Hoe je je in Rome verplaatst: metro, bussen, wandelen en apps

Rome’s vibrant energy is best experienced by getting around its charming streets. While your feet will be your primary mode of transport, Rome’s public transit system (ATAC) offers a reliable and affordable way to cover longer distances. Understanding its ins and outs will save you time and money.

Walking: The Best Way to Explore

• When to Walk: For anything within the historic center (Centro Storico), walking is almost always the best option. The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, and even the Colosseum and Roman Forum are all within a 20-30 minute walk of each other.
• Why Walk: It’s free, allows you to discover hidden alleys, charming piazzas, and unexpected views, and lets you soak in the unique Roman atmosphere. Wear comfortable shoes – cobblestones are beautiful but unforgiving!

Rome’s Public Transport Options

Rome’s public transport system (ATAC) includes the Metro, buses, and trams. A single ticket is valid across all these modes within its validity period.

1. Metro (Subway/Underground)

• Lines: Rome has three Metro lines:
  • Line A (Orange): Connects major tourist spots like the Vatican Museums (Cipro, Ottaviano), Spanish Steps (Spagna), Trevi Fountain (Barberini), and Termini Station.
  • Line B (Blue): Serves the Colosseum (Colosseo), Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo), and Termini Station. Line B branches at Bologna, so ensure you’re on the correct branch (Rebibbia or Jonio).
  • Line C (Green): The newest line, primarily serves the eastern suburbs and is less useful for most tourists as it doesn’t extend deep into the historic center yet.
• Operating Hours: Generally, 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM daily. On Fridays and Saturdays, service is extended until 1:30 AM.
• Pros: Fastest way to cover long distances and avoid traffic.
• Cons: Limited coverage in the historic center (due to archaeological finds during construction), can be very crowded during peak hours.

2. Buses

• Network: Rome has an extensive bus network with over 350 lines, reaching almost every corner of the city.
• Day Buses (U – Urbana): Operate from around 5:30 AM to midnight.
• Night Buses (N – Notturna): Operate between midnight and 5:00-6:00 AM on major routes, identified by an “N” before the route number. They run less frequently but are generally punctual.
• Pros: Most widespread network, essential for reaching areas not covered by the Metro.
• Cons: Can be slow due to traffic, prone to delays, and very crowded. Understanding routes can be challenging without an app.
• Helpful Lines: Some express lines (like 40X from Termini to Vatican) or frequent lines (like 64 from Termini to Vatican, or 81 connecting many sights) can be very useful.

3. Trams

• Network: Rome’s tram network is less extensive than its bus or metro systems, with mostly suburban lines.
• Key Lines for Tourists:
  • Line 3: Connects Trastevere to the Colosseum and Villa Borghese.
  • Line 8: Connects Trastevere to Largo di Torre Argentina (near Campo de’ Fiori, Jewish Ghetto, Piazza Venezia), making it very useful for Trastevere visitors.
  • Line 19: Connects Prati (near Vatican) to Villa Borghese.
• Operating Hours: Similar to buses, from 5:30 AM to midnight.
• Pros: Often cleaner and smoother than buses, can be a pleasant way to see parts of the city.
• Cons: Limited coverage in the historic center.

How to Buy Tickets

Rome uses a unified ticketing system (ATAC) for metro, buses, trams, and urban trains (within city limits).

• Single Ticket (BIT): €1.50
  • Valid for 100 minutes from first validation.
  • Allows unlimited transfers on buses, trams, and urban trains within 100 minutes.
  • Only one metro/train journey is allowed within the 100 minutes (meaning you can’t exit the metro and re-enter, but you can change metro lines within the station).
• Day Passes:
  • 24H: €7 (unlimited travel until midnight of the day of validation)
  • 48H: €12.50 (unlimited travel for 48 hours from first validation)
  • 72H: €18 (unlimited travel for 72 hours from first validation)
  • Weekly Pass (CIS): €24 (unlimited travel for 7 days from first validation, until midnight of the 7th day)
• Where to Buy:
  • Automated Vending Machines: Found in all Metro stations (accept cash and card, offer multiple languages).
  • Ticket Booths: Available in some larger Metro stations (Termini).
  • “Tabaccherie” (Tobacco Shops): Marked with a blue sign with a large “T” outside. Widely available.
  • Newsstands (“Edicola”): Small kiosks often selling newspapers and magazines.
  • ATAC App: Download the official ATAC app or use apps like MooneyGo (formerly myCicero) to buy digital tickets and tap to validate on buses and trams.
  • Contactless “Tap & Go”: Many metro turnstiles and all buses/trams have contactless readers. Simply tap your credit/debit card (or smartphone/smartwatch with a linked card) on the reader when you board/enter. It automatically calculates the best fare for you for a 24-hour period (capping at €7 if you make more than 4 individual taps). Each passenger needs their own card/device.

How to Validate Tickets & Avoid Fines

This is crucial! An unvalidated ticket is a void ticket, regardless of purchase.

• Buses & Trams: Immediately upon boarding, insert your paper ticket into the yellow validation machines located near the front or back doors. It will print the date and time.
• Metro: Insert your ticket into the turnstile slot before entering the platform. The turnstile will open.
• Contactless “Tap & Go”: If using contactless payment, simply tap your card/device on the reader. The green light indicates successful validation. Remember to tap again every time you change means of transport (e.g., bus to metro, or bus to another bus), even if within the 100-minute window. This doesn’t charge you again but activates the next leg of your journey and helps the system calculate the “best fare.”
• Fines: Traveling without a validated ticket or with an irregular ticket can result in a penalty fare of €100 to €500, plus the cost of the ticket and administrative fees. Inspectors frequently check, especially on buses.

Top Transit Apps

Having a good transit app is invaluable for navigating Rome’s public transport:

• Google Maps: Excellent for real-time directions across all transport modes, including walking. Provides estimated travel times, bus/tram numbers, and metro routes.
• Moovit: Very popular for public transport planning worldwide. Offers real-time arrivals, step-by-step directions, and alerts.
• Citymapper: Another highly-rated app for urban transit, offering comprehensive routing and real-time information.
• ATAC App / MooneyGo (myCicero): Official apps for purchasing digital tickets and accessing real-time information directly from the transport authority.

Affiliate Angle Enhancements

• Rome Transport Passes: For tourists planning extensive use of public transport, pre-purchasing a Rome transport pass (like the 72-hour ATAC ticket or a combined pass like the Roma Pass which includes transport) can be more cost-effective and convenient.
• SIM/eSIM with Data: To make the most of navigation and transit apps, ensure you have reliable internet access. Consider purchasing a local SIM card or an eSIM with data for your trip.
• Travel Card Bundles: Some tourism packages combine public transport passes with attraction entry. Look for these travel card bundles if they align with your itinerary to potentially save money and time.

Mastering Rome’s public transport system is a key part of enjoying your Roman holiday efficiently and affordably.