Metro/subway in Rome

Jim Please read this excellent guide to using the Roma Pass by Ron in Rome. It is at http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportation/should-i-buy-a-roma-pass. I note that Ron still has the €30 price shown, note that it is about to go up over 10 percent. No, is the answer to your question. In the current format the 3 day clock runs together for the transportation portion and the entry portion of the Roma Pass. The clock starts as soon as you either use it for transportation or your first entry, whichever is first, and the whole lot turn to dust at midnight of the third evening, no matter what time you activated the pass on the first day. If you got in late in the evening (not saying that's what you are doing but other readers of the Helpline might) and you start the pass by taking a bus from Termini to the Hotel Smereldo near Largo Argentina at 9 o'clock at night on Friday the pass would still only be valid till midnight day 1 (Fri), midnight day 2 (Sat) and expire at midnight day 3 (Sunday). You really have to be careful to get your money out of it.

First off, I never worry about timetables for the subways since they run at 5 to 15 min intervals most of the time. With only two lines, the subway in Rome in extremely limit and rarely goes anywhere convenient. I would concentrate on the bus. When you arrive in Rome, hit a TI (large one in the train station) and get a bus route schedule there. The buses are cheap and easy to use as are the trams in some areas. In a total of three weeks in Rome over the past years, have only use the metro once. The run you asked about is about 20 minutes.

Frank, Thx very much.. The 5 - 15 min. intervals and the 20 trip for the run really answers the questions I had. Other than this one time the only other time I imagine will be taking a train is to Ostica Antica.. We plan on doing a lot of walking but will take a bus? to the Appian Way and Aqueduct Park. This will be my first time in Rome.. very excited. I've already Rick Steves' latest Rome guidebook twice through! Thx again, Jim

The frequency of runs in May for Linea A during the day Monday to Friday is one train every 3 minutes and 30 seconds (every4 min on Saturdays, and every 5 to 7 min. on Sundays) From S. Giovanni to Ottaviano is probably a little less than 20 min. From one station to the next in the city center is about 2 min. So 9 stops will be less than 20 min. Sorry couldn't find the timetable off hand, but I found the frequencies. http://host.uniroma3.it/dipartimenti/filosofia/Iaph/immagini/orari_linea_a.pdf

The subway is not that useless. It goes close to the Vatican museums, it goes to Termini and Tiburtina train stations, it goes to the Colosseum, to the Circus Massimum...

We've been to Rome three times for a total of maybe 18 days. I think we used the subway twice. We use the buses a lot. Do consider getting a transit pass or a Roma Pass to make your life simpler. Do NOT consider riding the buses without either a pass or a ticket. Whopping fine can result. Zero tolerance.

We plan on getting the Roma pass and using it the first day for free entry into the Colosseum and Forum... And will use the transit pass for the subway to the Vatican the next day.. If I'm figuring correctly, we have maybe a 10 - 15 minute walk to S. Giovanni station.. Then we validate the transit pass before we get on the subway? Thx so much everyone. Jim

Jim, As the others have mentioned, the Metro runs frequently so it will be very easy to get from S. Giovanni to Ottaviano. As I recall, it's about a 5-10 minute walk from the station to the Vatican. Depending on where you're starting from, you could also travel to the Vatican on the infamous #64 Bus or the #40 (both travel from Termini to the Vatican). As mentioned above, be sure your tickets or Pass are valid or hefty fines will result, which will be collected on the spot! When using any public transit in Rome, you'll need to be vigilant for pickpockets and scammers! Buon Viaggio!

Thx everyone.. this is all very good information. We're staying fairly near S. Giovanni Station - maybe a 10 min. walk, so this seems like a good option. I believe we would start day 1 walking to the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine Hill and using the Roma Pass for our first free attraction (where the passes will be validated?) and then more sightseeing on that day.. The first time I anticipate using the metro would be the following morning for the ride to Ottaviano station... Since our Roma Passes will be validated at the Colosseum I assume we just have to have them with us when boarding the Metro, but will need them to get through the turnstiles? If we use them for a bus - we just need to have them, but nothing else? Thx again! Jim

You used to have to feed the Roma pass into the turnstile to get through to the trains. But apparently the newer passes are hard plastic and you hold them over a sensor. (Thanks, Ron!)

This has been a very helpful conversation. I will to pick up my Roma pass late Saturday night and will endeavor to do it Sunday am this next week. We have been using the TI's to get train passes and they have been very helpful. (like a two for one pass today Saturday.) Saved some shekels there. We did get tickets at the train station from Venice to Florence and almost didn't get on as it was a holiday and the Train was practically full.
we are in Rome a bit more than the three days so I am assuming that we can get another two or three day transit pass? Thanks for this blog. Ron

Hi - brand new here. Wanted to say thanks for all the info as we're looking at getting the Roma pass when we're there in July

Ron, you can get a one-day transit pass which expires at midnight (it's not a 24-hour pass).

You've received very good information from very experienced travelers. Let me just say that Rome is a city that you can walk your legs off in. My best suggestion is to quickly figure out how to use the city buses, and be quick to use them. There are just so many miles in anyones' legs in any given day.
Buses are the most convenient way to get around. And cabs are expensive everywhere.

Ron, please note that if you pick up your Roma Pass to use starting Sunday morning that on Mondays in Rome pretty much most museums are closed. If you use your Roma Pass for the transportation on Saturday evening the first of the three days of the pass will be gone in a flash. Days are to midnight, not 24 hours, no matter what time you start the pass.

but on the bus you just need to show the alteady-validated pass. In Rome I never show my validated transit pass - the driver doesn't need to see it - unless asked by an inspector.

Your Romapass will be validated at the first site you visit. The metro might require a scan, but on the bus you just need to show the alteady-validated pass.

@Nigel, We have separate arrangements for transportation from the airport on Sat. nite. Monday (even though it will most likely be very crowded) we're going to the Vatican & St. Peter's. Based on what we want to do and the time we'll be in Rome, I think we've got about as good a plan as I can get it..... I hope... Thx, Jim