Rome

Rome is seriously great as a fall travel destination or spring getaway.

April through June and September through October bring warm temperatures and much less rain. That’s why Rome is one of our top picks for a trip in October. Just be prepared for crowds and long lines — that’s the trade-off.

Winter temperatures are still pretty mild, but it does get rainy. On the plus side, Rome is way quieter and you won’t be waiting forever at the main attractions — unless you’re going for New Year’s Eve.

Summer is hot — genuinely hot. But Rome is actually less crowded in summer than in spring or fall, which might make it worth it depending on your priorities.

The easiest way to get around is by subway — Romans call it the “Metro.” Despite being a major city, Rome only has three lines: A, B, and C. You can see which ones you’ll need on the Rome Metro Map.

There are also buses and trams. At night the subway closes, but night buses step in. Check the Rome Night Bus Schedule for routes.

Punctuality can be hit or miss — waiting at a stop longer than expected is completely normal here. Just build a little buffer into your plans.

Heads up: You can’t buy tickets on the bus. For night buses especially, grab your ticket in advance since kiosks and metro stations will be closed.

Public Transit Tickets

Tickets work on all modes of transit and are sold at ticket machines in subway stations, tobacco shops, and ATAC service counters. Here’s what’s available:

• BIT Ticket: €1.50 (valid for 100 minutes on all transit, but only one subway ride)
• Roma 24 ore: €7 (24-hour ticket)
• Roma 48 ore: €12.50 (48-hour ticket)
• Roma 72 ore: €18 (72-hour ticket)
• C.I.S.: €24 (weekly ticket, valid for 7 days)

There’s also the Roma Pass, which you can order online and pick up at various spots around the city.

From the first validation, it gives you unlimited rides on all public transportation, lets you skip the line at the Colosseum, and unlocks discounts at various attractions. It comes in 48 or 72-hour versions.

Heads up: The Roma Pass does not cover transportation to Fiumicino Airport.

Italy is not the cheapest destination, and Rome is no exception. That said, you can definitely save in certain areas. Here’s a realistic overview of what to expect:

Flight to Rome: €15 to €60
Night in a decent mid-range hotel: €100 to €200
1-liter bottle of water at a kiosk: €2 to €3
Beer (0.4 liters): €4 to €5
Cappuccino: €2 to €3
Bus or metro ticket: €1.50
Dinner at a casual restaurant: €20 to €30
Dinner at an upscale restaurant: €30 to €60

You can pay by debit or credit card almost everywhere, or withdraw cash. ATM withdrawals abroad typically cost between €2 and €6 in fees — a no-fee credit card means you pay nothing.

As for tipping — it’s not expected in Rome. Many tourists do it anyway, which means some servers have come to expect it. Leaving a few extra euros as a tip is always appreciated and definitely not wrong.

Rome is about as safe as any major European city — think London or Paris. You can walk through the center at night without any real concerns. The streets are lively and there’s a solid police presence, especially around tourist areas.

That said, petty crime does happen — pickpocketing in particular. Hotspots like the Trevi Fountain are prime territory for people who are good at slipping their hand into a bag without you noticing.

The simple fix: carry only a small amount of cash and keep your valuables close — ideally in a front pocket or a zipped bag.

The one area to be a little more cautious at night is around Termini station. The main forecourt is fine (that’s where the airport shuttles leave from), but the surrounding streets can attract some shady characters after dark. Then again, that’s true of most major train stations.

Absolutely. Tap water is safe to drink across the EU — and in Rome, that’s been true for over 2,000 years. No reason for it to change now.

Honestly, the tap water tastes pretty good too. You’ll also find small public fountains with clean drinking water all over the city, so bring a reusable bottle and you won’t need to buy water at all.

For a city trip you really don’t need much — you’re only there for a few days and everything has to fit in your bag. Check out our city trip packing list so nothing gets forgotten.

One thing that’s really worth thinking about for Rome specifically: the streets and sidewalks are often uneven, with cobblestones and random potholes everywhere. A good pair of sneakers will save your feet — especially when you’re walking all day between attractions.

If you’re planning an evening out at a nicer restaurant or club, pack some smarter clothes too. Italians take their appearance seriously, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Italy has three different outlet types. Hotels usually have the most common type, so you’ll often be fine without an adapter.

That said, since the other two types do exist, it’s worth throwing one in your bag just in case. A universal adapter is the safest bet — and you’ll be able to use it on every future trip too.

Rome has been a tourist city for a very long time, and Romans know it. That means anyone working with tourists speaks at least some English — usually more than just some.

Restaurants almost always have English menus, street signs are multilingual, and museum information boards cover multiple languages. At hotels, English is completely standard.

As long as you speak English, you’ll have absolutely no trouble getting around Rome.