- About Rome Tips

Rome Getting settled

If you want to secure a room in one of Rome’s funky B&Bs or good value hostels, then you’ll need to think ahead. For the Beehive, Pensione Panda or Daphne Inn plan to book one month in advance.

Rome Staying connected

Free wi-fi spots cover much of central Rome. To log on, open your browser and fill in the registration form, which will ask you to enter your mobile number. After making a quick call to verify the number, you’re entitled to one hour of free internet access per day. See www.romawireless.com.

Rome Coffee, how it’s done

To do as the Romans do, you have to be precise about your coffee needs. For an espresso ask for un caffè; if you want it with a drop of milk, order an un caffè macchiato. A long black coffee is caffè lungo or caffè all’american and an iced coffee is caffè freddo. In summer cappuccino freddo (iced coffee with milk) or granite di caffè (frozen coffee, usually with cream) top the charts.

Rome Food fashion

Young Romans have embraced the Milanese import of the aperitivo. Not just a drink, this is the array of hot and cold snacks that bars, restaurants and even some shops offer from around 6pm to 9pm. Some of the best spots for aperitivo are Fluid, Freni e Frizoni and Société Lutèce.

Rome The Art Pass

The Roma Pass (€20) includes free admission to two museums or sights (from a list of 38), reduced entry to extra sights and events, and unlimited public transport. If you use it for more expensive sights such as the Capitoline Museums, it’s real value for money.

Rome Getting around Airport etc

The best way to get around the historic centre is on foot. Otherwise, the city’s bus network, run by ATAC is your best bet. Its website (in Italian) features a journey planner and downloadable transport maps. Public transport tickets are valid on all modes of public transit. A single BIT ticket (€1) is valid for 75 minutes and one metro ride. If you intend staying a couple of days and exploring different neighbourhoods you’re better off with a daily BIG (€4) or multiday BTI (€11) pass.

Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino International Airport (Rome Fiumicino, IATA: FCO) – Rome’s main airport is modern, large, rather efficient, and well connected to the center of the city by public transportation. However, late-night arrivals may limit you to an irregular bus into town unless you can afford a taxi.

Rome Airport official website

From Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino airport, there are two train lines to get you into Rome:

• Leonardo Express trains leave every 30 minutes to the central train station Roma Termini (35 minute trip). Return trains from Roma Termini depart from Track 24 on the right. Tickets cost €14 and are available at the counter as well as the Termini news stand. Tickets sold at the departure platform are more expensive. You can’t buy a ticket for a specific train; it’s just a general ticket for a specific route (Termini), but it’s good for any time. Get your ticket stamped in a yellow validation machine just before using it. The ticket will expire 90 minutes after validation.
• The Metropolitan Rome train does not stop at Termini. Get off at Tiburtina Station or, before that, at Rome Ostiense Station where you can connect to Line B of the Rome Metro, or get off at Trastevere Station and from there take the ‘8′ tram (direction ‘Argentina’) to go to Largo Argentina and Campo de’ Fiori. Tickets are €5.50, plus €1 for a metro/tram ticket. The extra cost of the Leonardo Express is for the convenience of a direct ride to Termini. If you are going somewhere else on the Metro, Tiburtina and Ostiense are as convenient. Get your ticket stamped in a yellow validation machine just before using it.