Getting around Rome

Public transport

Rome’s public transport system includes a metro, trams, suburban trains and buses, most of which are run by ATAC (tel: +39 06 4695 3984; www.atac.roma.it). There are three metro lines with trains running every five to 10 minutes between 0500-2330.

All tickets must be pre-purchased and are available for sale at ATAC counters, tabacchi (newsagents) and at automatic ticket dispensers at metros. The cheapest ticket, the Biglietto Integrato a Tempo (BIT), is valid for up to 100 minutes of travel. One-day, two-day, three-day and weekly passes are also available.

Taxis

Taxi ranks, with official yellow and white taxis, are located at various points around the city centre. While you can book taxis by telephone, the meter is turned on immediately after the call and not on pick-up. Tipping is not expected. To pre-book a taxi, call Radio Taxi (tel: +39 06 3570), Radio Taxi Samarcanda (tel: +39 06 5551) or Pronto Taxi (tel: +39 06 6645).

Driving

Driving in Rome is complicated given the number of streets and the number of restricted driving zones (ZTL) in the city center, where traffic is restriced to non-residents in Zone B, C, D and E from Monday through Friday between 0630 and 1800 and on Saturdays between 1400 and 1800 and in Zone C from Monday until Friday between 0630 and 1900 and on Saturdays between 1400 and 1900.  In Zone Trastevere ZTL 2 traffic is restricted from Friday until Monday from 0930-0300; from Wednesday until Thursday from 0930-0300 between May and October. The restriction in Zone Travestere ZTL 2 is suspended in August.

Blue markings denote pay-and-display parking. You can pay for tickets at the meter or the nearest tobacconist. The most convenient car park is at Villa Borghese and is open 24 hours. Other car parks are located at Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina stations.

Car hire

You can hire cars at the airport, railway station and hotels. You need to be at least 21 (age limits can vary depending on the car category) and require a credit card and an EU driving licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Recommended car hire firms include Avis (tel: +39 06 481 4373; www.avisautonoleggio.it), Europcar (tel: +39 06 488 2854; www.europcar.it) and Maggiore (tel: +39 06 2245 6060; www.maggiore.it).

Bicycle hire

Bicycles, scooters and motorbikes are available for hire at Bici & Baci, Via del Viminale 5 (tel: +39 06 482 8443; www.bicibaci.com).

RomaRentBike, Via di San Paolo alla Regola 33 (tel: +39 380 643 2278; www.romarentbike.com), offers bike rental and bicycle tours.