How to get around Rome from the airport to the heart of the city?

To make the most of your Roman vacation, one of the first things you need to do is plan your transportation. If you’re arriving in the Eternal City by plane, you can choose from several ways to get to the city center. Then, once Rome welcomes you into its wide embrace, you’ll need to know some key basics for getting around town without too much hassle so you can fully enjoy all the beauty this timeless city has to offer.

Let’s take a look at some tips for getting around, starting with your arrival at one of Rome’s two airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino.

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What Are the Best Transportation Options from the Airport to the City Center?

All roads lead to Rome, but so do the skies. Rome is served by two airports: Fiumicino, which is the largest not just in Rome but in all of Italy, and located a bit farther from the city, and Ciampino, which is smaller and closer to the city center.

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Getting to Rome from Fiumicino

Fiumicino is a town located to the west of Rome, along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 30 kilometers from the capital. The airport is officially named “Leonardo da Vinci,” but it’s more commonly called “Fiumicino Airport” or simply “Fiumicino.”

The fastest way to reach Rome from here is by train, with two main options. The first is the Leonardo Express, a dedicated train that connects the airport to Termini Station, the main railway hub in the city, every 15 minutes, with a travel time of about 30 minutes.

Note that the last Leonardo Express leaves Fiumicino just after midnight (at 12:23 am, to be exact), after which you’ll have to wait until 5:38 am the next morning.

Alternatively, there are Trenitalia regional trains, which don’t stop at Termini but serve other city stations like Roma Tiburtina, the second most important station after Termini. These secondary stations are still well connected by city public transport to the rest of Rome. 

On weekdays, regional trains depart Fiumicino every 30 minutes, while on holidays they run every 15 minutes. In either case, whether you take the Leonardo Express or Trenitalia, the ticket price is around €14 (about $15).

There are also frequent shuttle buses that connect Fiumicino directly to Rome. You can choose between the regional public service (Cotral) and several private bus lines. The ticket costs less than the train, about half the price, but travel time is longer, often taking about an hour or slightly less, depending on traffic.

If you’d prefer not to rely on public transport and want to travel more comfortably, taxis cost between €50 and €60 ($53-$64), depending on the area of Rome you’re heading to.

For an even more comfortable ride, you can opt for a car rental with a driver (NCC), which you need to book in advance and is, of course, more expensive.

Finally, if you’re not too tired and don’t mind driving, the airport also has car rental services and several car-sharing operators.

Your choice will also depend on your arrival time at Fiumicino: after midnight, your options are limited to buses, taxis, and car-sharing.

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Getting to Rome from Ciampino

As mentioned earlier, Ciampino Airport is about 10 kilometers closer to Rome than Fiumicino, around 20 kilometers from the city center, located southeast just beyond the Grande Raccordo Anulare (Rome’s ring road).

There are many bus lines, both public and private, that run directly to the center of Rome. The Ciampino Airlink service also lets you take a bus directly to Ciampino train station without intermediate stops, where you can then catch a regional train to Termini.

If you prefer driving, taxis, rental cars, and car-sharing services are all available, generally at a lower cost compared to Fiumicino due to the shorter distance.

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Is It Safe to Use Public Buses in Rome at Night?

Rome at night is beautiful, and all you need is a little caution to enjoy it safely and peacefully.

The city is quite safe, even after dark. Of course, safety varies depending on the area, so it’s best to stick to well-populated places at night.

Overall, because it’s a major tourist destination, the large number of people out even late at night usually ensures a sense of security.

As with any other city, basic safety precautions apply. For example, at night, as already mentioned, avoid isolated and poorly lit areas if possible, and try to move in a group or with others.

Night buses are generally safe. You’ll rarely find yourself alone on a deserted bus, worried about who might board next. It’s more likely you’ll be sharing the ride with other tourists enjoying “Rome by Night” and people commuting to or from late-night work.

One thing to keep a close eye on, and this isn’t just at night, is your personal belongings. Public transport is a favorite spot for pickpockets, so be mindful of wallets, bags, purses, and phones.

