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The Local Stay | City guide - Rome
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City guide - Rome, Italy

Representing a unique combination of modern and ancient, Rome’s unique beauty is found in its culture, art, food and vistas. A feast for your senses, all roads truly do lead to Rome.

Tipping: Tipping in Italy is not customary, and a service charge is usually included on your bill as “servizio” or under the “coperto” (cover charge).

  • Language:

    Italian

  • Currency:

    Euro

  • Airports:
    • Leonardo da Vinci Airport
    • Ciampino Airport
  • Time Zone:

    CEST

Popular Accommodations

Transportation from the Leonardo da Vinci Airport

Express Train

Signs in the airport arrivals area will lead you to the Leonardo express train, which takes you without stopping to Stazione Termini (Termini Station), Rome’s main railway station. Purchase your ticket in one of the machines, but be sure to validate it at a machine on the platform just before boarding the train, as tickets expire 90 minutes after validation.

Cost €14
Trip Duration 30 minutes
Hours departs every 30 minutes from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm
Website www.trenitalia.com
Taxi

Be sure to take an official marked taxi to avoid any tourist price traps. Official taxis are white with a light reading "taxi" on top.

Cost The price is fixed and set by city hall depending on your destination.
  • 45 Euro to Ostiense
  • 48 Euro to Aurelian Walls
  • 55 Euro to Tiburtina
  • 50 Euro to Ciampino Airport
Trip Duration approximately 45 minutes to the city center
Bus

Terravision

These shuttles may be the cheapest and most convenient option for getting to Rome’s city center. Shuttle departure times correspond with the arrival times of flights so that you’ll never find yourself waiting long. The shuttle stops at Termini Station, and you can book your ticket in advance online or upon arrival at the airport.

Cost €4 online/€6 at the shuttle station
Trip Duration approximately 55 minutes
Hours 5:28 am to 10:45 pm
Website www.terravision.eu/airport_transfer/bus-stansted-airport-london

Cortal

This service is recommended for those arriving at night. While inexpensive, the Cortal does make a few stops on its way to Termini Station and, therefore, takes a bit longer than Terravision. Tickets can be purchased at newsstands throughout the airport or on the bus (though the latter option will cost you more).

Cost €5
Trip Duration just over an hour
Hours 1:15 am to 5:00 am
Website www.cotralspa.it

SIT Bus Shuttle

This shuttle service leaves from Terminal 3 in the airport. You can purchase tickets on the bus or book online at the company's website.

Cost €5
Trip Duration approximately 1 hour
Hours departs every 30 minutes from 8:30 am to 12:30 am
Website www.sitbusshuttle.com/en

Transportation from Ciampino Airport

Taxi

Take a taxi from the stand as you exit the airport and decline any offers from drivers inside of the airport to avoid tourist price traps.

Cost fixed price of €30-€35 (day and night)
Trip Duration approximately 30 minutes
Bus + Train

To take advantage of this less expensive option, you’ll need to take a bus to the train station in Siamfino since there is no train station at Ciampino Airport. You can buy your bus ticket at the booth right before exiting the airport or on the bus. Once you arrive at Siamfino, take the train to Termini Station to get to the city center.

Cost €3 total (€1 for the bus ticket + €2 for the train ticket)
Trip Duration 25 minutes total (10 minutes from the airport to the train station + 15 minutes from Siamfino to Termini Station)
Hours The train departs every 15 minutes until 10:00 pm.
Bus + Metro

This is a longer route that is not suitable for late arrivals and is, therefore, not recommended. If you choose this option, you will take the bus from the airport to the Anagnina Metro Station on the B line to Termini Station in the city center.

Cost €2 total (€1 for the bus ticket + €1 for the metro ticket)
Trip Duration at least 1 hour total, depending on traffic (30 minutes by bus + 30 minutes by Metro)
Hours The Metro operates until 9:00 pm Sunday- Friday and until 1:00 am on Saturday.
The Colosseum

Beautifully preserved with most of the structure still standing, the Colosseum is perhaps Rome’s most iconic landmark, and a visit is a bucket list item not to be missed. Sign up for a guided tour online, or join one at the ticket gate for around €30 to see history truly come to life. You also have the option of renting an audio guide for €5. The first Sunday of each month offers free admittance, and you’ll pay €12 the rest of the month for a ticket to see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The ticket is valid for two days, allowing you one-time entrance to each site to fully experience ancient Rome. Be sure to pre-book your tickets online to save money and skip the long lines. You should plan to leave behind any large bags (The area gets crowded!) and bottles filled with liquid, as you’ll have to empty them as you enter. Bottles can be refilled at a water fountain inside the Colosseum.

Trastevere

Located across the river from many of Rome’s main sites, Trastevere’s narrow cobblestone streets allow you to explore a less touristy side of Rome by foot. It’s an area that’s close to it all but without the overwhelming crowds, full of small boutiques, bars, street performers and a varied assortment of restaurants sure to please even the most discerning foodies. With so many options for delectable pizza, pasta and gelato in Trastevere, it’s worth taking a food tour of the neighborhood to discover its hidden gems and rich history. Stroll along Via Guilia, where you’ll find Raphael’s house amidst charming antique stores, and take a detour to visit the Church of Santa Maria. Bike tours are also available to explore the neighborhood’s winding roads, where a new discovery is hiding around each corner.

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj

Don’t be fooled by the building’s gray facade: the jewel-like interior of Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is filled to the brim with incredible works of well-preserved art. Make your way through spectacular rooms and the one-of-a-kind hall of mirrors, enjoying the original décor of this 17th century palace. The museum is easily accessed from Via del Corso, and tickets cost €12, which includes a well-presented and informative audio guide. If you yearn for more history, consider the guided opera tour, which includes an enthralling live performance by talented musicians. Finish off your visit with an espresso at the palazzo’s café. The museum is open daily, and it is rarely necessary to wait in line.

Colle del Gianicolo

This hilltop offers up some of the best panoramic views in Rome, with sightlines to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Tiber River and the mountains surrounding Lazio. Stroll through the park for some respite from the busy city, and keep an eye out for a familiar fountain: it’s been featured in several films. You can reach the hilltop by foot or via the #15 bus. We recommend visiting at sunset to enjoy the views both in the daylight and after dark. The area around Colle del Gianicolo is not particularly touristy (perfect for romantic walks with loved ones), but there are several spots to stop for a coffee or a bite to eat.

Piazza Navona

Experience the beauty of this bustling square among its stunning sculptures, architecture and the cathedral nearby. The area is packed with restaurants, bars, gelato stands, cafes, shops and street performers. Visit early in the day to avoid the biggest crowds, and take a seat for a meal or espresso as you enjoy the festive atmosphere. Tip: Walk one block from the square in any direction to find some delicious, less expensive dining options.

Trastevere

Tastevere is one of the centers of Roman night life, rich in pubs, clubs and restaurants. Today, the area is home to many expatriates and American college students, with two American universities located in the neighborhood.

Quadraro

There’s one in every city—authentic, independent, scruffy and riddled in graffiti. A visit to Quadraro is a view inside the true local spirit of Rome. Enjoy the neighborhood’s colorful streets, its fantastic restaurants and its vibrant atmosphere.

Garbatella

Hidden behind the buildings of Garbatella are sub-tropical gardens and charming courtyards. These lush communal spaces are usually accessible to the public and are dotted with palms and banana and orange trees. Possessing a bit of exoticism and a laid-back vibe, Garbatella has also become known for its street art and the recent revival of its vegetable gardens.

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