Hello all,
I know this is going to probably sound like a dumb question, but the cashier/ticket offices at Metro stops do speak enough English to help me get where I want to go, correct? (Col. and close to the Vactican)
Also, I think I was reading that the Rome Metro tickets, a day ticket, can be used on all the trams and subways, is this correct?
Thanks in advance!
Yes, a day ticket can be used multiple times on all forms of transport -- bus, metro, tram. You validate it once for the bus or tram, and each time you go thru a Metro turnstile. The Metro is easy to figure out even without English speaking helpers. Just ask Vaticano? with an eyebrow raised in question and someone will point you to the right train if you haven't figured it out.
The easiest method for buying tickets at Metro stations in Rome is to use the automated Kiosks. They have an English language option, and are very easy to use. Especially at Roma Termini, buying tickets from an agent is not usually the best idea as there's usually a LONG queue. As Laurel mentioned, the Metro in Rome is very easy to use, especially as there are only two lines. One important point to mention - if a "helpful individual" tries to assist you in buying tickets at a Kiosk, I'd suggest telling him to "take a hike".
I normally buy a B.I.G. ticket (Biglietto giornaliero. €4) first thing in the morning and then use it all day. It's good for Metro, Buses, etc. within the city centre, and only has to be validated prior to the first use. It expires at midnight on the day of validation. There's also a three-day version called a B.T.I. (€11).
To figure out where you're going, there are charts on the walls of the Metro stations, or you can research your stops online. You may find it helpful to pack along a copy of one of the Guidebooks (perhaps the Pocket Rome) as that will be a good reference to use during your trip).
I can get lost in the bed of a pickup truck, but as Quirite says, the Roma metro is foolproof. Even if you do get lost, just go back and try again. It's nothing like the Paris Metro with dozens of intersecting lines - the Roma Metro lines A and B only intersect at Termini. as I recall.
I'd agree - use the kiosks as they have an English option. This article was written a couple of years ago, but still gives relevant info on how to use the kiosks. Good Luck!
The reason I'm not a big fan of using the Metro is that you don't get to see anything in between your start and your destination. If you're on a bus, you can enjoy the sights of the city.
And I'm a big advocate of the single-use transit tickets that I think are 1.10 euro each. We've found over our four trips to Rome that we end up doing much more walking and much less transit use. It just doesn't make the multi-day passes worthwhile. Instead, we buy six or eight single-use tickets and only use them when actually needed.
Thanks, Ron, for posting the video so we can save time figuring out the machine if there's a line behind us!
