Coming from a small town, don't normally use a transportation app, other than Uber, when travelling in cities. However, I received a recommendation to use a public transportation app in Rome. Any thoughts or recommendations on these such as Citymapper, Transit, Moovit, or even the local Rome ATAC app?
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
2215 posts
Citymapper is really good. Google maps is "okay" for something you probably already have or can use from the web.
Trenitalia app for trains from city to city.
There are many taxi apps in Italy and use varies from city to city. I believe itTaxi was one of the popular ones in Rome.
You can simply tap a credit card for buses in Rome - and really for most places in northern Italy. Each person needs their own card for this.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
Milan Italy
108 posts
Hi, Giangilberto from Milan, as Tod correctly said, to use Atac's TAP&GO system, each passenger needs their own credit card. If you're a family, you can't use one card for everyone. Here are some rules taken from the official Atac website:
https://www.atac.roma.it/en/tickets-and-passes/tap-go
Re-tap every time you change vehicles, even within 100 minutes. It's not a second charge, but without a TAP, you're without a ticket, and you have to use the same device all day. If you start with your card, you can't switch to your phone, even if the same card is loaded on the phone.
Then there's the 'best fare', the system counts 100-minute tickets, not individual vehicles one ticket can cover three buses if you change within the window. If you buy more than five of those in 24 hours, the sixth is charged as an €8.50 day ticket instead, so tapping can never cost you more than a daily pass.
TAP works on everything, buses, trams, trolleybuses, metro A/B/C, Rome-Lido and Rome-Viterbo.
As reported on the website, be careful because a fake SMS has been circulating lately that says "TAP&GO validation incomplete. Risk of fine" with a link, ATAC never sends SMS.
Absolutely do not click and do not enter your bank details.
I absolutely agree with the taxi app (itTaxi), or the official Rome City Council number to call or book a taxi in Rome: 060609.
In conclusion, I'd say the only one that really helps you is taxis. Google Maps covers everything else, while for public transportation, you can use the TAP&GO system.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10625 posts
Citymapper worked great for me.
Posted by
Paris 🇫🇷
11600 posts
And CityMapper worked great for me the past few days in Rome. They take the official info and somehow package it in a way that makes it SO easy to follow.
Posted by
Chicago
2374 posts
I will add the CityMapper app for my week in Rome next March. Probably will add the ATAC app as well.
But in April 2025, we used the FreeNow Uber-like service and it was very reasonable. I'm sure they are subject to 'surge pricing' just like Uber, but I think for 4 of us from Campo de' Fiori to The Vatican, it was 39 Euro. Yes, more than the bus, but a lot more efficient.
From what I understand, I can now use my debit card on the Metro and ATAC bus via their 'tap and go' function, and that doesn't require signing up or buying a week's pass. So...depending on where we're going, I'll see what mode makes sense and call an audible if need be. I have a feeling when we're not walking, we're going to be FreeNow'ing.