Make sure you’re familiar with night bus routes (marked by the letter “N” after the number) and the schedules, to avoid finding yourself stuck in unfamiliar places late at night with no idea when the next bus might arrive.

In general, it’s a good idea to stay relatively close to the center at night, sticking to well-lit and populated areas.

And for a really fun and unique way to see Rome under the stars safely, consider taking a nighttime guided Vespa tour. It’s an experience you’ll want to tell everyone about when your vacation is over!

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Can I Pay for Bus Tickets in Cash?

On Rome’s buses and trams, you cannot purchase tickets with cash once you’re on board. However, you can pay directly with a contactless credit card, including one registered on your smartphone (also valid at metro turnstiles).

If you prefer a traditional paper ticket, you’ll need to buy it before boarding, from the many authorized retailers (generally bars, newsstands, or tobacco shops near bus stops) or from automatic ticket machines at train and metro stations. The same tickets are valid for buses, trams, and the metro, as well as for some urban Trenitalia routes.

You can choose between different ticket types depending on how long you plan to stay in Rome and how intensively you plan to use public transport. 

The standard ticket costs €1.50 ($1.60), is valid for 100 minutes after stamping, and includes a metro ride with line changes. There are also tourist-specific options, such as time-based tickets that allow unlimited travel for 24, 48, or 72 hours, or even a week, with prices ranging from €7 to €24 ($7.50-$25.50).

Once on board, make sure to stamp your ticket using the onboard ticket machines. Considering the high number of vehicles in circulation, ticket checks aren’t frequent, but they do happen. It’s better to avoid spoiling your vacation with a hefty fine, right?

If you prefer a more modern approach, you can also buy tickets through apps like MooneyGo, TicketAppy, and Tabnet.

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Are There Special Rules for Crossing Streets in Rome?

There’s a rather amusing scene that often plays out on the streets of Rome, especially the busier ones: groups of tourists huddled on the sidewalk by the crosswalk, intimidated by the unending stream of cars, with no one daring to make the first move. 

Then a Roman steps forward confidently, and the seemingly unstoppable traffic miraculously comes to a halt to let them pass. The tourists take advantage of the opportunity and cross too. 

The point is, if there’s no pedestrian light, drivers in Rome will often stop only if pedestrians take the initiative. Obviously, caution is key, and when in doubt… wait for a Roman to go first!

Where there are pedestrian lights, which often have request buttons and acoustic signals for the visually impaired, it’s best to obey them, even if you see others crossing against the light. The chaotic Roman traffic makes it risky to cross carelessly or when in a hurry—you’re on vacation, after all, so take it easy.

Another tip: when crossing a busy street, especially a multi-lane one, watch out not only for cars but also for scooters, which often weave in and out of traffic rather unpredictably.

And speaking of scooters…

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Is It Advisable for Tourists to Rent a Vespa in Rome?

There’s no doubt about it: Rome is a scooter-friendly city. With careful attention to traffic, potholes (which are unfortunately quite common), and potentially uneven cobblestones, this remains the best and most fun way to get around the bustling and lively streets of the city.

It’s easy to be charmed by the idea of cruising freely, carefree, and enchanted by so much beauty, just like Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck on a Vespa in *Roman Holiday* (1954). 

However, keep in mind that since the ’50s, Rome’s traffic has changed a lot, and nowadays you need to keep your eyes on the road, the signs, and the cars next to you.

With that safety note, anyone who’s done it can confirm that riding around Rome on a scooter—especially as a tourist—is a wonderful experience. 

A scooter lets you move easily and quickly through areas that would take much more time and patience by car or public transport, not to mention the ease of parking a two-wheeler compared to a car.

An even more exciting idea is to rent a sidecar. This way, you can enjoy the vintage charm of riding such a unique vehicle without the stress of driving, as an experienced guide will take you to Rome’s most interesting spots while you comfortably sit back and enjoy the tour.

It’s an exciting touch of originality and style for your vacation in the Eternal City—truly a movie-like experience!