Rome train/bus tickets

I can't really answer your questions but I did find a cool app for the trains: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.paoloconte.treni_lite

The train ticket to Florence is a completely different animal from the tickets needed for Rome's intra-city buses, trams, and subway. You'll want to use one of the fast trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, etc.), and the prices of those tickets vary. Some bargain fares are available when tickets first go on sale, but you must be sure of your travel plans because the cheapest tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable. If you wait until shortly before your travel date, you may end up paying the base fare, which may be 94€ roundtrip.

Rome's trams are not the same as the subway (Metro). Trams run on rails above ground. I think they're pretty easy to use when you gave a suitcase, because they sit very close to the pavement, so you don't have to climb a bunch of steps. The Metro jas limited stations and isn't as useful as the subways in many other major citues. I'm not sure about the ticket situation for buses, trams and Metro. It should ge covered in your guidebook.

With a 1.5 € ticket by ATAC you can ride buses, trolleys and trams for 100 minutes in any direction, transfers included; but note that during those 100 minutes you can enter the underground metro system only once.

Forget about what a tram or a bus is, it's none of your business: all you need to know is that they are all run by ATAC and you can freely use them for 100 minutes. If it runs underground once you pass the turnstiles you can't re-enter on the same ticket.

The 100 minutes start either when you enter the metro or when you time-stamp your ticket on the first bus/tram you board.

You can get some 1.5 € ticket at the first tobacconist shop you pass by in Rome and use them in the following days when you are tired of walking. Otherwise you can purchase an ATAC multi-day pass that will be valid for X days on all means of transport.

I must correct the above message, trains between different cities are run by 2 competing railway companies: italotreno.it/en and trenitalia.com/tcom-en. Freccia-something high speed trains are run by trenitalia, but italotreno is a valid and reputable alternative whose discounted tickets are often cheaper than Trenitalia's.
Neither Italotreno nor Trenitalia have something to do with ATAC. Just like Amtrak has nothing to do with NYC subway and you can't get on an Amtrak train using a NYC subway swipe card.

Thanks everyone for the info.

Darioalb, what do you mean knowing a tram or bus is none of my business?

I think what darioalb meant about buses and trams is they for nation similarly: you board at a marked stop on the street versus going to a Mtero station with turnstiles. Sometimes if the trams or tracks are being repaired ATAC even substitutes buses on the lines.

Okay, thanks.

Thanks Laurel.

I mean that the same (and only) company, ATAC, runs both trams and buses and that the same ticket can be used on both.
If it runs overground you can travel on it for 100 minutes, it doesn't matter if it's a tram or a bus.

You shouldn't worry if it's a tram or a bus, as you wouldn't worry if the plane that takes you from NYC to LA is a 747 or a 737.
Line XYZ goes where you are headed to? Get on the first means of transport called XYZ. That's all you need to know.

ATAC also sells 24 hour (€7), 48 hour (€12.50), 72 hour (€18) and 1 week (€24) transit passes. They're good for unlimited travel on buses, trams and metro within the validity period, and they would cover a trip to Ostia Antica but not to Florence. I tend to use public transit a lot while in Rome and personally find them a good value. I also like being able to hop on and off without having to worry about direction or time limit. If you buy a pass, be sure to write your name on it and validate it the first time you use it. It's then good for the designated number of hours from time of validation. Passes can be purchased at kiosks in the stations and at ticket windows, sometimes from tabacchi shops. If you get the Roma Pass, I believe it includes a 72 hour transit ticket.

Besides single-ride tickets, you are able to purchase a multi-day CIS transit pass for Rome that works for the metro, trams, buses and urban trains. You cannot use it to get to Florence. The ATAC website is your best resource for transit around Rome.

http://www.atac.roma.it/?lingua=ENG

A weekly pass costs € 24,00, must be validated the first time you use it, and is only good for 7 consecutive days. No need to buy in advance.

http://www.atac.roma.it/page.asp?p=229

But here's the deal? We've spent as long as a week in Rome and barely used public transit at all. It's a great walking city, and the best way to experience it - if at all possible - is on your own two feet. I buy a few BIT (individual ride) tickets and just put them in my pocket for the few times we might want to hop the metro or other form of transit. So far, we haven't needed the buses at all but its possible we'll use a couple on a future trip. Unless one of you really can't or don't wish to do much walking, I'd see what you can manage before committing to a weekly pass.

But here's the deal? We've spent as long as a week in Rome and barely
used public transit at all. It's a great walking city, and the best
way to experience it - if at all possible - is on your own two feet. I
buy a few BIT (individual ride) tickets and just put them in my pocket
for the few times we might want to hop the metro or other form of
transit. So far, we haven't needed the buses at all but its possible
we'll use a couple on a future trip. Unless one of you really can't or
don't wish to do much walking, I'd see what you can manage before
committing to a weekly pass.

Kathy, I respectfully disagree. To truly, truly see the nooks and crannies of Rome, the OP needs to use public transit. Yes, Rome is a 'walkable' city, but not to everywhere! Try walking from the Vatican to Porta Pia, or from St. Peter-in-Chains to Borghese. You'll be hoofing forever. And if it's hot...marrone!

We spent just about a week in Rome in late February. Decided right off the bat we were going to buy those weekly passes at 24 Euro per. Bought 'em, saved the receipt, validated the ticket first trip on the bus, and from then on it totally freed me up to traverse from one end of the Eternal City to the other, using buses and either Metro A or B lines. Get on at the front of the bus, get on at the rear, didn't matter, no validation needed. Probably took about 12-15 trips apiece over that time, so it just about paid for itself.

Thank you everyone for your responses. This has been most helpful. I can't wait to see Rome.

If you want the 7-day pass, you should buy it at the newsstand inside Termini station. Sometimes other shops don't carry it, or run out.

I bought one 7-day pass and may buy a 3-day pass (I am here for 12 days). I like just hopping on any bus or tram if I get tired of walking (easy to do in the heat).

We were just in Rome for a week and used the buses and trams quite a bit. They're very useful for getting across town, and it was so hot, we were happy to have a little air conditioning and a chance to sit. The trams are less crowded than the buses.

D