By Bus, Metro & Tram in Rome

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By Bus, Metro & Tram

There's no central bus terminal in Rome. COTRAL is the suburban bus company that connects Rome with outlying areas and other cities in the Lazio region. Long-distance and suburban buses terminate either near Tiburtina Station or near outlying metro stops such as Rebbibia and Anagnina. For COTRAL bus information, call weekdays 8 AM-6 PM.

Rome's metro (subway) is somewhat limited, but it's a quick, stress-free, and safe way to get around town if there's a stop where you're going. The public bus and tram system is the opposite -- routes are extensive, but the city's narrow streets and chronic traffic can make street-level transport slow. Metro service begins at 5:30 AM, and the last trains leave the most distant station at 11:30 PM (on Saturday night, trains run until 12:30 AM). There are two lines -- A and B -- which intersect at Stazione Termini. Buses run day and night, although some routes change after 10 PM or midnight. Stops are marked by high white signs on yellow poles listing bus numbers and upcoming stops, but for serious exploring, a bus map (available at newsstands) is invaluable. The compact electric buses of Lines 117 and 119 take routes through the center of Rome that can save lots of walking. Routes change frequently, but you can plan itineraries and download maps before you go at ATAC's Web site.

Fares & Schedules

ATAC city buses and tram lines run from about 6 AM to midnight, with night buses (indicated N) on some lines. A ticket valid for 75 minutes on any combination of buses and trams and one entrance to the metro costs EUR 1. You are expected to date-stamp your ticket when you board the first vehicle, stamping it again when boarding for the last time within 75 minutes (the important thing is to stamp it the first time). Tickets for the public transit system are sold at tobacconists, newsstands, some coffee bars, green machines positioned in metro stations and some bus stops, and at ATAC and COTRAL ticket booths (in some metro stations, on the lower concourse at Stazione Termini, and at a few main bus terminals). A BIG tourist ticket, valid for one day on all public transport, costs EUR 4. A weekly ticket (Settimanale, also known as CIS) costs EUR 15 and can be purchased only at ATAC booths.

Bus & Metro Information

ATAC (800/431784 toll free. www.atac.roma.it). COTRAL (800/150008 toll-free).