I have a question about the public transportation system in Rome...?

Question

I know that the best way to discover the city is by foot, but I'll be there for 3 months...I'm bound to ride the bus. Is it expensive? How do you do it exactly? I come from a very small town that doesn't have a public transportation system, so I've never ridden a bus (well, aside from the school bus :-P), so I don't really know how to do it. Do you pay for the ride when you get on the bus or do you buy tickets at some kind of office? What about the subway? Is it easier/cheaper than the bus?

Thanks for all the help! :-)

Answer 1

Hello,

The public transportation system in Rome is really good.  The metro has two main lines that will take you close to most of the main attractions such as the vatican and the colosseum.  There are tons of buses that cover the city.  They come often and are easy to use.  You can buy a ticket as you get on the bus or at any tobacco or magazine stand.  You can travel for 70 minutes for .90 euros.  This is also the same ticket you use on the metro system.  You must have a ticket and you must validate it before riding on the metro or the buses.  If you are caught without a validated ticket you will be fined heavily.  They transportation police are out all the time checking tickets so don't rick being caught without one.  You can buy multiday tickets if you are going to use the system a lot.  This will allow you unlimited use of the system for a specific number of days from 3 to 7 or even longer.  You only have to validate that ticket the first time you use it but you must carry it with you whenever you are using the transportation system.  

Donna

Answer 2

There are buses, metros, and taxis around the city. The bus seems to be pretty low key, I never even had to buy a ticket to ride the bus. I wouldn't necessarily reccomend this because you could get caught, but I don't know how or where to buy a bus ticket. The metro is kind of expensive for Americans, if I recall correctly a ticket is like 1.50 euro, which is about 2.50 USD, for only one ride.  You buy the ticket before you ride in all instances. Don't worry, I came from a small town too, and unless you are as stupid as a rock, public transportation comes pretty quickly to you. Just get a map or ticket schedules.

Answer 3

There are several modes of transportation in Rome:

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

Metro: http://www.rome.info/metro/

Train:http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

http://goitaly.about.com/od/italytranspo...

Taxi:http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/rome_trans...

Take a look at these links to learn how to use the buses, metro,  taxis,   and trains in Rome.

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/rome_trans...

http://europeforvisitors.com/rome/resour...

http://www.enjoyrome.com/tourist/citygui...

http://www.italylogue.com/planning-a-tri...

I hope to have been helpful.

Answer 4

I was in Rome for 4.. and yes, you will need the bus/metro. It's one euro for 70 mins (this means that you can use this ticket on any tram/bus/metro during a 70 min period.

You may also want to buy a monthly pass for 30 euro but you have to buy them in the last few days of the month before or on the 1st or 2nd of the month because they are limited and run out fast. You can also get weekly passes for 16 euro or daily passes for 4 euro. All of these passes are for unlimited use. If you are caught without a ticket on the bus/tram/metro... it will be a 50 euro fine on the spot or 100 if you can't pay at that time.

You can buy these tickets at any tabbachi shop and many news stands sell them as well. Also, you MUST validate your tickets when you first use them. The metro automatically validates the ticket but on the bus and tram, you have to insert it into the validation machine, often yellow.

Overall, the system is easy to use. The metro has 2 lines that run in an "X" and connect only at Termini station. The buses are everywhere as well and night buses run at night. However, don't ride the night bus alone if you're unfamiliar with the city. The metro system in Rome is not bad but it doesn't connect to nearly as many places as the bus so you'll likely ride the bus far more. Don't worry about anything but do beware of the pickpockets. Fortunately, I never had a problem!

Good luck and have fun. Rome is my fave place in the whole world and I can't wait to go back!

Answer 5

walking is good, and easy.

taxi isnt the cheapest wayy everrrrrr...but from the pantheon to the vatican, its a good 7 euros.

and the metro there doesnt stop in every corner, u have to walk a whilee to get to the next onee, so theyre farr.

and i never took the bus and i just got back from a 4 day trip in romee

Answer 6

Public transportation in Rome is pretty easy.  It is 1euro each ride on bus/tam/etc, or 30euro for a month-long pass.  Definitely do the 30euro.  You can get the pass at the Tabachi store, which is like a convenience store and they are all over the streets.  Keep the pass in your pocket and if security comes on the bus looking for passes, just show it to them.  The subway is a little different, it is much like the subway in NYC.  You go down the stairs to the subway, stop at the machine (which can be put in English and is self-explanatory), and slide the little card it gives you through the turnstyle machine.  I believe that is also 1euro each way.  There are maps all over the bus stops and online that will show you the best way to get to your destination, whether it be by bus or subway or a combination.  Good luck!