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Getting Rome
Driving and parking in Rome can be quite difficult. When you're not walking a solution for getting around Rome, is to use public transportation. The bus lines comprehend the entire city and give you a chance to mingle, though at times a little too closely, with Romans and other tourists.
The metro can be useful if you're remaining near a station. The 2 lines don't cover much of the city but it can be a very fast way of getting around if you happen to be going near a station. The metro also connects with some of the train stations and the Cotral buses that go out of town.
By Bus
Bus is the most popular way of transport in Rome; the buses are managed by ATAC and Cotral, with ATAC buses generally serving the city centre and most of the suburbs while COTRAL buses service the outer suburbs and outlying regional areas. Buses and trams generally run between 6am and midnight every day, with popular routes served every 10 minutes and with night buses. You get on the bus by the front or back doors and you get off by the middle doors. You'll see many people breaking this rule. Sometimes the front or back are so crowded, the only choice is to try the middle. Unless you have a pass, you'll need to stamp your ticket immediately.
The bus lines connect the entire city. They can be crowded and can get stuck in traffic, but it still beats driving and searching for parking. The vast majority of buses don't run on a schedule, so you never really know when they are showing up. In the historic center, you don't usually have to wait too long, unless you're tired and it's raining. There are a few buses, called Linea Esatta that runs on a predetermined schedule. They generally only run during the week.
Press the buzzer to signal the driver to stop at the next bus stop for you to get off. And at times, while you stay at the bus stop, you will need to flag down a passing bus to get them to stop. Some stops are optional and they will only stop if you wave at them. This usually only applies to stops out of the center and when there aren't any other people at the bus stop.
By Metro
The metro is generally much faster than the bus system since there is no traffic, but it has some disadvantages too. In Rome there are only 2 lines and at times they run a bit parallel so they don't include a lot of destinations. Many of Rome's major sites are not that convenient to metro stations. The exceptions are the Spanish steps and the Colosseum. It's also a bit noisy and you don't get to see any sights as you travel.
The 2 lines are the Linea A, or red line and the Linea B, or blue line and you can change from one line to the other at the main train station, Termini. The red line runs from Battistini to Anagnina and includes stops near the Vatican Museums (Cipro), the Vatican (Ottaviano), the Cola di Rienzo shopping area (Lepanto), Piazza del Popolo (Flaminia), the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna), via Veneto (Barberini) and San Giovanni.
The blue lines runs from Rebibbia to Laurentina and includes stops near Eur, St. Pauls Outside the Walls (Basilica S. Paolo), Piramide (also the Ostiense train station), Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo), the Colosseum (Colosseo) and the Tiburtina train station. You must know the last stop of the direction you're going to get to the right platform. There will be signs in the station showing the stops along the way and also onboard the metro. On the blue line, you'll have to push a button to get the doors to open. On the red line, the doors open automatically.
By Taxi
When we only possess a few days to visit Rome, we do a combination of walking and taking taxis instead of using the buses. Taxis are not that expensive and are very convenient. Taxis in Rome are white, have a "Taxi" sign on the roof and have sign on the side of the car. Taxis have a meter. The meter starts at a preset amount which differs by time of day.
The easiest way to get a taxi is at a Taxi Stand. You will see them around the historic center. If there are taxis waiting, go to the taxi at the front of the line. If there are no taxis waiting, people make a line at the Taxi sign and cabs come by and pick people up.
You are not guaranteed to have an English speaking operator when you call for a taxi. If you do not speak Italian, and cannot find a Taxi Stand, go into a bar/café, order a drink, and have the bar person call a taxi for you.
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