Metro, Buses, and Other Public Transportation in Rome

Here you'll find all the key information on public transportation in and around Rome, operated by ATAC. The fastest way to get around the city is the metro. Compared to other European capitals, Rome has a fairly small metro network with just 3 lines, though it's currently being expanded. To make up for that, there's a very dense bus network covering the entire city. For destinations a bit further out in Rome and the surrounding area, there are also numerous train connections, similar to a commuter rail system.

Metro, Buses, and Other Public Transportation in Rome

What types of tickets are available for the metro and buses in Rome?

Rome's ticketing system is fairly simple: alongside the classic single ride, there are several multi-day tickets. The city of Rome (Zones 1 & 2) is split into several fare zones, with Rome's airports located in Zone 3. Metro tickets can also be used on buses, trams, and regional trains, and vice versa.

Ticket types, validity (from first use), and on-site price:

Single ride	100 minutes	€1.50
24-hour ticket	24 hours	€8.50
48-hour ticket	48 hours	€15.00
72-hour ticket	72 hours	€22.00
Weekly ticket	Until midnight on day 7	€29.00

Single Ride Ticket

The classic single-ride ticket is valid for 100 minutes and currently costs €1.50. It lets you use public transportation within fare zones 1 and 2 (the city of Rome) almost without restriction. The one catch: you can only enter the metro system once during that window. As long as you stay within the metro system, you can change trains freely, but once you exit, that ticket no longer gets you back in. Switching from the metro to a bus or tram afterward is no problem, and the same works the other way around, starting on a tram or bus and switching to the metro.

Day Pass / Multi-Day Passes

The day pass is valid for 24 hours from first use. During that time, you can use all public transportation in Rome without limit, with no metro restriction like the single-ride ticket. The same goes for the multi-day tickets, valid for either 48 or 72 hours.

Weekly Ticket

The weekly ticket works on all of Rome's public transportation, just like the others. It's valid for 7 days, but unlike the day and multi-day passes, it doesn't count full days: the ticket expires at midnight on day 7. So if you first use the weekly ticket on a Wednesday at 1:00 PM, it stays valid until 11:59:59 PM the following Tuesday.

Buying Tickets and Fare Zones

Where can I buy tickets for the metro, buses, and suburban trains in Rome?

Tickets for Rome's public transportation can be bought right at the stops. Ticket machines are available at almost every stop. In the metro and at train stations, there are also ticket counters where you can buy tickets in person. On buses, you can also buy a ticket from the driver when boarding. The easiest option is the ticket machines already mentioned: you don't need any Italian to use them, since you can switch the menu language. If you'd rather skip the hassle entirely, you can also buy tickets online in advance and have them delivered, or use your credit card or smartphone as your ticket (see contactless payment below).

How far can I travel with these tickets (zones)?

Standard tickets get you anywhere within the city of Rome. Rome counts as a two-zone area (Zone 1 + 2). Beyond that, some suburban rail lines (RL trains) also fall within your ticket's coverage. That means you can take your regular single-ride ticket or day/multi-day pass all the way to the seaside at Ostia, with no extra ticket needed. This applies to the Roma-Lido, Roma-Giardinetti, and Roma-Viterbo lines.

Coverage area:

Rome zone: metro, bus, tram, minibuses (trolleybus)
Cotral buses (urban line)
RL train: Roma – Lido
RL train: Roma – Giardinetti
RL train: Roma – Viterbo

Contactless Payment and Ticket Inspections

Contactless Tickets / Paying for Metro Tickets Contactless

Since September 2019, it's also been possible in Rome to buy or pay for metro, bus, and tram tickets contactless. Rome's transit operator ATAC has installed contactless card readers at every metro station. That means you can now simply use your credit card or smartphone as your ticket and payment method. Just tap your card on the reader at the entrance to the stop, and the fare is charged before you travel. Your first 4 rides within 24 hours are always charged at the single-ride rate. If you take more than 4 rides within 24 hours, the system automatically charges you the day-pass rate for metro, bus, and tram instead. That way, you always pay the lowest possible price without having to think about whether to buy a single ticket or a day pass. There's no longer any need to buy a ticket in advance at a machine or counter, whether single-ride or day pass.

You can use any credit card (Mastercard, Visa, etc.) with contactless payment for this free service, with no registration required beforehand. The same goes for your smartphone, as long as it supports contactless payment (NFC) and is set up accordingly.

Registering your own credit card is only necessary if you want to buy a monthly pass for Rome's public transportation along the way.

What should I know about ticket inspections?

Always remember to validate your ticket before you travel. On the metro, this usually happens automatically as you pass through the turnstiles. But don't forget to do it as well when boarding a bus, train, or tram.

If your ticket gets checked during your ride, show the inspector your purchased and validated ticket. If you're using your credit card or smartphone as your ticket, show that instead.

Tickets for Airport Transfers

Can you use these tickets for airport transfers too? No, that requires special tickets valid in Zone 3 and beyond. We've put together separate pages on getting to and from Rome's Ciampino and Fiumicino airports.

Metro, Bus & Train in Rome