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Voykit pocket guide · Italy
Rome
Roma
Rome is a morning-and-evening city: book the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums for opening slots, rest through the midday heat, and walk the piazzas after 18:00.
Rome's centre is walkable, but the sights are spread over cobbles, hills and heat, and the two big ones sell timed tickets that run out. The trips that go wrong are noon queues in July, big suitcases on sampietrini cobbles, and a Vatican day planned without a booked slot. Four walking clusters cover a first visit; Ostia Antica and Tivoli are trips away from one kept bed.
- Country
- Italy
- Local name
- Roma
- Best months
- Jan · Feb · Mar · May · Sep · Oct
- Time zone
- Europe/Rome
- Stay
- 2 days: Colosseum and Forum, Pantheon and Trevi; Vatican if you skip a sight
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Cards and contactless work in most restaurants, hotels and shops; bars, markets and some taxis prefer cash for small amounts. Many restaurants add a cover charge (coperto).
- Daily spend
- Budget €50–90 excl. bed · Mid €90–180 excl. bed · High €180+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Install an eSIM before you fly, or buy a tourist SIM at a phone shop in the city (passport needed).
- Emergency
- Any emergency (EU-wide) 112 · Ambulance 118 · Police (polizia) / Carabinieri 113 / 112 · Fire brigade 115
- Plugs
- 230 V; two-pin (types C and F) and the three-pin type L. Bring a universal adapter.
- Tipping
- Not expected; round up or leave a few euro for good service. A service charge may already be on the bill.
- Water
- Tap water and the public fountains are safe to drink.
- Toilets
- Bars (buy a coffee), museums and paid toilets at stations; carry small coins.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Espresso at the bar | €1.20–2.00 |
| Pizza al taglio, per slice | €3–6 |
| Pasta lunch in a trattoria | €12–22 |
| Gelato, small cup | €2.50–4 |
| Metro or bus single ticket | €1.50–2.00 |
| Taxi, short city ride | €10–18 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- Rome Ciampino (CIA)
- CIA to Rome: an airport shuttle bus to Termini is the cheap path, but it does not wait for a late flight; after the last shuttle it is a fixed-fare white taxi.
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO)
- FCO to Rome: the Leonardo Express train to Termini is about 32 minutes; after the last train it is a white taxi at a fixed fare inside the city walls — the risk is a long immigration queue, not the ride.
By rail and road
| Station | Serves | To the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Roma Termini | High-speed trains to Florence, Naples, Milan, Venice; regional trains; airport express | Metro to Colosseo 4 min; to Spagna 6 min |
| Roma Tiburtina | Some high-speed trains; long-distance buses | Metro B to Termini about 10 min |
| Coach terminal at Tiburtina (Autostazione Tiburtina) | FlixBus and regional coaches | Metro B to Termini about 10 min |
| Leonardo Express from Fiumicino (Leonardo Express) | Non-stop airport train to Termini | About 32 minutes, €14 |
Typical fares
- Leonardo Express, airport to Termini
- €14, about 32 minutes
- Fiumicino to inside the city walls by taxi (fixed fare)
- €55
- Metro, bus or tram single
- €1.50–2.00, about 100 minutes
Show 8 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Eat, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk inside a cluster; use the metro or a taxi between clusters. Line A links Termini, Spagna, the Vatican (Ottaviano and Cipro) and Barberini; line B links Termini, Colosseo and Circo Massimo. A single ticket is about €1.50 and lasts 100 minutes.
| How | Fare | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Inside the historic centre, Monti and Trastevere |
| Metro (lines A, B and C) | €1.50 single, 100 min; 24 h about €7 (2026 estimate) | Colosseo, Termini, Spagna, Ottaviano |
| City bus and tram (ATAC) | €1.50 single; validate on boarding | Routes the metro does not cover, e.g. to Trastevere |
| Taxi (white, official) | €10–18 short ride; €55 fixed from Fiumicino to inside the walls | Bags, night, Vatican Museums |
| Ride-hail (Uber, FreeNow) | €10–25 short ride | Late evening |
| E-scooter and bike hire | €1 plus about €0.25 per minute (check) | Short flat legs |
| Regional and high-speed train | Florence from about €20 to €50; Naples from about €15 to €40 (check) | Day trips from Termini |
Fares are estimates; check before you ride.
- Passes
- No pass for a short stay. Rome's 24/48/72-hour tickets pay back only with several rides a day; check current prices.
