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Guide illustré pour voyager à Rome en avion, incluant une image de carte d'embarquement

How to Get to Rome?

Planning your trip to Rome starts with choosing the best way to get to the Eternal City. Whether you prefer flying, train, car, bus, or even carpooling, this page guides you through all the options available to get to Rome with peace of mind. Discover practical tips, tricks to find the best rates, and essential information about airports, train stations, and parking.

With our recommendations, you'll be ready to have an unforgettable Roman experience upon arrival.

Arriving in Rome by Plane

What is the best airport to arrive in Rome?

Rome has two main airports: Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) and Ciampino. Fiumicino is the largest and most modern, serving the majority of international and long-haul flights. It is well connected to the city center by the Leonardo Express train and bus services. Ciampino, smaller, mainly welcomes low-cost European flights. It is located closer to the city center, but transport options are slightly more limited. For comfort and optimal transport options, Fiumicino is generally considered the best choice.

Rome Airports Fiumicino and Ciampino for flights to the Eternal City
Arrival in Rome via Fiumicino and Ciampino airports (Credit: ambrozinio – stock.adobe.com).

How to find the best flights?

To find the best flights to Rome, it is advisable to use online price comparison websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, Expedia or Kayak. These platforms allow you to compare prices between different airlines and travel agencies. To get the best deals, book your tickets several months in advance and be flexible on your travel dates. Midweek and off-season flights are often cheaper. Also consider activating price alerts to be informed of price drops.

What documents are needed to travel by plane to Rome?

Of course, don't forget your passport and, if necessary, a visa for Rome. Solid organization is the key to a successful trip. Check out our dedicated article: Visas and Passports for Rome: Essential Documents.

How to get from Rome city center to the airport?

There are several options available to get to the city center from Rome. It will all depend on which airport you arrive at and the location of your accommodation. Check out our dedicated article on this subject to find the best option to get to the city center from the airport.

Arriving in Rome by train

What are the main arrival stations by train in Rome?

Rome has several important stations, but Termini is the main and most central. It is the largest station in Italy, serving national and international trains, including the high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains. Tiburtina is another major station, often used by high-speed trains and long-distance bus services. Finally, the Trastevere station is smaller but well located to access the western neighborhoods of the city. These stations are well connected to public transport to reach different parts of Rome.

Train arriving at Roma Termini, Rome's central station, booking via Trainline
Discover the ease of traveling to Rome by train with Trainline (Credit: Zerophoto – stock.adobe.com).

Is it easy to get to Rome by train from other cities in Italy or Europe?

Yes, getting to Rome by train from other cities in Italy or Europe is easy. From major Italian cities such as Florence, Milan, Naples, and Venice, high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains offer fast and frequent journeys, often in less than 3 hours. From many European cities, such as Paris, Munich, and Vienna, direct or single-change rail links are available. International trains generally arrive at Termini station, the main one in Rome, offering easy access to the rest of the city.

How to find the best fares to travel to Rome by train?

To find the best fares for traveling to Rome by train, book your tickets in advance on the official websites of the railway companies such as Trenitalia or Italo. These sites often offer special deals, especially for off-peak journeys. Using comparators like Trainline can also help to find the best deals. Be flexible on your times and travel dates, and consider traveling midweek for lower fares. Loyalty cards or subscriptions can also offer interesting discounts.

Arriving in Rome by bus

There are several long-distance bus services that serve Rome from other European cities. Companies like FlixBus, Eurolines, and Megabus offer journeys at competitive prices from cities like Paris, Barcelona, Munich, and Vienna. These buses generally arrive at Tiburtina station or the Rome Anagnina bus station, from where you can easily reach the city center by metro or bus. Bus journeys are often longer than train or plane trips, but they can be a budget-friendly option.

Looking for the best deal for your bus trip to the Eternal City? Kombo and Comparabus are your must-have platforms to efficiently compare and book.

Bus traveling to Rome, budget-friendly options with Kombo and Comparabus for optimized journeys
Discover the best bus options for Rome with Kombo and Comparabus (Credit: izzetugutmen – stock.adobe.com).

Arriving in Rome by car

Arriving in Rome by car is possible, but there are several aspects to consider. The city is known for its heavy traffic and traffic restrictions, including Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL), where access is restricted to residents and authorized vehicles. These areas are strictly monitored by cameras, and fines for violations can be high.

ZTL sign in Rome indicating camera surveillance for license plates
Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) sign in Rome, equipped with a camera to record license plates of vehicles entering illegally (Credit: WH_Pics – stock.adobe.com).

Be careful of Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL) in Rome

Visualization of ZTL on the interactive map of Rome Tripwizy
Visualization of ZTL on the interactive map of Rome Tripwizy

If you are coming by car, Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL) are crucial to know. Established to reduce congestion and protect the historical heritage of Rome, driving without authorization in a ZTL can result in heavy fines. Be well informed and choose accommodation outside these areas to avoid penalties. You can use our interactive map of Rome to visualize day and night ZTLs.

Also familiarize yourself with Italian traffic regulations.

Where to park your vehicle in Rome?

Parking your vehicle in Rome can be a challenge, especially in the historic center due to Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL), where access is restricted at certain times for non-residents. It is therefore recommended to park outside the ZTLs.

Several parking lots are recommended for safe parking:

  1. Villa Borghese Parking: Located near the center, this underground parking lot is ideal for exploring the main attractions on foot.
  2. Parking Gianicolo : Close to the Vatican, this parking offers easy access to the Trastevere district.
  3. Parking Ludovisi : Close to Via Veneto and Piazza di Spagna, it is central and practical for visiting tourist sites.
  4. Parking Parcheggio Saba Villa Borghese : Practical for those who want to avoid driving in the city centre.

To avoid complications, it is often easier to leave your car in one of these car parks and use public transport or walk to explore Rome.

Is it possible to carpool to Rome?

Yes, it is perfectly possible to carpool to Rome. Several carpooling platforms such as BlaBlaCar are popular in Italy and Europe. They allow you to find drivers who offer rides to Rome from various Italian or European cities.

Carpooling can be an economical and friendly option to travel while sharing fuel and toll costs.

Two men participating in a carpool, smiling on their way to Rome.
Carpooling to Rome: a shared travel experience in good spirits (Credit: Robert Kneschke – stock.adobe.com)

In conclusion, if you plan to visit surrounding areas or other Italian cities, a car can be convenient, but for exploring Rome itself, other means of transport are often more suitable.

What is the best way to get to Rome from other Italian cities like Florence or Milan?

The best way to get to Rome from Italian cities like Florence or Milan is by high-speed train, especially Frecciarossa or Italo. These trains offer fast and comfortable journeys, with travel times of 1h30 from Florence and about 3 hours from Milan. They are frequent, with multiple departures per hour, and arrive at Termini central station, making it easy to access the centre of Rome. For a more economical journey, regional trains or buses are alternatives, although they are slower.

Rome, the Eternal City, is a must-see destination for travellers. Whether you choose to fly, take the train, bus, car or carpool, proper preparation will make your stay memorable. Soak up the historical richness of Rome and let every discovery enrich your experience!

Now you know how to get to Rome? Discover now when is the best time to visit Rome. Also prepare your travel itinerary by drawing inspiration from all our recommended itineraries.

Share your experience! How did you get to Rome? Whether you flew, took the train, drove or carpooled, your advice is valuable. Leave a comment to help other travellers plan their trip and discover new ways to reach the Eternal City.

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