bocacpa

Hi all:

The guidebooks tell me not to waste my money on buying maps of the Rome bus system - as they are outdated by the time they are printed.

I have been to the ATAC web site, and can navigate around alright. But to me that is not as convenient as a printed map.

Wondering if there are any recommendations for a decent book/map for Rome buses (I know - including trams and the subway) that I can pick up at a Tabacchi when we get to Rome?

Thanks in advance.
Steve

Rastaguytoday

Take your title and google it. There are tons of websites that provide the information.

Here's one: http://www.rometoolkit.com/transport/rome_bus.htm

hkto

All maps are in pdf on ATAC site http://www.atac.roma.it/page.asp?p=18 If you have smartphone or tablet download them there.

bocacpa

I appreciate your responses, but you may have misread my request. I am able to access the ATAC and other websites and can copy a pdf to my phone or ipad.

BUT - I am looking for a PRINTED map for Rome buses. Or a small booklet -- something similar to what you can buy in Paris at bookstands (Le Bus Parisien: Repetroire des 80 lignes, by L'Indespensible)for Paris buses.

Anyone?

BigRuss

Uh . . . print out the pdf?

hkto

if you insist on buying printed map see http://tinyurl.com/kmqwqhy

Alec

Folded map called 'Metro Roma Bus' is sold at kiosks and tabacchi for 6 euro.

Alec

Just to warn you that any commercial map becomes out of date quickly because routes change frequently, so always reconfirm with ATAC site.

kybourbon

>>>The guidebooks tell me not to waste my money on buying maps of the Rome bus system<<<<

That's because the historical center is quite walkable to most tourist sites if your hotel is in the historic center. Most people will just walk wherever they are going. Parts of the center are pedestrian only or the streets are too narrow for buses.

If you're just doing a tourist trek, the electric bus map (these are small and allowed in some pedestrian areas and other parts of the historic center where regular buses aren't) and tram maps might be all you need. One page each and easy to print from Atac.

http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9

http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=5

The centro map on Atac(covers most bus routes in central Rome) is not so easy to load/print or to read (unless you enlarge it). Otherwise, just buy a bus map at one of the tabacchi as mentioned above.

Rostra

I've always used the 'Roma Metro-Bus' map which has a laminated 2 page fold-out easy to follow map of the main 'tourist Rome' bus routes.
And outside of that there was a *Large* fold-out map of Rome with the bus routes and a booklet.

I bought it at a Tabacchi and it seems to be the same one Alex mentions.

Mine's a few years old and I couldn't find anything in google that was recent though?

But anyway this one *seems* to have the same type of easy to follow laminated map of the bus routes?
www.amazon.com/dp/889662052X

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1210_.jpg this matches the same section in my older map.

And actually after a few trips I'd just walk-up and look at the posted bus routes at the bus stops and take the bus I needed to get me to the area or the next multiple bus stop hub (Venezia, Argentina, Cavour, etc).

nvl325

we bought Roma Passes at Termini and also purchased there at the tourist info desk a bus map. Kind of large and unwieldy but it was helpful. Also check out the roninrome.com website for lots of good transport/bus info. Have fun!

nvl325

Forgot to say, the other thing that worked well- if you know in advance where you want to go- I went online the evening before (free wifi in the hotel!) and used googlemaps to plot next day's adventure. If you select the bus icon, you have a list of the different choices- various bus lines with the closest destinations. Very helpful, and easier than the printed map. Then I brought the map along to refer to if needed.

kybourbon

The Roma Pass comes with it's own map. All the attractions covered by the pass have transport bus/metro/tram #'s listed to reach that attraction.

bocacpa

Thank each and every one of you.

Laminated map looks like it will be easier to read sitting at a cafe sipping on a toddy than trying to squint into my iphone ;-)

Frankman

I think the easiest way will be to get a map when you are in Rome. It is very easy get it.

Alec

Also the ones on sale in Rome are bound to be the latest version, unlike old stocks in other countries.

sarge56

I used the Google Maps function and found it was pretty accurate on which bus options you had. Pretty cool. Just like you were asking for directions for driving, but click on the bus (public transport) icon, and it gives you all the options. (i.e take bus#3, comes every 10 minutes; or bus #59 which comes every 15 minutes and get off at xx) Found it to be pretty accurate in Rome.

I also recommend printing off the pdf maps you got from ATAC.

ssander

Just a point of information:

<<< But anyway this one *seems* to have the same type of easy to follow laminated map of the bus routes?
www.amazon.com/dp/889662052X >>>>

I the publication date on this is listed as Nov, 2010...probably not what you want.

...and I concur with those who say that the historic core of Rome is extremely compact and walkable...in fact, the last time we were there, we constantly walked PAST the streets we were looking for by accident, because they were so much closer than they seemed on the map.

SS

kybourbon

Routes have changed since 2010, not that a system map bought in Rome will be totally up to date either (hopefully won't be that old). Even some of the tram lines have been extended with new stops and the subway has added line B1 since 2010 (still digging C).

Rostra

<<<...and I concur with those who say that the historic core of Rome is extremely compact and walkable...>>>

And I once walked from Termini to St. Peter's and yes Rome is a walkable city.

Years later I spent 2 days in my hotel room with a knee twice the size of the other knee due to over-walking.

After that a OTC knee brace and a bus or sometimes tram every chance I got even for short hops.

Many have gotten 'Roman Foot' by over-walking and sometimes it's just easier to start your day transported to the farthest site and working your way back to your hotel visiting other sites along the way.

Many sites are a bit of a hike even from the Historic Center.

The Historic Center is disected by the Corso Vittorio Emanuale with a major bus/tram hub at Largo Argentina.

Using my old map just for some examples Bus 571;
St. Peter's, Corso VE, Argentina, Pizza Venezia, Roman Forum, Colosseum, San Clemente Church and San Giovanni in Laterano.

And Bus 87 basically the same except it's more accessable if you're staying in the Piazza Navona/Pantheon area.

Also multiple buses to the museums and churches around Termini and Piazza Repubblica.

And the the little 'Electic Buses' zipping to/from the sites.

For me this is a good option (knee-wise) and an easy to use laminated map makes it easier, as "the best laid plans.." often must be changed in Rome on the fly.
I once did an A to B only to find the museum was on strike and another time my walking tour was cancelled and no one told me in time.