- Late at night
- Metro lines A and B close around 23:30 on most nights (later some weekends; check); night buses and taxis cover the rest.Metro lines A and B close around 11:30 PM on most nights (later some weekends; check); night buses and taxis cover the rest.
See and do
01ColosseumColosseo
The image of the city: book the first timed slot and add the Forum on the same ticket.
Hours: best First slot, about 08:30 · Price: About €18 plus fee · Time: 1.5–2 hHours: best First slot, about 8:30 AM · Price: About €18 plus fee · Time: 1.5–2 h · 41.8902, 12.4922
02Roman Forum and Palatine HillForo Romano e Palatino
The centre of the ancient city, best walked in the cool morning hours.
Hours: best Opening · Price: Included in the Colosseum ticket · Time: 1.5–2 h · 41.8925, 12.4853
03Vatican Museums and Sistine ChapelMusei Vaticani
Raphael Rooms and the Sistine ceiling; book a timed ticket.
Hours: best First slot · Price: About €20 plus fee · Time: 3 h · 41.9065, 12.4536
04St Peter's BasilicaBasilica di San Pietro
Free, huge and calm inside; add the dome for the view.
Hours: best 07:00 or after 16:00 · Price: Free; dome about €8–10 · Time: 45–90 minHours: best 7:00 AM or after 4:00 PM · Price: Free; dome about €8–10 · Time: 45–90 min · 41.9022, 12.4539
05Pantheon
The best-preserved ancient building in the city, with an open oculus.
Hours: best Opening or after 17:00 · Price: About €5 · Time: 25 minHours: best Opening or after 5:00 PM · Price: About €5 · Time: 25 min · 41.8986, 12.4769
06Trevi FountainFontana di Trevi
A free stop; magic at 07:00 or after 22:00.A free stop; magic at 7:00 AM or after 10:00 PM.
Hours: best Before 08:00 · Price: Free · Time: 15 minHours: best Before 8:00 AM · Price: Free · Time: 15 min · 41.9009, 12.4833
07Piazza Navona
A Baroque square with three fountains and evening life.
Hours: best After 18:00 · Price: Free · Time: 30 minHours: best After 6:00 PM · Price: Free · Time: 30 min · 41.8992, 12.4731
08Spanish Steps and Pincio terraceScalinata di Trinità dei Monti
A city view for free at sunset.
Hours: best Late afternoon · Price: Free · Time: 30 min · 41.9060, 12.4828
09Trastevere at dinner time
Narrow lanes, trattorias and evening crowds across the Tiber.
Hours: best From 19:00 · Price: €30–55 for dinner · Time: 2–3 hHours: best From 7:00 PM · Price: €30–55 for dinner · Time: 2–3 h
10Pizza al taglio lunch at PizzariumPizzarium
The best cheap lunch near the Vatican.
Hours: best 11:00 or 15:00 · Price: €6–12 · Time: 30 minHours: best 11:00 AM or 3:00 PM · Price: €6–12 · Time: 30 min · 41.9078, 12.4462
Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ostia Antica | Regional train from Piramide about 30 min | Half day |
| Tivoli (Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa) | Train or bus about 1 h each way | Full day |
| Pompeii and Naples | High-speed train about 1 h 10 to Naples, then a local train | Very long as a day trip |
Eat
| Where | What · area | Price | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pizzarium Bonci | Pizza al taglio by weight · Vatican | €6–12 | Budget |
| Supplì and pizza bianca | Fried rice ball and plain pizza · Any bakery or forno | €2–5 | Budget |
| Giolitti | Gelato in a cup · Pantheon | €3.50–8 | Budget |
| Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè | Espresso at the bar · Pantheon | €2–3 | Budget |
| Pizzeria Da Baffetto | Roman pizza and beer · Navona | €15–25 | Mid-range |
| Trattoria in Monti or Testaccio (confirm locally) | Carbonara or cacio e pepe with a glass of wine · Monti, Testaccio | €22–38 | Mid-range |
| Aperitivo bar with a buffet | A drink and snacks from about 18:30 · Monti, TrastevereA drink and snacks from about 6:30 PM · Monti, Trastevere | €10–18 | Mid-range |
| Armando al Pantheon | Classic Roman menu with wine · Pantheon | €40–65 | Splurge |
| Rooftop or fine dining with a view (confirm locally) | Tasting menu · Centro | €80–150 | Splurge |
Per person, one meal, 2026 estimate. Coperto (cover charge) of €1.50 to €3 is normal at table service; check hours and reservations on the day.
