Rome Travel Guide
Whether you are visiting for the picturesque piazzas, Michelangelo’s masterpieces or the awe-inspiring architecture, Rome blends the historic legacy of an ancient city with the cosmopolitan culture of a modern metropolis.
When is the best time to visit Rome?
Rome's Mediterranean climate of mild winters and hot summers make it an appealing travel destination all year round. If you’re visiting in the summer (June/July/August), you’re likely to experience dry weather with high temperatures. Although cooler in the winter (December, January, February), temperatures don’t tend to drop very low, but rainfall does peak in November and December. There can be up to 11 hours of sunshine in the summer, so bring plenty of protection. Or, if you’re looking to visit during a cooler season, Spring (March/April/May) and Autumn (September/October/November) are perfect for sightseeing and visiting local landmarks.
Travelling to Rome
If you are arriving at Leonardo da Vinci airport (known colloquially as Fiumicino airport), you can catch an express train from inside the airport to the Roma Termini station in the centre of Rome. The FL1 regional trainlines can also be used from this station and will take you to a variety of stations in and around the centre. Taxis operate at a fixed rate of €50 to within city walls.
At Ciampino, the airport transfer bus can take you to Roma Termini in 45 minutes, with buses running roughly every hour. The 520 can be taken from the airport to Cinecitta station in an hour, and the 720 stops at Laurentina station, but can take up to an hour and a half. A taxi can be caught outside the airport, with a fixed fare of between 30€ and 40€.
Getting around Rome
Public Transport in Rome
Your best bet when it comes to travelling around Rome when not on foot is to use the local bus network. You will need to pre-buy a ticket for the bus at a metro station, newsstand, or local shop. These tickets can be used on a variety of different networks, including buses, metros, and trams. Tickets can last varying lengths of time, from 75 minutes to 72 hours, but if you’re planning on staying for longer, a weekly pass allows for unlimited public transport over a 7-day period.
Taxis in Rome
Taxis are available in Rome but tend to cost more than in other cities. Make sure you are using the official taxi service, white cars with a TAXI sign and the taxi meter visible on the dashboard, to avoid overpaying, and bear in mind the fixed rates when taking a taxi to or from the airport.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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