How to Plan a Trip to Rome (Complete Travel Guide)

Planning a trip to Rome? Whether it’s your first time or you’re returning for another espresso under the Italian sun, this Article will show you exactly how to plan your dream visit to Rome. We’ll cover everything from how to get to Rome, where to stay, the best time to visit, how to get around, and even how to save money while you’re there.

Stick around till the end because we’ll share some insider travel hacks that will save you a ton of money and a few mistakes that could ruin your trip.

Let’s begin our Article with our first topic: HOW TO GET TO ROME!

How to Get to Rome

Let’s start with the basics: how do you actually get to Rome? Most international travellers land at Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Rome’s main airport, about 28 kilometers (17 miles) away from the city center. Once you land in Fiumicino, you will have to make your way to the city center. To do so, you have a few options:

The first one is the Leonardo Express Train. The train is the fastest and easiest option. It is also quite comfortable. It only takes  32 minutes non-stop from the airport to Rome’s central train station: Roma Termini. The price for a one-way ticket at the time of recording is €14 per person; there is also a special mini-group rate of €40 for four people. Tickets can be bought at the station, at the self-serve machines, or by tapping your phone at the Dedicated machines. The trains run very frequently, every 15 minutes.

The second option from Fiumicino to the city center is a  Taxi. From and to Fiumicino, taxis have a fixed rate of €55 at the time of recording. A taxi ride to the city center takes 40–50 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxis will take you directly to your hotel, making it very convenient.

The third option to get from Fiumicino to the city center of Rome is the shuttle buses. The cheapest one costs €7 one way. Usually, they have a few stops, including the Vatican area and Termini Station. The Shuttle bus can take 45 to 90 minutes, and, like the taxi, it depends on the number of stops and traffic.

Rome also has a smaller airport, Ciampino, used mainly by low-cost European airlines. You will land at this Airport only if you are coming from another European city using a low-cost airline. From Ciampino to the city center, you can take:

The Airlink (bus + train combo), this is super cheap at €2.70 (at the time of recording) but takes about an hour. A direct shuttle bus to Termini Station for around €6 (35 minutes).
Or a taxi to downtown Rome for €40.

Now, if you’re coming to Rome via another Italian city, you’ll probably arrive at Roma Termini, the central train station, right in the heart of the town. From there, you can hop on the metro or grab a short taxi to your hotel.

And if you’re visiting Rome from a cruise ship, you will be docking at Civitavecchia port, which is about 90 km (56 miles) northwest of the city. From the port to the city center, you can take a local train for about €10.60 one way (by the way, we have an entire video about how to get from Civitavecchia to Rome city center and you can watch it here), or take a private transfer that costs around €180 (at the time of recording)

Lastly, if you are doing a road trip in Italy, you will be driving to Rome. Well, we strongly suggest you not drive in Rome if you can. Seriously. Rome’s traffic is insane, there’s hardly any parking, and the historic center has practically an entire restricted driving zone- in other words, driving in Rome will probably get you a ticket. If you have to, Drive to your hotel, park the car in a secure garage, and forget about the car until you drive to the next city..

Moving on to our following planning tips about Rome, we will talk about how many days you should plan in the city.

How Many Days Do You Need in Rome

Many viewers on this channel ask us:  “How many days do I need in Rome?” Well, Rome is a big city. The short answer: at least three full days. That’s enough to see the highlights – and even then, you’ll likely feel a bit rushed. We live in Italy and haven’t seen it all. If you can afford 4 or 5 days, that would be better, especially if this is your first time in the city.  

Either way, if you have 3 days in the city, this is an example of an itinerary that covers the most iconic spots in the city. If you have more, just split up the first or third day… 

Ok, so Day 1: you can spend it in Vatican City, visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Castel Sant’Angelo. Now, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are among the busiest sites in Rome, and maybe in Italy. For this reason, you must buy your skip-the-line tickets for these sites way in advance. Also, here is a pro tip: you can buy the skip-the-line guided tour of the Vatican Museums that includes a visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica. If you get this tour, you’ll get access to the Basilica from the back door without having to go back outside and wait in line. To learn more about these tickets, visit this link.

On Day 2: You can visit the historic city center, including Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, and the Pincio Terrace at sunset. All these sites are within walking distance of each other. Now I know not everyone will like this idea, especially (Rick), but honestly, we’ve done this several times and found it’s best to start nice and early at the Trevi Fountain, ideally get there around 8 am. That way, the number of tourists isn’t too crazy. And if it’s summer, it won’t be too hot.

