Travel and Transit Information for Rome

Ankunft

Bus

Stazione Tiburtina (http://www.romatiburtina.it/) is located north east of the city center and is the base for most intercity buses. The bus terminal where you can purchase tickets is located adjacent to the rail station. Euroline (http://www.eurolines.it/) services bus lines that run internationally.

Car

The A1, Italy's famed superhighway running from Milan in the north and to Naples in the south, has a spur to Rome. The A24 spans east and the SS1 Aurelia coastal route splits the A12/E80 between Genoa and Rome. All converge with Rome's circular road, the Grande Raccordo Anulare (GRA). With gas prices paid by the liter and toll roads littering the motorways, driving can be quite expensive. Check out the Autostade website (http://www.autostrade.it/) for toll info throughout the country.

Getting Around

Public Transport

Rome Metropolitana or metro has two lines (A and B) recognizable by large red signs marked "M". The lines criss-cross through the city, intersecting only at Stazione Termini. Tickets can be purchased at newsstands, tabaccherie, or from machines located in the subway stations. Trains run from 5:30a-11:30 everyday, and until 12:30a on Saturdays.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get around is by bus. They run 24 hours a day throughout the entire city, and a single ticket is good for 75 minutes on any means of transit. An all day (BIG) ticket runs EUR4, and is valid until midnight the day it is stamped. The BTI tourist ticket is EUR11 and can be used any time for three days after the date of validation. Children under ten years ride free. For information about other special tickets, visit http://www.atac.roma.it/ (Italian only site).

Car

Driving in Italy can be a harrowing experience, but driving in Rome can be worse. Much of the historical center is a restricted driving zone (Zona Trafica Limitata - abbreviated ZTL), and non-resident vehicles are prohibited M-F 8a-6p and Sa 8a-1p. This is strictly enforced and violations can result in major fines. Free public spaces are indicated by white lines. Paid parking spaces are marked by blue lines, and can be found in semi-central areas such as Termini and the Vatican, although finding a space (especially during tourist season) can be more hassle than it's worth. Parking Termini is located in front of the main train station and is open from 6a-1a (rates start at EUR5 for two hours, EUR2 each additional hour, EUR1 per hour after the twelfth hour). ParkSi and Parking Ludovisi are located near the Villa Borghese and have slightly cheaper rates. Another option are the parcheggi di scampio lots, located farther outside the city center usually near metro stops. Around EUR2 a day, this is a very economical but riskier option as lots are unattended.

Flughafen

Der Leonardo Da Vinci International Flughafen (a.k.a. Rome Fiumicino) (+39 06 6567 1349 / http://www.adr.it/) is Rome's major airport. It consists of three terminals (A, B, C) each possessing ample shopping opportunities (including duty free), numerous restaurants, info booths, currency exchange center, and ATMs. Abundant short term parking is located outside each terminal. Rome's smaller airport, Ciampino is located much closer to the city center (about 15 km / 9 mi southeast). Most intra-European flights land here, as several budget European airlines such as Ryan Air and Easy Jet fly into Ciampino. There is no rail service connecting the city center and the airport, but there are several bus and shuttle options. Airlines serving Fiumicino include:

Air Berlin (+49 1805 73 78 00 / http://www.airberlin.com/) Air Canada (+1 888 247 2262 / http://www.aircanada.com/) Air France (+1 800 237 2747 / http://www.airfrance.com/) British Airways (+1 800 247 9297 / http://www.british-airways.com/) Condor (+1 800 524 6975 / http://www7.condor.com/) Continental (+1 800 523 3273 / http://www.flycontinental.com/) Delta (+1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta-air.com) Easy Jet (+33 8 25 08 25 08 / http://www.easyjet.com/) Hapag-Lloyd Express (+180 509 3 509 / http://www.hlx.com/) Japanese Airlines (+1 800 525 3663 / http://www.japanair.com/) Lufthansa (+1 800 645 3880 / http://cms.lufthansa.com/) United Airlines (+1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com/) U.S. Airways (+1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com/) Virgin Express (+0821 2230 202 / http://www.virgin-express.com/)

