How To Use The Subway in Rome: Safe and Simple Travel Guide

Rome subway, or Metro, which it’s called in Europe, is an easy, fast, and efficient way to move around the city. Unfortunately, it can also be intimidating if you don’t know how to use it. Let’s explore everything you need to know about using the Subway in Rome together.

Lines A, B, and C

Rome has three main subway lines: the orange line, or Linea A; the blue line, or Linea B; and the green line, or Linea C. The Green Line is unimportant for tourists because it goes outside downtown. Furthermore, it is mostly under construction.

Passengers can change between the orange and blue lines at Rome’s Termini Station and between the orange and green lines at San Giovanni Station.

The orange line goes from the station of Battistini on the west to Agnanina on the east. Two trains go along the blue line: one that starts in Laurentina in the south and ends in Rebibia in the north, and another that starts in Laurentina in the south and ends in Jonia.

So, for example, if you are a Termini station and want to go to the Spagna station for the Spanish Steps, you need to go toward Batistini. Likewise, if you are at the Colosseum and want to go to the Circus Maximus, you need to go toward Laurentina.

The names of the train’s last stops are always written above the stairs to take you in the correct direction. When you’re waiting for the train, a display confirms the direction of the train by mentioning the last stop on the line.

Subway stations

All the subway stations in Rome are marked by a red letter M, which stands for metro. They are very easy to spot.

Stations on the A-line (Orange Line)

As a tourist few important subway stations in Rome are worth knowing on the Linea A. These are:

Termini Station

Termini station is the center point of Rome’s blue and orange line. Further, Termini station also connects to regional trains, in addition to the high speed trains from Trenitalia and Italo

How to Get From FCO Fiumicino Airport to Rome

Barberini

This station is on the very central Piazza Barberini, with the famous Fontana del Tritone by Bernini. Also, this is the closest station to the Trevi Fountain. In fact, the famous landmark is only 8 minutes walking from the metro station.

Spagna

If you are looking to go to the Spanish Steps, Spanga is your metro stop. Moreover, the steps are just outside the metro station. (If you would like to know more about what to see in Rome, here is a great article for you). This station is also close to the high-end shipping area of Rome. In fact, the famous Via Condotti is just in front of the Spanish Steps.

Flaminio – Piazza del Popolo

You can use this station to visit the beautiful Piazza del Popolo with the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, the paintings by Caravaggio, and the Chigi Chapel by Bernini. Also, if you are a fan of the movie Angels and Demons, the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo was an important place in the movie.

From the Piazza del Popolo station, you can also visit the Pincio Terrace where you can admire one of the best views of Rome and take a stroll at the Villa Borghese gardens.

Ottaviano – Musei Vaticani

If you are planning to visit the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, this is the metro station you need to take. The museum’s entrance is about 10 minutes’ walking from this metro station.

San Giovanni

In the opposite direction of the Termini Station, you will find the San Giovanni Metro Station. Indeed, this is where you can stop if you are planning of visiting the beautiful Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano and the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta).

Stations on the B-line (Blue Line)

On the line B of the subway in Rome, you will have less stations that are important for tourists. In particular:

Termini

At the Termini metro station, tourists can change between lines here and catch a train everywhere in Italy. (If you want to read more about Italian Train Travel here you can find a very in-depth article)

Colosseo

At this station you can visit the Colosseum, the Forum and the ruins area. The station is just in front of the Colosseum itself and it is probably the best and easiest way to reach the attraction.

Circo Massimo

If you want to visit the vast area of the Circus Maximus this is the Metro station that you have to take. Also closer to this station is the Aventino Hill with the beautiful view of Rome from the Orange Garden and the famous Key Hole.

Piramide

You exit this stop if you want to go see the Pyramid of Rome. Also close by, you can visit the non catholic cemetery of Rome where you can see some interesting tumbs.

Basilica di San Paolo

From this station you can reach the Basilica of St. Paul. According to the legend this Basilica was built on the site where the Saint was beheded.

Tickets and Passes

You can buy tickets for the Metro at the automatic vending machine at each station. Also, you will be able to buy tickets in some newsstands and tobacco stores. Lastly, you can use the ticket for the subway but also city buses and some specialized local trains. (For a complete list of where you can use the ticket you can check this website).

There are different kinds of tickets you can choose from, first a single ride ticket. This kind of ticket is good for a single ride on the Metro or for 100 minutes on buses.

Secondly, you can choose to buy passes. There are 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and weekly passes available. Additionally, if you are planning on using the metro often when traveling to Rome these passes offer a much better deal. (Pricing is available here).

It is also possible to tap your credit card at the gate for a single use subway ride.

You will need to use your ticket at the gate to enter the station. However, differently from other metro stations in the world, you will not need a ticket to activate the gate to get out.

Hours of operation

The subway in Rome runs every day from 5 am to 11 pm. At peak hours, there is approximately one train every 4 minutes. Train frequency is higher during the week, while during weekends and holidays trains are less frequent.

How Safe is the Metro in Rome

The Metro in Rome is normally very safe. However, like any other very crowded place, you have to be a little cautious about your belongings, so watch out for pick pockets. Also, pay closer attention when you reach a popular tourist attraction, such as the Colosseum or the Vatican Museum. Indeed, most pickpockets tend to target those particular stations.

The Rome subway is a great way to get around the city. It is very efficient, mainly because you don’t have to deal with Rome traffic. It is also a very cheap alternative to taxis. However, some areas of Rome are easily reached by subways, such as the Pantheon or Piazza Navona.

Rome Metro FAQ

We hope you liked this article on using the Subway in Rome. If you need more help, leave a comment below.

Rick and Andrea