How to get around Rome may seem like an overwhelming task, with the limited metro lines and the seemingly infinite bus lines that trot around the city in all sorts of directions. That is why we have created this simple guide to Rome public transport for your reference, so you can feel confident about how to easily get around from one site to another.

Metro stations Rome | How to Get Around Rome

Let´s begin with the Metro in Rome. There are currently only two (2) functioning lines: the A (orange) and the B (blue) lines. I say ´currently´ because there is a third line under construction (which will be called the C line), but realistically that won´t open for another several months.
The A and B line basically cut the city in half diagonally, meeting in the middle at the bustling station of Termini.
The A line goes from Anagnina to Battistini, and the B line from Laurentina to either Jonio or Rebibbia (the line splits in two sub-lines past the Piazza Bologna stop).
The majority of the time, you will likely use the A line, as that is the one that connects many of the major sites: the Vatican (stops Lepanto or Ottaviano), the Spanish steps (stop Spagna), Piazza della Repubblica and via Nazionale (stop Repubblica/Teatro dell´Opera), the Trevi Fountain (stop Barberini), Piazza del Popolo and Via del Corso (stop Popolo/Flaminio).
The B line´s most important stop, on the other hand, is the Colosseum, which lets you out right in front of the monument. You can easily connect to the B line from the A at Termini, and the Colosseum will be only two stops away.
For a list of all the stops on each line you can reference the Rome Metro website.

Travel by Bus around Rome | Rome Transport Guide

Buses in Rome, as mentioned above, can be a bit overwhelming as there are so many different lines. Termini is a big Capolinea (Terminus) for many lines that will take you to the historic center of town. Main lines that will be useful, amongst others, are the 80 (for Piazza Venezia, via del Corso, Trevi Fountain), the 64 (for Vatican, Pantheon, Piazza Navona) the 81, 85 and 87 (for Colosseum, Fori Imperiali, Circus Maximus), the 492 (for Vatican), the 70 (for Largo Argentina, Piazza Navona, Pantheon), the 60 (piazza Venezia, via Nazionale).

You can reference this Rome bus map for all the lines and metro stations alike. I also advise using Rome bus info website (there is also an app) to reference for each bus route.

Trams in Rome | How to Get Around Rome

As far as Trams in Rome go, there aren´t as many as there used to be – once upon a time it was the largest tram system in Italy, but it is no longer a backbone of the city´s public transit. There are only 6 lines, of which 3 are the ones you will most likely reference: lines 8, 3 and 19. For a handy map of the lines and their stops you can reference Rome Tram Lines website.

Public Transport Tickets | Bus, Tram and Metro Tickets

Tickets are €1.50 each. You cannot use the same ticket for two separate metro rides (if you have exited the station), but of course it is valid for in-station transfers. You can transfer between bus, tram and metro (this one only once) with the same ticket, as long as the travel time has not exceeded 100 minutes, as each validated ticket (which you yourself have to validate when entering either the bus, metro or tram) expires after 100 minutes. There are ticket vending machines at every metro station (but note they ONLY take cash), and also at Newsstands, Tabacchi stores, and even some snack bars all over the city.

Railway system in Rome | Rome Transport Guide

Lastly, the Railway system in Rome is small but efficient, but you will likely not use it for in-city commuting from one site to another. However, unless you travel by car, you will likely use it to travel to and from the airport, for more tips you can refer to our How to Get from Fiumicino to Rome post.

There are two ways to get to the airport via Trenitalia (the name of the Italian Railway company):

• Via the non-stop Leonardo Express, which travels between Termini Station and Fiumicino Airport and has a travel time of approx. 32 minutes (€14)
• Via the Regional Railway FL1 , that departs from several central stations in Rome and stops throughout (€8)

Tickets can be purchased directly at the train stations.