General
Overview
Roma Termini is Rome’s central station with 32 platforms, serving metro, regional, and high-speed trains.
Transfer Options
Rome’s public transport operator ATAC runs periodic strikes (scioperi), often announced 5–10 days in advance. Check the ATAC service status page before travel for disruption alerts. If buses or Metro are suspended, an official taxi or rideshare (Uber / FREE NOW) is the most reliable fallback.
Luggage Storage
Located on the platform level (Floor 0) near Platform 24. Expect queues during peak hours.
Tip: Station and airport storage counters often have long queues, especially at peak hours. Booking via one of these apps is usually faster and cheaper than queuing at the official left-luggage desk — and you can drop bags at nearby hotels or shops instead.
Visitor Cards and Passes
Roma Pass
For visitors planning multiple journeys, integrated passes offer better value. The Roma Pass includes unlimited public transit and museum discounts.
| Duration | Price | Museums |
|---|---|---|
| 48h | €38.00 | 1 free |
| 72h | €62.90 | 2 free |
ATAC Tourist Tickets
ATAC Tourist Tickets cover all buses, trams, and metro. A single BIT ticket costs €1.50 (valid 100 min).
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| BIT (single) | €1.50 |
| 24h | €8.50 |
| 48h | €15.00 |
| 72h | €22.00 |
| CIS (weekly) | €29.00 |
Children’s Fares
- Under-10s travel free on all ATAC services (bus, tram, and Metro) when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
- On Trenitalia regional trains (FL1 to Fiumicino or Ciampino), under-4s travel free without a seat; children aged 4–11 travel free — one child per paying adult (Lazio Fare 1/Ter).
- On the Leonardo Express, under-4s are free (no seat); ages 4–14 receive a 50% discount on the base fare.
At Termini, purchase passes at Tourist Information Points or Tabacchi shops within the station. Remember to validate physical cards at yellow machines on your first journey.
Use Citymapper for the most intuitive real-time navigation and precise station exit details, while MooneyGo is the essential choice for purchasing and validating digital transit tickets and parking in Rome.
Public Transit
Train & Metro
Price and Time
Termini is the central hub for the Metro. A Single Ticket (BIT) costs €1.50 (valid for 100 minutes). The Metro is the fastest way to reach the Colosseum or Vatican (5–15 minutes).
Tickets & Validation
At Termini, follow signs to Floor -1 for the Metro. Use red ATAC machines or simply Tap & Go with a contactless credit card at the turnstiles.
Physical tickets are worthless until timestamped. Transit inspectors will fine you €50+ if your ticket isn’t stamped in the yellow machines before the journey starts.
Bus
Airport Shuttles
Shuttle buses like Terravision, SIT Bus Shuttle, and T.A.M. serve both airports.
City Buses (Termini)
The main bus terminal is in Piazza dei Cinquecento (outside the station). Digital displays show real-time arrivals.
The Termini bus terminal is chaotic. Use Google Maps or Citymapper to identify your specific bus number and “banchina” (platform) letter, as signs can be hard to read.
Accessibility & Safety
Accessibility
Sala Blu (near Platform 1) provides assistance. Termini offers step-free access, but if elevators to the Metro are broken, Sala Blu staff can facilitate access via service lifts.
RFI Sala BluSafety
Ticket Helpers: Strangers offering to “help” you buy a ticket at machines are running a scam — use contactless (Tap & Go) at the turnstile instead. At Night: After 10pm, the streets outside along Via Marsala and Via Giolitti can feel unsafe — take a taxi directly to your hotel rather than walking.
In the city center, “Sanpietrini” (black cobblestones) are slippery and uneven. Wear sturdy shoes and avoid rolling suitcases with small plastic wheels over them, as they may snap.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
KiPoint depot on the platform level (via Giolitti). Search and claim online at trenitalia.findmylost.it. Unclaimed items pass to the municipality after 15 days.
Trenitalia FindMyLostPharmacy
Farmacia Cristo Re dei Ferrovieri in the basement (galleria commerciale), open daily 7:00–20:00.
Farmacia Roma TerminiArrival
Official Taxi
Official Rome taxis are white, have a “Comune di Roma” crest, and a taxi sign on the roof.
Price: Termini to Center - metered fare, usually €10–€20 depending on traffic.
Roma Mobilità – TaxiAlways use the official rank outside the terminals/station. Ignore solicitors offering rides.
- Ask “Posso pagare con carta?” (Can I pay by card?) before loading bags. Drivers may claim the machine is broken to get cash.
- Always ensure the meter is started at the beginning of the trip. The rank is well-organized, but drivers may still prefer cash for shorter trips.
Rideshare
For Uber Black/NCC: Drivers typically pick up on Via Marsala (near Hotel Royal Santina) or Via Giolitti. For Freenow: Go to the Official Taxi Rank in Piazza dei Cinquecento.
Ensure the vehicle has an “NCC” sticker (Rental with Driver) on the rear window. This is the only legal way for non-taxi rideshare vehicles to operate.
Use FreeNow or itTaxi for the fastest city transit, as they hail official taxis authorized to use dedicated bus lanes to bypass Rome’s heavy traffic. Select Uber for premium reliability or a seamless transfer at Fiumicino Airport, where it is the official partner with dedicated priority pickup zones.
ATMs and currency
Locations
ATMs are available throughout airports and the station.
- Only use bank-affiliated ATMs (e.g., UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo). Avoid Euronet or generic kiosks.
- Always decline the machine’s currency conversion. Choose to be charged in Euros (EUR) to let your home bank handle the rate and avoid fees up to 13%.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
For high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Italo), arrive 30 minutes before departure to allow time to navigate. For regional trains, 15 minutes is typically enough.
Scan your ticket QR code at the automated platform gates to enter the departure zone, then check the “Partenze” boards for your Binario (Platform) number.
Platforms are often announced only 10–15 minutes before departure. Platforms 1 Est, 2 Est, and 25–29 require a long walk from the main hall — move immediately once your platform is posted.
Security Controls
Security & Screening
Train stations in Italy do not require X-ray security screening. Platform access is controlled by ticket gates — scan the QR code on your ticket (digital or printed) to enter the departure zone.
Passport Control
There is no passport control at Italian train stations for domestic or EU/Schengen rail travel.
VAT Refunds
VAT refunds are not processed at train stations. If you are eligible, arrange your refund at your departure airport before flying out of Italy.