International Transport
Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is Rome’s principal airport. Also known
as Leonardo da Vinci, the airport is located 30km southwest of the city centre.
Fiumicino handles numerous domestic flights within Italy, as well as
international flights to all major cities. A free 24-hour shuttle service links
the airport’s three terminals.
Italy’s national airline is Alitalia (www.alitalia.it).
Other major airlines serving Rome are Air China, Air France, British Airways,
Air Canada, Continental Airlines, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines
and Delta Airlines.
Airport facilities include 24-hour currency change, ATMs, Banca
di Roma counters, left-luggage, first aid facility and medical office for
vaccinations, a pharmacy, a nursery, bars, restaurants, duty-free shops, post
offices, APT tourist information, a chapel and prayer room, hotel reservation
and car hire. An ‘Executive Centre’ in Terminal A provides meeting rooms,
secretarial and translation services and video conferencing. There are also
several airline VIP lounges with telephone and fax facilities.
The best way into town from Fiumicino Airport is by train. There is a non-stop
express to Termini Station, the central rail station, and a
train to Tiburtina Station on the east side of Rome.
As for taxis, you'll probably find a crowd of people soliciting to drive you
into Rome, but it is best to go to the taxi stand and use only
the yellow or white taxis. Make sure the metre is running and if not, settle on
a fare before you leave the airport. Travel time will be 40 to 60 minutes.
Buses are also available through Terravision. The service from
Fiumicino stops at Lepanto metro station and Termini train station. There are
Terravision desks in all the arrivals halls. The journey takes around 70
minutes.
Ciampino Airport (CIA), Rome’s second airport, is located about
15km southeast of the city centre. Over 100 airlines use Ciampino, in addition
to charter flights and budget airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet.
Airport facilities include a bank, currency exchange, a bar, a post office, gift
shops, information, car hire and a VIP lounge.
COTRAL buses run from Ciampino airport to Ciampino train
station, or Anagnina metro station (line A). From Anagnina, it is a direct
30-minute metro journey to Termini station; from Ciampino station, it is a
direct 15-minute journey to Termini station. The bus starts at 06:50 and stops
running at 23:40, when a taxi journey to the centre may become the only option.
Many airlines provide their own private bus service for a fee to the city
centre. Visitors should enquire when purchasing their air ticket. Terravision
also provides a bus service to connect with all Ryanair and Easyjet flights.
Tickets can be purchased at the airport Arrivals Hall.
Domestic Transport
Various bus lines run services to cities throughout Italy. The
main bus station is on Piazzale Tiburtina, in front of Tiburtina Station. Metro
line B runs between Tiburtina Station and Termini Train Station, or bus Nos 649
and 492.
COTRAL buses service the Lazio region and depart from numerous
points throughout the city, depending on their destination. The company is
linked with Rome’s public transport system, meaning that you can buy one
Metrebus ticket that covers buses, trams, metro and train lines.
Travel on Rome’s buses, trams, metro and railways is part of
the same system. Metrebus tickets, also known as BIT are valid for all modes of
transport. You can buy tickets at newsstands, tobacco shops, vending machines,
main bus stops, and bus and metro stations. Tickets must be purchased
before boarding and then validated on board the bus or tram, or at the entrance
gates for the metro. Invalidated tickets incur a fine.
Rome’s metro system is very useful and quite safe as long as
you are alert. There are two lines – line A and line B. Both lines pass through
the main Termini Station and operate from 05:30 to 23:30, every 5 to 10 minutes
or so. All metro stations on line B have facilities for the physically
challenged, except for Colosseo and Cavour.
The Italian State Railway, known as TrenItalia, runs a fast and
efficient service throughout the country. Almost all trains arrive and depart
from Termini Station (Stazione Termini) in central Rome. There are regular
connections to all major cities in Italy and Europe.
There is an English-speaking train information service, located
in Termini Station. They provide helpful information, but cannot make train
reservations for you. Bookings must be made outside at Sportello 8.
If you speak Italian, you can book by phone then pick up the
ticket from the automatic machines in most stations. Phone bookings can be made
by calling 848 888 088.
Otherwise, most travel agents with a TrenItalia sign in the window can make help
you with all aspects of train travel, including reservations, or visit the
TrenItalia website at:
www.trenitalia.it which has an English-language option.
Note
Venice can only be reached from Rome on the faster Eurostar service or by
taking a Eurostar train to Bologna and then an Intercity to Venice. Eurostar
trains are at least 20% more expensive and only stop at major cities like
Florence, Bologna, Milan and Naples. Visit
www.eurostar.com for more information.
 Car
Thousands of years of urban development and restrictions on traffic in Rome’s
historical centre have made it very difficult for modern vehicles to reach the
central tourist areas. However, if you are determined, expect some pretty hectic
and chaotic driving experiences. To reach Rome, if you are coming from the
north, take the A1 highway and take the exit marked Roma Nord. If you are coming
from the south, take the Roma Est exit. After a few kilometres both exits take
you to the Grand Raccordo Anulare (GRA) which is the ring road around the city
that links the highways and state roads (‘SS’/strade statali).
Road signs are international and traffic drives on the right. The minimum age
for driving is 18 years. Passengers are required by law to wear seatbelts. The
legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.05%. Speed limits are 130kph on motorways,
90/110kph on country roads, and 50kph in urban areas. Fines for speeding and
other driving offences are on-the-spot and particularly heavy. All vehicles must
carry a red warning triangle, available at border posts, and a yellow or orange
reflective jacket which must be worn at night or in bad visibility by motorists
whose car breaks down. The latter is available at the AA shop in Dover. There is
an on-the-spot fine for failing to wear it.
UK driving licenses and EU pink-format licenses are valid in Italy (UK green
licenses must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit) and a Green
Card and motor insurance certificate are strongly recommended. A driving license
or a motorcycle driving license is required for motorcycles over 49cc and the
wearing of crash helmets is compulsory. Visitors should note that many petrol
stations in town close between 13:00 and 15:00, though some now offer the
self-service option payable by credit card.
The AA or RAC in Britain and the AAA in America have reciprocal agreements with
the Automobile Club d’Italia, who provide useful advisory and breakdown
services. For emergency breakdown service call: 803 116.
Cars can be hired by drivers aged 21 years (23 for some firms) and above, on
presentation of a passport and valid driving license (held for at least one
year). A credit card number or cash deposit is requested and a valid
international insurance policy is also necessary. Full insurance is advised.
Sea
Ferry and hydrofoil services to and from Sardinian ports are run by a number of
companies including Tirrenia Navigazione (www.tirrenia.it),
Moby Lines (www.mobylines.it),
and Sardinia Ferries (www.corsicaferries.com).
The Port of Civitavecchia, located at Molo Vespucci is run by the Autorità
Portuale di Civitavecchia. Facilities include ATM machines, a bar, left-luggage
and a waiting room.
 Taxi
Taxi ranks are located at various points around the city centre. Visitors are
advised to use only the yellow and white official taxis. Surcharges are applied
for each item of luggage, night service (22:00-07:00), on Sundays, public
holidays, and for out-of-town journeys, such as airport transfers. While taxis
may be called by telephone, the meter is turned on immediately after the call
and not on pick-up. Tipping of 5-10% is gratefully received.
Companies include Radio Taxi, (phone: 06 3570), Radio Taxi Samarcanda (phone: 06
5551), Pronto Taxi (phone: 06 6645), and Radio Taxi Tevere (phone: 06 41571).
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