Authored by FlightHub
Blending in while travelling is one of the best ways to see the city you’re visiting all the while not attracting unwanted attention.
At FlightHub, we know that our travelers are looking for the best travel experience they can get, so FlightHub Review has gathered everything you need to know about traveling your favorite cities like a local!
Using Public Transit in Rome
Rome has an extensive public transit system that allows its citizens to move freely around the city without a problem. FlightHub would like to remind travelers that the Italian Metro system (named Metropolitana), brings commuters around the city rather than through it.
Though the metro lines are accessible to famous sites throughout Rome, you may still need to walk. But you can also easily organize a Rome taxi.
For the Metropolitana, there are three lines that operate daily from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM every day and on Saturdays until 12:30 AM. Of the three lines, there’s one express line that brings you directly to and from Fiumicino Airport, while the other lines (MA and MB) bring commuters through Rome.
For €1, 50, users can purchase a time integrated pass (or Biglietto Semplice B.I.T). This means the ticket is valid for 75 minutes and can take any means of transportation, but with a maximum of only 1 metro trip.
Priced at €6, 00, one-day tickets are also available for travelers (or Biglietto giornaliero B.I.G). This ticket is valid for 1 day of travel on any means of transportation. Tickets must be stamped and presented to metro controllers prior to your entry into the metro. Additionally, FlightHub would like to remind travelers that a day-pass does not mean it’s valid for a 24 hour period, rather, valid until during operating hours only.
Much like the Metropolitana, the local trams and bus systems are an integral part of commuter and traveler life in Rome. Ticket prices remain the same, and these means of transportation are safe, efficient and will get you to your destination, wherever that may be! Cost for the tickets are the same as those purchased for the metro.
FlightHub Review recommends purchasing public transit tickets in advance at newsstands, bars, tabacchis, vending machines, or at the stations themselves.
Get Your Coffee, and Get it Right!
While in Rome, it’s important to recognize how seriously Italians take their coffee. If you’re craving your caffeine fix and want to blend into the crowd, only order long coffees (or Americano’s) in the morning.
Lattes or latte macchiato, and other diluted coffees are meant to be consumed only in the morning. After 11:00 am, stick to espresso. In addition, FlightHub urges our travelers not to sit down while you’re in the bar (or café), since the moment you do prices of what you order can easily be doubled.
Any Italian will tell you to drink your coffee and eat your cornetti while standing. But fair warning – drinking Italian Espresso may leave you wanting to buy one of the best Espresso machines when you get home!
Remember That You’re Charged for Everything
Much like all touristic areas, eating, drinking or playing in busy cities can cost you. FlightHub doesn’t want you to be taken off guard when you get your bill after partying all night, so remember these tricks:
Water will cost you approximately €2, and to ask for tap water is typically considered rude. FlightHub suggests bringing your own water and filling it up at one of the many public fountains Rome has if you want to avoid these charges.
Pane e Coperto charge is a charge assumed by the number of people sitting at the table. Though itemized as bread, the restaurant is actually charging you for the pleasure of sitting down. This charge can range from €2 per person and upwards.
Always, always, always ask for an itemized bill. There’s no real way to know what you’re paying for unless you see it clearly written in front of you.
Remember these FlightHub tricks the next time you visit Rome, and roam like a local!
INSPIRED? PIN THIS TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS ↓
8 Comments
Great info and funny title.
We got a tour guide with a pass to many of the famous sites, so we did not need to wait in the lines. Tour guide came with a van, so no need to get public transport either.
Thanks Rhonda – definitely agree with the value of having a tour guide with a pass – we did manage to skip huge queues at both the Vatican and Colosseum with that approach.
Great idea to seek out a tour guide with transport to and from your accommodation too :)
Hey, Megan and Mike Jerrard
i am a traveler. I travel a lot.You said beautifully about Rome’s public transit and Rome culture. This is very helpful for me. Hope you write more articles in the future.
Thanks again
David
So glad you enjoyed the article William, I hope you have the chance to visit Rome soon too :)
Hi Megan and Mike Jerrard.
I Am also a travel lover like you.
If you are an espresso admirer and tired of paying for each cup in the coffee shop, then you may purchase an espresso machine of your own. If you also think so, then you definitely need something that assures an awesome experience with your espresso without robbing your personal savings.
Absolutely, a great idea for bringing a little bit of Rome home with you :) Great tips Stephanie!
I have some confusion, if I go with a tourist guide then should I use public transport?
As I am an espresso lover, where is the best place to take best espresso?
Hi Moon, if you go with a tourist guide it will be up to them how you travel. Usually when you pay for a tour with a guide your transport is included, so ask them how you’re getting around before you book.
Re finding the best Espresso in Rome, there are coffee bars all over the place, and if you’re going with a tourist guide as you have mentioned, they may have the best local recommendations.
That said you can’t go wrong with one of Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè or Caffè Canova-Tadolini.
Have a wonderful time in Rome :)