue
Northeast – Southwest, covering the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Eur Magliana Railway Station, Piramide Rome Metro, Basilica San Paolo, and the Termini Station.
Operating Hours: 5:30 am to 11:30 pm every day, except for Friday and Saturday when the last metro is around 1:30 am. Times are subject to change.
Rome subway tickets are available at the ticket machines at the stations. Before entering the subway, insert your tickets into the validation machines.
Bus Routes In Rome
That being said, if your fitness level starts to disappoint after a long day walking, then check out this list where I rounded up the main bus routes that connect major subway stations to iconic landmarks.
Bus Route: 64
Direction: Stazione Termini (Termini Station) – Piazza Stazione San Pietro
Bus Route: 40
Direction: Piazza Pia – Piazza Pia
Bus Route: 87
Direction: Colosseo (Colosseum) – Piazza Pasquino
Bus Route: 70
Direction: Clodio Mazzini – Termini Station
Bus Route: 628
Direction: Piazza Mancini – Ponte dell’Industria
Rome Hop On Hop Off Bus
Looking to combine a bus ride with some sightseeing? Then a Hop On Hop Off Bus is the way to go! Check out my recommendation below to book your seat with the Rome Hop On Hop Off Bus, which takes you to the city’s proudest sites including the Vatican and the Colosseum. Another top reason why a Hop On Hop Off Bus comes in handy is the low risk of pickpockets.
Roma Pass: What Is It And Is It Worth The Money?
Yes and no.
There are two types of passes: 48 hours and 72 hours.
If you wish to cover lots of historical attractions several days in a row, it will definitely save you lots of money and cut down the wait time. A Roma Pass covers major landmarks such as the Colosseum, Castel St. Angelo, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Capitoline Museum, Baths of Caracalla, and many more. The pass excludes free tickets to the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Other than sights of interest, the Roma Pass also grants free use of public transport including buses, subway, and metro.
Most museums in Rome are closed on the first day of the week as well as on December 25, January 1, and May 1 but make sure to always double-check before you go.
3 Best Areas To Stay In Rome
Due to security concern, the best places to stay in Rome are centered around major transport hubs such as the bus or subway stations. Other than that, these central locations will surely give you relief if you have luggage to fetch between your accommodations and the trains.
Roma Termini Station: The biggest train station in Rome just a stone’s throw away from the Pantheon, Trevei Fountain, and Piazza Venezia.
Spagna Metro Station: This is the best location to shop til’ you drop. However, keep an eye close on your bags on the way home from the shops.
Vittorio Emanuele Subway Station: This is a hub of budget-friendly hotels. It also connects you to the Colosseum, the Vatican, Plaza de España, and Trevi Fountain.
What Are The Must-See Attractions In Rome?
The Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Palatine Hill, and Castel St. Angelo will introduce the best gateways to Rome. To make the most of your trip here, plan three to four full days so you won’t squeeze everything into a time-strapped journey.
Some major attractions are within walking distance if your fitness level agrees. Otherwise, a bus ride will come in handy.
Here is a comprehensive list of Rome’s best places to visit.
A Brief List Of Rome’s Best Food Spots: Gelato, Carbonara, Pizzas, and More
- La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro: A centrally located cafe where the locals go crazy with its classic iced granita with whipped cream layers.
- Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffè: another heavyweight with a proximity to the Pantheon where dedicated baristas whisk away the finest cups of joe out of home-roast beans using water from an ancient aqueduct.
- Old Bridge Gelateria: Undoubtedly the #1 gelato shop in Rome with its curated selection of fresh fruit-based flavors.
- Giolitti Ice Cream: Founded in 1900, a celebrity-friendly ice cream shop located in a small alley near the Pantheon.
- Palazzo del Freddo Giovanni Fassi (Gelateria Fassi – Gelato artigianale a Roma dal 1880): The oldest ice cream shop in Rome.
- Osteria Barberini: Classic house of pasta and lasagna. It’s famous for its traditional black truffle recipes. Reservations are required.
5 Essential Tips For First-Time Visitors To Rome
- Famous sites such as the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica require reservations so make sure you plan your trip around these visits wisely after your tickets are officially confirmed with the accurate entry time.
- It goes the same way for famous restaurants as their seats sell out fast.
- Once you have the itinerary fixed for the top-rated attractions and restaurants, then fill in the gap with other stops and shopping spots.
- Autumn is the best time to visit Rome, especially around September and October when the air is crisp and pleasant weather makes it easy for you to hit the road from dusk till dawn.
- Late October until the end of the year is winter in Rome with heavy downpours on a daily basis. If you don’t mind packing splash-proof clothes, backpacks, and ponchos, then this is a stellar time to travel off-season.
I hope you find this handy travel guide to Rome as helpful as I did. And of course, this article is only a brief introduction where I concentrate on transport. Dig into detailed guides on things to do, food spots, and hotels that I mentioned under each section for more details.
Happy exploring!