Arrival, communication and information
Rome has two airports: Leonardo da Vinci (better known as Fiumicino), serving all course flights, and Ciampino for charters. Getting to the city by taxi is very expensive from both airports and it is better to rely on public transport, unless there are four people. Z Fiumicino (•60121) the matter is simple: from 6.00 do 21.00 ACOTRAL buses run every 15 minut do Roma Termini Station (via Giolitti), which takes approx. 45 minutes; 5000 L; at other times they run every half hour. With Ciampino (• 4694) it's a little harder: by the ACOTRAL bus to the A Subaugusta line stop, where from in 20 Termini is a minute's drive away. (When leaving Rome for Ciampino, take the yellow bus with the words "Aeroporto", and not the blue bus to Ciampino, which only reaches the town of that name).
When traveling by train from most cities in Italy, you arrive at the Stazione Termini station in the city center (• 4775), where also two metro lines and numerous bus lines converge. There are also other train stations: Some trains depart from Tiburtina to the cities on the north-south axis, from Ostiense trains to Ostia Antica and Lido; Some trains in Lazio depart both from the Laziali platform at Stazione Termini, as well as from the ACOTRAL station on Piazzale Flaminio (•3610441) - the so-called Roma-Nord line.
Arriving by bus, you can find yourself at many stations scattered throughout the city. The main stations are on viale Castro Pretorio, five minutes walk east of Termini - runs to southern Lazio; via Gaeta, in front of Termini - runs to Tivoli and towns east of the city; oraz via Lepanto, across the Tiber north of the Vatican, going to northern Lazio. However, there are also other stations, complete information can be obtained from ACOTRAL (• 5798 the 57005).
By car, you can reach the Granda Raccordo Anulare bypass, connected with all major arteries from the city center: via Cassia from the north, via Salaria to the northeast, via Tiburtina or via Nomenta from the east, via Appia Antica or via Cristofo Colombo to the south and via Aurelia to the west.
Public transport
As in most Italian cities, even large ones, the best way to get around Rome is on foot, so you can see more and better appreciate the beauty of the city. Rome was not built for car traffic, which can be seen in traffic jams, air pollution and explosiveness of drivers. However, it must be said, that the bus network operated by AT AC is quite cheap, punctual and fast enough, as far as crowded streets allow. Single tickets can be purchased in bars with the AT AC sign or in booths at larger bus stops 700 L and must be validated after boarding the bus at the machine at the back of the car. You can save, by buying a block of ten tickets too 6000 L or card a 1000 L valid or from midnight to 14.00 or from 14.00 until midnight. Of course, if you travel a lot by bus, it is worth buying both cards. Other cards available are: one-day trip valid on all buses and trains in the city, behind 2800 L; weekly tourist card valid on all day and night buses, behind 10 000 L, or also a monthly ticket for all A TAC's bus lines 22000 L. All cards can be purchased at the AT AC booth in Piazza dei Cinquecento.
Rome also has a metro, which takes some pressure off the streets. However, it is not that useful, as you might think, because its two lines are used to transport workers living in the suburbs rather than to transport tourists around the city center. However, it is less crowded (and cooler) than buses and has several stations conveniently located in the center: Termini is the main node of both lines, and there are also stations at the Colosseum, Piazza Barberini and the Spanish Steps. Subway line diagrams are posted at each station, while in the yellow phone book you can find a complete list of bus and tram lines. People wishing to use the metro more often should invest in a public transport plan too 1000 L; Also available at the information desk in Piazza dei Cinquecento.
Buses and the subway run until about midnight, when there are night buses serving most of the city roughly to 5.00. There are also several tram lines during the day, one of which - no 30 - provides a pleasant way of lazily exploring the sights in the city center, because you drive for two hours in a circle from Piazza del Risorgimento to Piazza San Giovanni di Dio for only 700 L. AT AC organizes bus tours around the city; details in "Informator".
In principle, it is not worth driving taxis, unless in a group or late hour: as a rule, they are not much faster than other modes of transport, and they cost a lot. No need to wave at passing vehicles, but you have to go to a stop - the most important ones are near Termini, Piazza Venezia i Piazza San SiWestro, you can also call the number 3570, 3875 the 4994. You should only drive licensed yellow taxis and be sure, whether the taximeter was turned on after moving off (should show 2500 L).
Finally, you can rent a bike or scooter. Scoot-a-long, via Cavour 302 (• 6780206) rents scooters (but not bicycles) after more or less 30 000 L per day; Motorcycle rental, way of Purification 66 (• 465485) rents both scooters and bicycles.
information
EPT information desks can be found at Fiumicino Airport and Stazione Termini Station (codz. 8.30-19.00), but there are so many queues there, better to go straight to the main office in via Parigi 5 (pn.-sb. 8.30-19.00; • 463748). They have free plans there, which - in combination with your own - should be enough to get around the city. The office also helps you find accommodation, and handing out huge piles of tourist material about Rome and the surrounding area; the free Qui Roma brochure is useful, there is also an English version.
General information on Italy can be obtained from the office of the national tourism organization ENIT, to the right of Termini station when you exit, at via Marghera 2 (pn.-pt. 9.00-13.00; • 4971282).