From the Airport

Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport

Train: One of the easiest ways to reach the city from the airport is by train, if you are not lugging along serious baggage that is. Follow signs for "Stazione FS/Railway Station," located on the second floor. The Leonardo Express runs directly from the airport to the main rail terminal, Stazione Termini. Trains depart every 30 minutes from 6:35a-11:35p and the trip takes about half an hour (from Termini to the airport trains run every half hour between 5:50a-10:50p). Tickets are EUR9.50 and can be purchased either from a window or automated machines (just be sure to validate at one of the validation machines located on the platforms before you board). Children under 12 accompanied by an adult ride free. The other rail option, the Metropolitan FM1 Train, is cheaper at around EUR5 and more frequent (leaves every 15 minutes during the week and Saturdays; every 30 minutes on Sundays) but slogs along, stopping often, including a pause at Tiburtina Station.

Bus: Terravison (http://www.terravision.eu/rome_fiumicino.html) operates a shuttle service to Roma Termini, with several stops between. The trip takes around 70 minutes, tickets are EUR7 and require a valid boarding pass or ticket from one of their airlines (see website for details).

Taxi: Rome's official taxis are white with black identity codes on the door. A ride from the airport the city center should cost around EUR40, with additional fees for large pieces of luggage. There are taxi lines at each of the arrival areas of the airport and it is best to wait for an official taxi rather than be persuaded out of line by non-licensed drivers.

Rome Ciampino

Bus: SITbusshuttle (+39 06 591 7844 / http://www.sitbusshuttle.it/) has service to Roma Termini, as well as Ciampino and Tiburtina Railway stations. A one way fare is EUR6, and tickets can be purchased on board.

The COTRAL bus costs EUR1 (http://www.cotralspa.it/) and operates bus service between the airport and the Anagnina metro stop, located on line A.

Terravision (http://www.terravision.eu/rome_ciampino.html) also operates frequent shuttle service to Stazione Termini, but requires a valid boarding pass from one the airlines they work with (see website for detailed list) as well a Terravision voucher. Vouchers can be purchased for EUR 8 (one-way) at the Terra office on Via Marsala at Stazione Termini, or at the airport. They can also be purchased at various airports in other parts of Europe, including London Stansted and Frankfurt Hahn airports. Taxi: The taxi park is located across from the arrivals hall. From Ciampino to the city center should cost around EUR 35. Rome's official taxis are white with an identification number on the door, and it is advisable to use only authorized (metered and regulated) taxis.

From Ciampino to Fiumicino

Schiaffini Travel S.p.A. (http://www.schiaffini.com/) provides a transfer service between Ciampino and Fiumicino airports. Tickets are EUR5 and can be purchased on board.

Taxi

Rome's official taxis are white or yellow and have a black identification number on the door. It is advisable to use only these authorized taxis, as they are metered and regulated. Normal starting fare (between 7a-10p) is EUR2.50; night fares are higher (10p-7a) EUR5. Remember that Sunday and holiday fares also apply between 7a-10p, and that the rate per mile increases if you travel outside the city limits. Be sure to bring plenty of small bills as Roman taxi drivers are notorious for not having change! Taxi Companies include:

Cooperativa Radiotaxi Samarcanda Radiotaxi 3570

Train

Although the major hub for European train travel in the country is Milan, Rome has its fair share of long haul service and has a far-reaching domestic rail network. It is managed and maintained by the Italian State Railway (http://www.trenitalia.com/) and offers a variety of options for roving across Europe or just traveling throughout Italy. EuroStar Italia (http://www.trenitalia.it/en/treni_stazioni/eurostar/index.html/) has several high speed lines throughout the network, including links between Rome and Turin, and Rome and Venice. Most of the trains arrive and depart at Rome's Termini station, including all InterCity, regional and national trains. A few international trains also stream into Ostiense and Tiburtina stations. Train routes include: the EuroCity Michelangelo between Rome and Munich, the E368/369 Express Train between Rome and Nice, and the EuroNight train connecting Rome, Basel and Geneva. Artesia has overnight service between Rome and Paris.

Roma Termini is the main transport hub of the city. Both lines of the metro system converge here. Just outside the station you will find a number of bus stops, and many airport shuttle services drop off here as well.

Stazione Tiburtina is a smaller rail station, located northeast of the city center. Most intercity and international buses are based here.

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