Then on Day 3, it is time to focus on the big Ancient Roman Ruins by starting at The Colosseum, then moving to the Roman Forum and the  Palatine Hill. From there, you can walk to the Capitoline Hill, where you’ll find the Piazza del Campidoglio, which was designed by Michelangelo himself, and finish your tour with the Marcello Theater and the Jewish Ghetto. Now, on day one, you’ll have already realized the Vatican Museums are probably the busiest site in Rome… want to guess the second busiest site? it’s the Colosseum. If you want to see it inside, which I think everyone should at least once, you’ll also need to get your tickets in advance- because, like the Vatican, it’s probably going to be impossible to see it unless you bought them before your trip.

And a little pro tip- you can get a 2-for-1 with the Colosseum that includes the Forum entrance!

Lastly, if you’ve only got one day in Rome, maybe it’s a stop on a cruise, we’ve got a way to see a lot of the city in just a few hours. You won’t be going inside anything, but consider it a one-day taste-of-Rome itinerary video you can watch right here.

Let’s move on to another very important aspect of planning a trip to Rome: Choosing the Best Time to Visit

Choosing the Best Time to Visit

Picking the right month to visit Rome is a big deal. I remember my first time in Rome, and honestly, I didn’t want to go back. Turns out, I went in the wrong month. Now I love going to Rome at the right time of the year.

So when’s the best time? In our opinion, the best times to visit Rome are April to the end of May and mid-September to late October.

During these months, you’ll find: Comfortable temperatures, Smaller crowds, and better prices on hotels and flights. Don’t get us wrong, Rome will be busy anytime of the year, but during those months will be a little less busy.

Summer in Rome, June, July, and August can be brutal. It’s hot, humid, and packed with tourists and expensive. So it is better to avoid visiting during those months. But if you can only see in the summer, here are a few tips to make the best of your trip. 

First, try to get out and explore early in the morning, the earlier the better, to avoid the intense heat and huge crowds. Keep the middle of the day for museums and indoor activities so you’ll at least have some air conditioning. Last, stay hydrated, wear a hat, and apply plenty of sunscreen.

Also, the winter can be chilly and rainy, but if you don’t mind cooler weather, it’s a great time to see Rome with fewer crowds. Also, around Christmas, the city is decorated with trees and Christmas lights, and the markets are really fun to visit!

Now let’s check another very important aspect about planning a trip to Rome, where to stay.

Where to Stay in Rome

Picking the right neighborhood is also super important. So, instead of searching for a hotel by the star rating or price, think of the areas first. Here’s a breakdown of the main areas to consider:

Termini Station Area: this area is Budget-friendly and super convenient, especially for trains and metros, but it’s not the prettiest, quietest, or most central. Actually, the area around the termini station can be a little rough, especially at night. But, if you don’t mind walking 10, 15 thousand steps a day, you can get to pretty much everywhere in the city from here on foot.

Monti & Colosseum Area: this area is Trendy, walkable, and close to ancient Rome. A great mid-range option. Perfect to explore the Colosseum and the Forum, here you will find a wide range of hotels and B&Bs. That said, you’ll probably be taking taxis or public transit a lot if you’re going to be visiting other places like the Vatican or the trevi fountain.

Historic Center (Pantheon, Navona, Trevi): This is the perfect spot if you want to walk everywhere, but of course, it’s more expensive. If you stay in this area, you will have plenty of options for restaurants, cafes, and bars just a few steps away. Hotels are often in charming old buildings, usually 2-300 years old, but because of that, they might have small rooms and quirky layouts. 

Borgo & Prati (near Vatican): This area is elegant and calm, with a mix of modern and traditional hotels. It is perfect if you want to stay near the Vatican but still close to the center. 

Spanish Steps & Via Veneto: This is home to Rome’s most luxurious hotels, marble lobbies, rooftop terraces, and five-star views. The perfect place to stay if you want to treat yourself. 

Trastevere: This area is on the right bank of the Tiber River and, back in the day, was an inferior, dangerous part of Rome. Nowadays, it is very up-and-coming, with a fantastic nightlife. It’s also the perfect place to grab the most authentic Roman food. However, it can be hectic and a little noisy at night.

Wherever you stay, book early, especially during peak season. We suggest picking the refundable rates, just in case something changes or you find a better option. Regardless, remember that hotels in good areas fill up fast!

