Transportation Guide - Rome, Italy

Rome is the capital of Italy, where contains plenty of ancient monuments, like Vatican, Colosseo, etc. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Transportation

By air:

Leonardo da Vinci/ Fiumicino International Airport(FCO) is the main international airport in Rome and it is well connected to the center of the city by public transportation.

Ciampino International Airport(CIA) is the low-cost airline airport in the southeast of Rome. Easyjet, Ryanair and other budget airlines operate in this small airport. There is no direct train connection to the city center, but it is closer to city center than Fiumicino airport.

By rail:

Stazione Termini (Rome Termini) is the main railway station in Rome. Please beware of pickpockets and thieve nearby station, especially at night. This station is also locked up after midnight, so most long-distance trains passing through Rome will stop at Tiburtina station instead.

Within Rome, there are two main Metro lines - Metro line A (Red) and Metro line B (Blue). Rome Termini station is the interchange point of these two lines. Metro line A (red line) runs northwest past the Vatican, and south. Line B (Blue Line) runs southwest past the Colosseo and northeast.The Metro is the most punctual form of public transportation in Rome, but it can get extremely crowded during rush hour.



Rome Pass


The above photos show the Roma Pass issued in 2009.

The cost : Euro 25 (starting from 1Feb2010)
You can purchase this Roma Pass online through its official website (shown as below) or at Tourist information counters, such as in Rome Termini station.

This pass offers free public transportation within the city center and free entry to the first 2 visited museums and / or archaeological sites as well as reduction for all other museums and major events. Inside of the new Roma Pass kit, there are:

• The Roma Pass card (Plastic one) - you can use this card to visit museums / archaeological sites
• The Roma Pass Transport - you can use it on the public transport system
• Roma MAP - it features all the Tourist Information Points, Metro stations, museums and other sites of interest
• Roma Pass Guide - it is an useful guide to all participating museums and sites
• Roma News - it shows all the events and services for tourists offering discounts
• Roma Informa - it provides details of how to access information on events and other useful services via Internet

If you stay in Rome for at least 3 days, you should purchase this Roma Pass. The additional benefit of this pass is to save your time. There is huge crowds of people everywhere in Rome, especially in famous attraction, like Colosseo. There is a specific entrance for Roma Pass holders in most of attractions.

Please note that most museums are generally closed on Mondays (with the exception of the Colosseo and the Baths of Caracalla). Please check in advance before your visit.


Useful links:
The official website of Roma Pass - http://www.romapass.it/
The website of Rome travel guide - http://www.rome-guide.it/