Can we just use a credit card for a bus trip in Rome when we enter onto the bus? Or, do we have to purchase bus tickets beforehand somewhere else?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8779 posts
Rome has a tap system available for the bus, tram, and metro. It is tap once on entry, with the fare good for 100 minutes, but you must "tap" in with any change in transport, though you may not be charged if in the limit.
There have been some reported problems (meaning people fined). It is not perfectly clear what the problem is, but in many systems all you need is a unique payment type (credit card and device). Rome seems to demand a unique payment card for each person and the card needs to be capable of Offline Payments (OTA)
You can still get single paper tickets, as well as daily and weekly tickets. There are also a number of apps and e-tickets you could use.
More info here: https://www.atac.roma.it/en/tickets-and-passes
One caution, of all the systems I have been on, Rome exerts a lot of effort on enforcement. Nearly every trip (in a half dozen) I see tickets being checked by transit police, have had mine checked several times.
Posted by
OP
100 posts
Thanks. We will be there for a couple of weeks. The monthly pass is cheaper than buying a couple of weekly passes. Can tourists purchase the monthly pass? We will be staying near Termini train station, so I assume that we can purchase the passes there.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8779 posts
Can tourists purchase the monthly pass?
I am assuming so, but the process is a bit more involved, depending whether you do it electronically or want a physical card. Have not tried it myself.
Posted by
OP
100 posts
Thanks for all your help. We will be staying near Termini station, so we can go over there to the transport counter and inquire about this.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1710 posts
When we were in Rome opin November 2023 the tap system had been implemented on buses - we found the functionality to be erratic. On several occasions the terminal wouldn't complete the transaction - others said that it didn't work for them either - for a card that did work for other rides. At that time, the terminal was at the front for buses of one color and at the rear for the other color. If you got on a crowded bus, it might have not been possible to get to the other end where the terminal was.
Based on that experience, for an extended stay I would strongly suggest that you get at least weekly passes - preferably on your phone if they're available, so you know you're always covered.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23861 posts
In the past there has been a huge TI office in Termini but it has been about three years since we were there. That office was very helpful.