Let’s move on to another aspect of planning a trip to Rome, and we will talk about how to get around Rome

How to Get Around Rome

Rome is a city made for walking. You’ll probably walk a lot, actually. Most attractions are just minutes apart, and walking is the best way to see everything.  Of course, there are also some good options to get around when you don’t want to walk:

• Official taxis are white, have a meter, and display a “TAXI” sign. Avoid unlicensed drivers, especially around Termini Station. Taxis are everywhere in Rome, and finding a taxi stand is very easy.
  
• The Metro is cheap and reliable for longer trips. However, there are only two lines, and they do not reach every area of the city.
  
• Hop-on hop-off buses sound great, but in Rome, they’re not ideal. Many streets are very narrow or pedestrian-only, so the stops are often far from the attractions, which means you’ll still end up walking a lot.
• Golf Cart: These are my favorite ways to visit Rome- especially if you want to see the city in a short amount of time or if you can’t walk a lot. Golf carts can reach almost every area of the city, allowing you to get as close as possible to nearly every attraction in Rome. If you want to know more about golf cart tours of Rome check this video.
  

Moving on to another aspect of planning a trip to Rome, we will talk about what to avoid.

What to Avoid in Rome

Let’s talk about what not to do when planning your Rome trip.

• Don’t flash valuables. Rome is safe, but there are pickpockets, especially on the Metro or in bustling areas.
  
• Avoid tourist traps near big attractions – they often overcharge and underdeliver. This is especially true for restaurants. If they have big, flashy menus with photos of every single Italian dish, stay away. Those places are usually overpriced and not authentic. 
  
• Skip overpriced “souvenir shops” and buy local goods at supermarkets instead, for great prices and real Italian quality.
  
• And skip attractions like the wax museum or the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit; they’re mostly replicas and not worth your time.

Now it is time to talk about another very important aspect of planning a trip to Rome and we will talk about: what to pack.

What to pack for your trip to Rome

Packing for Rome will depend on when you are visiting. Remember in the summer Rome is very hot, but in the spring and in the fall days are warm but nights can be chilly. Winter can get quite cold. So you will need to pack accordingly. For the summer light breathable clothes are recommended. 

In the spring and in the fall, when you start visiting and exploring the city in the morning it might still be a bit cold and a light jacket or a sweater is necessary. Around lunchtime and in the afternoon, if the sun is out, you probably won’t need a sweater or a jacket; just a polo or a shirt is probably fine. 

April and October, especially at the beginning of the month, will probably be a bit too chilly to wear shorts, so consider bringing some light pants, jeans, or a skirt. Spring can be a bit rainy so don’t forget to pack a raincoat and a small traveling umbrella. 

As I mentioned before, Rome is a city where you’ll be walking a lot, so bring sneakers or very well broken-in walking shoes. Please don’t wear your brand new shoes in Rome. Also, sandals, flip-flops, or high heels are not recommended in Rome because many streets are uneven, and you risk falling and hurting yourself. 

Also don’t forget to bring sunglasses and a small backpack. Lastly if you’re planning to visit churches, like St. Peter’s Basilica or the Pantheon, remember that you need to cover your shoulders and knees, so that usually means wearing a shirt and pants. So be sure to bring something that meets those criteria. 

Now let’s move on to another aspect about planning a trip to Rome and we will talk about essential planning tis:

Essential Planning Tips

Now with all that, Here are some quick tips that will help you optimize your trip to Rome

• Take short guided tours: 2–3 hours max. A whole-day guided tour might sound like a good idea at first; however, after 2-3 hours, you will be tired and overwhelmed with information, and you won’t be able to enjoy the tour any longer. Trust us, we have made that mistake before.
  
• Buy an Italian eSIM card for cheap data. Italy has some of the most affordable data plans for your cell phone; there is no need to spend money on roaming. We have included a link in the description to a cheap and reliable eSIM provider you can check out.
  
• Skip money exchange counters and use ATMs at local banks. Do not use the ATM at souvenir stores or coffee shops. Also, your credit and debit cards are accepted pretty much everywhere, so you won’t need to bring a lot of cash with you.
  
• But there’s an exception- Always carry coins you’ll need €1 and €0.50 coins for public bathrooms. Because finding a bathroom in Italy- well, in Europe, isn’t relatively as straightforward. Actually, it deserves its own video…
  

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it, your complete guide on how to plan a trip to Rome!

Rome is one of the most incredible cities in the world, full of history, beauty, and fantastic food. With the proper planning, you’ll enjoy every moment of it. 

But what about you? Are you planning a trip? Or if you’ve already been to Rome, did we get it right? Or is there anything more to add? Let me know in the comments below. If you found the video helpful, don’t forget to like and subscribe, as it’ll help others find the video, it supports the channel so that you won’t miss out on our future videos!