Rome - Get Around

The River Tiber snakes its way south through the city centre, with the Centro Storico (historic centre) on the left bank and Vatican City standing proud on the right bank.

The Centro Storico , in a loop of the Tiber and home to the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Piazza di Spagna, is partly pedestrian-only, and therefore most easily navigated on foot. It you do need to catch a bus, the main traffic hub lies on Piazza Venezia, further north while the most convenient metro stations are Piazza di Spagna, Piazza del Popolo and Colosseo.

West of the Centro Storico, on the right bank, lie the Vatican and Trastevere, backed by Gianicolo Hill. To the north is the extensive parkland of Villa Borghese, and to the east Termini train station.

Two metro lines operate in Rome. Linea A runs from Anagnina in the south-east to Battistini (north-west), while Linea B serves the south and north-east areas of the city. However, unless you have a journey of more than three stops it is generally better to walk.

Queue for a cab at one of the numerous orange taxi stops dispersed through the city centre rather than try to flag down a taxi. Avoid the taxi touts that swarm around Termini station, charging extortionate fares. If your Italian is up to it, call a radio car on 06 3570.

Rome's buses are the most reliable method of getting across the city but can get hot and crowded. Certain lines, notably the number 64 from Termini Station to the Vatican, are renowned for pickpockets, so hang on to your valuables.

In general the most efficient way of getting around is on foot, at least across the Centro Storico. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes on the cobbled streets.

Smooth running and efficient, although few in number, Rome's trams mainly serve suburban areas. The useful express service No 8 links the centre (departing from Largo Argentina) to Trastevere.

The same tickets are valid on all city bus, tram and metro services and must be bought before boarding from stations, tobacconists or newspaper kiosks. For a single journey a ticket is valid for 75 minutes and includes travel on any number of buses and trams and one metro journey. Stamp your ticket in the yellow machine when you board. Alternatively, there are one-day BIG and three-day BTI passes that offer unlimited travel within Rome. The three-day BTR pass includes travel on the mainline trains around Lazio.

Wander through the ruins of ancient temples and imperial palaces in the Roman Forum, or admire lovingly carved 17th-century fountains on Piazza Navona. See classical sculpture displayed amid the machinery of a former electricity station at the Centrale Montemartini, or ponder Mussolini's brave new architecture in EUR.

ATAC - Rome Transport website