Touring the bustling streets of Rome can be an adventure, but all those fares and rideshare costs add up. However, with the right knowledge, you can explore the Eternal City without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for affordable transportation in Rome, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you take the metro, rent a bike or take the bus to the airport, here’s how you can save money on transportation in Rome.

Related: 11 easy ways to save money on your trip to Italy

Public transportation options in Rome

Rome offers a variety of transportation options to help you get around, but they vary in cost and convenience.

Rome’s metro system

Take the cheap train to the city centre. Photo: Mauricio Atida

Rome’s metro system is small, with only three lines. This is because the city is filled with important archaeological remains, making it challenging to excavate and expand the subway. The metro may be small but mighty, and many visitors will find it completely satisfying, taking you to all of the city’s biggest attractions.

Rome’s 3 metro lines include:

• Line A (red/orange): This is one of the most popular routes, especially for tourists. From this route you can go to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.
• Line B (blue): For visitors who want to visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with this metro line.
• Line C (green): The C line connects downtown to the east side and is of little use to tourists and is best used by locals.

The metro is often the fastest way to get around a city, with convenient stops near major attractions.

Buses and trams

Trams help get to less touristy areas. Photo: Hynek Janá?

Buses are crucial to reach areas not covered by the metro. Rome has over 350 bus lines and this affordable transportation is essential for getting around the city. Travelers are most likely to use the City Line (U), but if you’re taking a day trip outside of Rome, you can take the Night Bus (N) for late-night travel or the Express (X) Bus.

The city also has six tram lines, although these are less useful for tourists as they generally do not reach the city center. If you do need to take a tram, you can find a tram map on the Rome Tourism website.

Rome public transport fares

ATAC (Rome’s public transport company) offers a wide range of affordable ticket options:

• 100-minute ticket (BIT) for metro, bus, tram and city trains: €1.50
• 24-hour ticket: €7
• 48-hour ticket: €12.50
• 72-hour ticket: 18 euros
• Weekly pass: €24
• Monthly pass: 35 euros

Note to readers: As transport details are subject to change, be sure to double-check current prices and services before departure.

where to buy tickets

If you want to use public transportation in Rome, you need to know where to buy your tickets. You can buy it from ticket vending machines at subway stations or bus terminals, some of which provide English translation. These machines usually accept cash (accurate amounts – no change here!) and/or card payments. You can also buy transport tickets at various shops throughout the city, such as tabacchi (tobacco shops) and newsagents.

How to pay for a transport ticket in Rome

You no longer need to pay cash for tickets at the corner shop. Today, there are many convenient ways to buy metro, bus and tram tickets in Rome.

New ways to buy tickets include the Tap&Go system, which allows you to use contactless credit or debit cards at subway turnstiles (meaning no need to insert a chip or swipe your card!) or even directly from your wallet on your smartphone. You can also use a mobile app; ATAC recommends MooneyGo, Tabnet, TicketAppy, Dropticket or Telepass Pay.

Practical tips for using public transport in Rome

Now you know what to expect when you buy your transit ticket and ride the line. But when it comes time to actually use your ticket and take the train, be sure to follow these tips to avoid fines or missing your train or bus.

1. Always verify your ticket When boarding a bus or tram. To do this, insert your ticket into the yellow machine on the bus or the machine near the tram door. If you fail to validate your ticket, you could face a fine of 50 to 100 euros, completely undoing all the hard work you’ve put in to ensure affordable transportation in Rome.
2. Learn about subway operating hours: Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 am to 11:30 pm; Friday to Saturday: 5:30 am to 1:30 am
3. Check bus operating hours: Between 5 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. to 12 noon; night bus runs from 12 noon to 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
4. Get ready for a transport strike: Strikes were common in Rome. When they occur, they are usually announced in advance and travelers can find more information on the official Ministryo delle infrastrutture e dei trasporti website or the Rome Wanted website. Some trains are still guaranteed to run, and public transport may still run during peak hours. However, be prepared to walk or take other transportation; keep in mind that taxi and rideshare wait times may be longer during the strike.