Sleep
| Band | Price a night | Where | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| budget | €80–130 | Termini and Esquilino, Monti guesthouses | Hostels, guesthouses and small B&Bs |
| mid | €160–280 | Monti, centro storico | 3–4 star hotels and boutique inns |
| splurge | €350–700+ | Spanish Steps, Via Veneto, Pantheon | 5-star and historic palazzo hotels |
Per room per night in euro, 2026 estimate. City tax of €3–10 per person per night is extra and paid at the hotel (check).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Buongiornobwon-jor-no |
| Good evening | Buonaserabwo-na-say-ra |
| Thank you | Graziegrat-see-eh |
| Please | Per favoreper fa-vo-reh |
| How much is it? | Quanto costa?kwan-to kos-ta |
| The bill, please | Il conto, per favoreeel kon-to per fa-vo-reh |
| Where is the toilet? | Dov'è il bagno?do-veh eel ban-yo |
| To this address, please | A questo indirizzo, per favorea kwes-to in-dee-reet-so per fa-vo-reh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greetings: Say buongiorno or buonasera when you enter a shop, bar or small restaurant, and salve or arrivederci when you leave.
- Dress in churches: Shoulders and knees covered for St Peter's, the Vatican Museums and most churches; carry a scarf. Hats off inside.
- Bars: Pay at the cash desk first, then hand the receipt to the barista. A coffee taken standing at the counter is cheaper than at a table.
- Restaurants: Lunch from 12:30 and dinner from 19:30 or 20:00; a table is yours for the evening. Ask for the bill (il conto); it does not arrive on its own.
- Fountains and steps: Do not sit on monuments, wade in fountains or eat on the Spanish Steps: fines are issued on the spot.
- Queues: Rome queues are not always orderly; keep your place politely and expect queue-jumping at bars.
Red lines
- St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums: shoulders and knees covered; no hats inside.
- Do not sit on the Spanish Steps or wade in fountains: on-the-spot fines apply.
- Colosseum and Forum: stay on marked paths; do not climb or touch the stones.
Scams and watch-outs
- Rose, bracelet and 'free' gift sellers at the Colosseum and Spanish Steps who then ask for money: say no and keep your hands closed.
- 'Gladiator' photo actors who demand a fee after the picture: agree the price first or decline.
- Tourist restaurants near the big sights with a fixed 'tourist menu' and add-ons: check the printed prices and the coperto.
- Unofficial taxis at Termini and the airports: use the white-taxi rank, the fixed-fare sign, or an app.
One and two days
1 day
A stopover. Skip: Vatican Museums: it needs its own morning.
- 08:308:30 AMColosseum first slot
- 10:3010:30 AMRoman Forum and Palatine
- 13:001:00 PMLunch in Monti
- 15:303:30 PMPantheon
- 17:005:00 PMPiazza Navona and Trevi
- 20:008:00 PMDinner near the Pantheon
2 days
The two big sights and the centre. Skip: Galleria Borghese unless you booked.
Day 1 — Ancient Rome
- 08:308:30 AMColosseum
- 10:3010:30 AMForum and Palatine
- 13:001:00 PMLunch in Monti
- 17:005:00 PMTrevi Fountain and Spanish Steps
Day 2 — Vatican and centre
- 08:008:00 AMVatican Museums
- 12:3012:30 PMPizza at Pizzarium
- 14:002:00 PMSt Peter's Basilica
- 18:006:00 PMPantheon and Navona
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Roma Capitale tourism (official): www.turismoroma.it/
- Parco archeologico del Colosseo (official): parcocolosseo.it/
- Vatican Museums (official): www.museivaticani.va/
- Wikivoyage — Rome: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Rome
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
RomeRoma
A questo indirizzo, per favore
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Take me to
- ColosseoColosseum
- Foro Romano e PalatinoRoman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Musei VaticaniVatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- Basilica di San PietroSt Peter's Basilica
- Fontana di TreviTrevi Fountain
- Scalinata di Trinità dei MontiSpanish Steps
Write your own country's embassy number in Rome here; most embassies are in the city and keep an out-of-hours line.
Save these numbers offline. Cards work in most places; keep €30–50 in notes for bars, markets and taxis.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/rome). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.