Rome: Strategies: Getting Around

Rome’s city center is compact, so getting around on foot is the preferred mode of transportation. A walk from St. Peter’s to the Colosseum takes an hour at a very leisurely pace—even allowing for a cappuccino stop. There are just two metro lines, and since they bisect at only one point, they are practically useless for getting where you really want to go. The buses, however, cover the city well and run often. New taxi regulations, which resulted in a higher number of cabs at peak hours, mean it should be easier to find one during rush hour. Either have your hotel call for one, or wait at one of the many taxi stands. (A word of warning: it’s against the law to hail a cab on the street, and drivers who stop can be fined.) Finally, beware of pickpockets, especially at main tourist attractions.