Rome’s historic centre is rewarding on foot, with the metro and buses filling the larger gaps. Ancient streets, uneven paving and summer heat make door-to-door walking time more important than a short-looking line on a map.
Group the Colosseum and Forum into one visit block. Keep the Vatican area on a different day and use walking for nearby squares and restaurants. A bus may shorten a walk, but allow for traffic when travelling to a strict entry slot.
Which transport should you use?
| Transport | Useful for | How to ride |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | Longer journeys and connections to major sightseeing areas | Use gates with a validated ticket or supported Tap & Go payment. |
| Bus and tram | Trips across areas the metro does not reach directly | Validate paper tickets or use the marked contactless reader where available. |
| Urban rail | Selected journeys within the city | Check the operator and ticket validity; an airport train is a separate comparison. |
| Walking | The Pantheon, squares and neighbouring streets | Build breaks into your route and wear shoes suitable for cobbles. |
| Night buses | Journeys after the metro closes | Check the actual route and stop before an evening out. |
First services, last departures and late returns
Published city metro information gives 05:30–23:30 Sunday to Thursday, with service until 01:30 on Friday and Saturday. Engineering work can alter individual lines. Check the live service notice and your last connection before relying on a late return.
Getting from the airport or terminal
Fiumicino and Ciampino have different transport choices. Compare airport rail or coach tickets separately from the urban BIT or day pass, and check the final journey from the arrival station to your accommodation.
Build a route that saves backtracking
Group the Colosseum and Forum into one visit block. Keep the Vatican area on a different day and use walking for nearby squares and restaurants. A bus may shorten a walk, but allow for traffic when travelling to a strict entry slot.
A first-day route in Rome
Keep the Colosseum and Forum together and plan the Vatican area in a different block. Metro can connect districts, but a historic-centre walk may finish the route more naturally than another transfer. Check the return journey if dinner takes you to Trastevere.
Read the BIT tickets and Tap & Go guideKeep these places for later
How to get around Rome: common questions
What is the best way to get around Rome?
Metro is useful for longer journeys and connections to major sightseeing areas. Rome’s historic centre is rewarding on foot, with the metro and buses filling the larger gaps.
Does public transport in Rome run all night?
Published city metro information gives 05:30–23:30 Sunday to Thursday, with service until 01:30 on Friday and Saturday. Engineering work can alter individual lines. Check the live service notice and your last connection before relying on a late return.
How should I plan the airport or arrival transfer in Rome?
Fiumicino and Ciampino have different transport choices. Compare airport rail or coach tickets separately from the urban BIT or day pass, and check the final journey from the arrival station to your accommodation.
Written for planning, with official visitor information linked where relevant. Suggested routes and time allowances are editorial recommendations. Check current entry rules, opening notices and ticket conditions before booking. Read how we prepare and update our guides.
