The Rome Metro
The Metro is the fastest and most convenient means of transport in Rome. It only has 3 lines and covers 60 km, and although it does not currently pass by some important monuments, such as St. Peter’s, the Trevi Fountain, or Piazza Navona, you can always reach these places with a short walk. Rome is a perfect city to enjoy on foot.
The limited development of the Rome Metro, compared to Moscow (360 km), Paris (over 200 km), London (over 400 km), or Madrid (almost 300 km), is understandable given the difficulties of excavating a subsoil full of archaeological remains. Work is currently underway to build a new line and extend the existing ones.
Basic information
Tickets
A Metro ride costs €1.50, and the same ticket can be used on buses and trams for 100 minutes. Tickets are sold at tobacconists, newsstands, and Metro stations. You can find all the information you need in our transport tickets section.
Payment via Tap&Go
Now, you can also access the Metro without buying a ticket, paying directly with your credit card or any payment-enabled device (mobile phone, smartwatch, etc.), thanks to the Tap&Go system. You will find contactless readers on all bus lines and at Metro stations.
When payment is made, a green light appears on the reader screen and the access turnstile is unlocked.
With the Atac Tap & Go app, you can check your payments and access your trips.
To avoid possible fines, it is advisable to tap your credit card whenever you change modes of transport, even if you are within the 100-minute validity period of the paid journey. The system will recognize this, and you will not be charged a second time. This way, you will have proof that you accessed the transport before the 100 minutes were up.
Please note: the system does not allow you to pay for another person’s journey with a credit card; it only works for the cardholder.
In the event of a check by ATAC staff, simply present the credit card used to make the payment or show the payment in the app.
More information: atac.roma.it.
Timetable
The Metro lines start operating at 5:30 a.m. and close at 11:30 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, they run until 1:30 a.m.
Closing at 11:30 p.m. means that the last train leaves the terminus at that time: trains continue running until they reach the last stop.
Beware of pickpockets
The subway is a high-risk area for theft, especially during rush hour when it is crowded and you have to push your way in.
Always keep an eye on your wallet!
Subway Map
The Metro is very easy to use. You can consult the official ATAC metro map here, which includes the tram lines. Rome Metro maps usually include:
- The three Metro lines: A, B, and C
- Three suburban lines
- Eight regional lines – FL
Below is a brief description of all the lines that appear on the maps, with their characteristics, train frequency, etc.
The three Metro lines
At present, Rome only has three lines (A, B, and C), although another is under construction. To see the stops, consult the map provided in the previous point.
| Lines | Frequency | Comments |
| Line A ORANGE | Approximately 3 minutes Sat. and Sun. up to 5 minutes | This is the line most used by tourists. It has new, well-maintained cars. |
| Line B BLUE | Approximately 5 minutes Sat. and Sun. 9 minutes | It goes to St. Paul Outside the Walls and connects with the train that goes to Ostia Antica. |
| Line B1 BLUE | Approximately 5 minutes Sat. and Sun. 9′ | The most interesting stop is Santa Agnese, which is next to the basilica and catacombs of Santa Inés Extramuros. |
| Line C GREEN | Approximately 12′ | Until its route is completed (which will pass through the city center), it is not very useful for tourists. |
Three suburban lines
These lines are part of the regional train network, but are managed by the same company that manages the Metro. They function for all intents and purposes as extensions of the Metro and use the same ticket. When there are extra-urban sections, which are more expensive, they are clearly indicated on the map.
| Lines | Frequency | Comments |
| Roma Lido | 10 to 15′ Sunday up to 30′ | It is the most interesting route for tourists. It takes you to Ostia Antica in comfort. |
| Roma Viterbo | 10 to 20′ Sunday up to 30′ | It has a suburban section, which is more expensive and has less frequent train service. |
| Roma Giardinetti | 6 to 10′ Sunday and august up to 20′ | It follows Via Casilina. The starting point of the line is on Via Giolitti, next to Termini station. |
Eight regional lines – FL
These are not extensions of the Metro, but rather regional trains (operated by Trenitalia), which function like any other train: stations with multiple platforms, a network of tracks with different services running on them, trains with fixed schedules, etc. However, the FL lines are integrated with the city’s public transport system in terms of fares.
The system is somewhat more complex to use than the Metro. It’s easy to get onto the wrong platform (or track, in Italian) and end up on a train going in the opposite direction. If you’re unsure about the signage, ask someone on the platform for directions.
Tickets: For the urban sections, the same Metro ticket is used. Tickets for the suburban sections can be purchased at train stations or online.
You should check the prices and timetables directly on the Trenitalia website.
| Lines | Comments |
| FL 1 Orte – Roma Tiburtina – Fiumicino | This train takes you to Fiumicino airport from Tiburtina station (on the B line) or Tuscolana station (on the A line) for €8. Trains depart every 15 minutes. It does not stop at Termini station. |
| FL 2 Roma Tiburtina – Tivoli | It takes you to the town of Tivoli (not to Hadrian’s Villa) on trips that last around 1 hour, for €3. |
| FL 3 Roma Ostiense – Viterbo/Cesano | It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to Viterbo. |
| FL 4 Roma Termini – Albano/Frascati/Velletri | It has interesting destinations such as Frascati and Castel Gandolfo. It’s important to check the timetables to avoid getting to the wrong location. |
| FL 5 Roma Termini – Civitavecchia | It takes you to Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, located 80 km away. |
| FL 6 Roma Termini – Frosinone | Both the FL6 and FL4 trains pass through the town of Ciampino, but they are located some distance from the airport (you will need to take another bus). |
| FL 7 Roma Termini – Latina | Once they reach the end of the FL line, some regional trains continue on to Naples. |
| FL 8 Roma Termini – Nettuno | |
| LEONARDO EXPRESS Roma – Fiumicino Airport | This is a direct, non-stop express service from Termini station (platform 24) to Fiumicino airport. Trains depart every 15 minutes and the journey takes 32 minutes. The fare is €14. |
You can view the map with the different lines by clicking on this image:
Train frequency on regional lines (FL)
It’s not possible to give general guidelines, as it depends on many factors:
- The type of route (urban or suburban)
- The day of the week (weekday or weekend)
- The time of day
- The season, etc.
For example, on the FL2 line, there are 28 trains to Tivoli on weekdays, but only 11 on Sundays. The trains operate on a precise schedule, and it’s easy to check the timetable online.
Other useful information
Pets in the Rome Metro
Small and medium-sized dogs are allowed on the Metro, provided they have a ticket. They must travel in the first or last carriage, on a leash, and wearing a muzzle.
Bicycle transport
The rules vary depending on whether the bicycles are foldable or not. Foldable bicycles (those that can be folded down to dimensions not exceeding 110 x 80 x 40 cm) can be taken on all Metro lines, the Rome-Lido line, and on buses and trams without any restrictions and free of charge.
Non-foldable bicycles have more restrictions:
- First, a separate ticket must be purchased (those with a travel pass can carry them free of charge).
- Bicycles with motors are not permitted.
- They can only be carried on lines A, B, C, and the Rome-Lido line, and on some bus and tram lines.
- Only one bicycle is allowed per carriage, and never when the carriage is crowded.
- They must be placed in the designated wheelchair spaces, and only when these spaces are empty.
- The use of escalators is not permitted, and the elevator must be used in stations that have one.
- Some stations on line A are not accessible for bicycles: Spagna, Barberini, Repubblica, Termini, Vittorio Emanuele, and San Giovanni.
You can find more information about transporting bicycles on atac.roma.it and romamobilita.it