Bonus Tip: Buy a Rome Pass

The Rome Pass is a comprehensive timed card ideal for visitors to Rome. You simply buy a 48 or 72-hour Rome Pass for a flat rate, and in exchange you get one or two museums, archaeological sites or other experiences as well as public transportation, all included in the cost. Each additional experience after your first experience (with a 48-hour pass) or second experience (with a 72-hour pass) is available at a discount.

A 48-hour pass costs €36.50 and a 72-hour pass costs €58.50. Some of these experiences include the Galleria Borghese, the Roman Museum, and the Colosseum. Check the Rome Pass website to see if the attractions you want to explore require advance booking.

Consider bike sharing as an alternative

Skilled cyclists can save a lot of money by cycling in Rome. Photo: Gabriella Claire Marino

If you want another affordable option for transportation in Rome, you might consider cycling through a third-party bike-sharing program. However, keep in mind that limited bike lanes and cobbled roads may make for an unpleasant riding experience for inexperienced cyclists.

But if you’re up for the challenge and have a helmet, you can find bike share stations throughout the city through companies like Dott, Lime and Uber. You’ll need to download the company app and create an account to access shared bikes and view rates.

Airport transportation

Flying to Rome? You will land at one of two main airports: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Ciampino-GB Pastin International Airport (CIA).

To and from Fiumicino Airport

You can take private transportation to and from FCO, such as a taxi or rental car, or take the Leonardo Express. This train runs between Fiumicino Airport and Termini Station in approximately 30 minutes, with the Leonardo Express running every 15 minutes. A one-way ticket for the Leonardo Express train costs 14 euros. Taxi rates may vary, but expect to pay around €40 to €75, depending on luggage, number of passengers and distance traveled.

Please visit the Rome Airport website for more information on traveling to and from FCO.

To and from Ciampino Airport

In addition to private transport options, you can also take buses and trains to and from Ciampino Airport and Rome. To do this, you can take a bus from the airport to the city of Ciampino and then take a train from Ciampino to Termini station (reverse the process if you are going to the airport from your hotel in Rome). Bus tickets cost about 1.20 euros and train tickets about 1.50 euros, totaling 2.70 euros per person one way. Taking a taxi between Ciampino Airport and Rome costs around 35 to 50 euros, but is a faster and more direct option.

Please visit the Rome Airport website for more information on traveling to and from CIA.

Learn about Roman street signs

Roman street signs can be a little confusing. Photo: Ashley Freer

If you’re planning on paying for a bike share or renting a car, you’ll want to make sure you understand the road laws to avoid fines, tickets, or accidents. Here are some common confusing things visitors need to be aware of:

• When looking for a street name, check the building at the corner of an intersection or at the beginning of the street. Street names are often engraved on marble plaques on the sides of buildings.
• Brown signs with white text highlight nearby tourist attractions.
• Blue rectangular signs indicate one-way streets. Look for the arrow, which will point in the direction of traffic.
• Stop signs look similar to American stop signs, but locals may view them as yield signs. Please be careful not to assume that other drivers or cyclists will stop at these signs.
• For vehicles, speed limits are displayed on two different signs: a blue sign with the minimum speed limit and a red sign with the maximum speed limit.
• Take a look before parking! No parking zones are marked by round blue signs with a red border and a diagonal line through the blue space. Likewise, a sign with two slashes indicates that the area is a no-parking zone.
• Please note the restricted traffic zone (ZTL), where only authorized vehicles are allowed to pass. The sign may say “Zona Traffico Limitato” or it may show a white circle with a red border.

Advice on affordable transportation in Rome

While public transportation in Rome is imperfect, it provides an affordable and extensive network for exploring the city. With these tips, you’ll be navigating like a local in no time! Do you have any tips for saving money in Rome? Be sure to share your experiences in the comments below.