Rome : Getting Around

The traffic in Rome is legendary, and renting a motorbike or moped can be especially risky. Venture into this only if your reflexes are great. And watch out for jaywalkers. Most of the historic centre of Rome is closed to normal traffic, although you will be allowed to drive to your hotel. You'll need to get a parking permit from the traffic police if you wish to park anywhere in the centre, or you'll risk being towed. To rent a car you'll need to be at least 21 years old. If you organise your car in advance it will cost you less. There are several rental agencies for cars, motorbikes, mopeds and bicycles, though it is really best to leave the driving to someone else. Leonardo da Vinci airport is 26 kilometres southwest of the city. One of the most convenient ways to get into town is by the Stazione Termini direct train, which usually runs Crowded tourist sites all over the world are at pickpocket and gypsy risk and Italy is no exception. One should always be on alert for these petty thieves, but a good offence is the best defence. Keep your money hidden preferably in an inside pocket or money belt. Buses run from various city bus stops to the Lazio region and from Stazione Tiburtina to other destinations throughout Italy. Eurolines is the main carrier for other European destinations, leaving from opposite Tiburtina.

The city's Metro service (which is convenient for many of Rome's sights) has two lines, both of which go through Termini. The above-ground rail network isn't of much use to visitors. Stazione Termini is connected to both metro lines; Trastevere is on the rail line between Termini and the airport, and Ostiense in south Rome on Metro Line B, has connections to Ostia and Naples. Tickets need to be validated using yellow hourly from the airport. You can also get a train from the airport to Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina. A night bus runs to Stazione Tiburtina.

Rome's other airport is Ciampino, about 20 kilometres southeast of the city. From there you can catch a Cotral bus that connects with a subway to Stazione Termini, or you can drive down the Via Appia Nuova.

Rome is halfway down Italy's western coast, about 20 kilometres inland. It's a vast city, but the historic centre is quite small, with most of the major sights within a reasonable distance of the central railway station, Stazione Termini. The Palatine Hill and the Forum are the centre of ancient Rome. Via del Corso runs north from the Forum to Piazza del Popolo, with the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain just to its east. The Vatican is northwest of the Forum, across the River Tiber. The main road connecting Rome to the north and south of Italy is the Autostrada del Sole, which connects with the ring road circling the city.

The city bus company is ATAC, and most of the main buses terminate at the bus station machines on the platform before boarding a train.

There are regular train connections to all the major cities in Italy and Europe from Termini station, just northeast of the Palatine Hill and the Forum. These lines are the best ones for visitors - Tram 8 connects Centre Storico to Trastevere before terminating at Villa Pamphilj, Tram 19 runs from the Vatican around Villa Borghese, and Tram 3 runs from Villa Borghese to Stazione Trastevere, stopping en route at Stazione Termini, the Colosseum and StazJone Ostiense.

You can pick up a cab from one of the city's many taxi ranks or phone one any time of day. Be warned though, taxis are notoriously expensive, and if you call a cab, the meter is turned on as soon as you call, rather than when you are picked up. Use only licensed, metered yellow or white cabs, identified by a numbered shield on the side, an illuminated taxi sign on the roof, and a plaque next to the license plate reading servizio pubblico. Avoid unmarked, unauthorized and unmetered gypsy cabs.

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