Buses in Rome – How to Use?

Riding a city bus in Rome is a test of attentiveness and resourcefulness for tourists and any resident. Additionally, a sense of humor, resilience to stress, and patience will be helpful.

Currently, Rome boasts more than 300 bus routes operating throughout the day, over 8,000 stops, and 22 nighttime lines.
It’s highly recommended to have mobile internet, be proficient with maps, and know how to use apps on your phone.

Facts you can’t change:

1. Buses have schedules, but sometimes the driver might have more pressing matters. A bus can arrive 10 minutes early, be 30 minutes late, or not show up.
2. If the bus arrives on time, make sure it’s your route! If yes, it’s your lucky day; boast to your friends.
3. Inside, you can experience the local flavor. Buses are frequented by stylish seniors, simple folks, harmless Bangladeshi workers, nuns, various eccentrics, and cheerful schoolchildren.

Overall, I recommend tourists wisely choose a hotel in the historic center of Rome so that all major attractions are within walking distance. A good strategy would be to minimize the reliance on public transport. Nevertheless, it would be good to be aware of the tips below.

So, let’s begin our bus adventure.

How does Rome’s bus stop look?

In Rome, a bus stop is typically marked by a pole displaying minimal route information – such as operation times, from 5:30 to 24:00, the street name and the number of stops the bus will make on that street. For example, Gianicolense (6 fermate).

Thus, upon arriving at the stop, you know the bus operates within a specific time frame. All that’s left is to hope, believe, and wait.
You’ll find modern displays showing real-time information at some stops, especially those closer to the city center.

These occasionally reflect the actual bus situation.

It’s important to note that these displays do not show “ghost buses,” which, for some reason, don’t have an active satellite tracking system. Why? Don’t bother seeking answers; just accept the situation. Perhaps Giovanni simply forgot to switch on the tracker – countless valid reasons exist.
Sometimes, the display reads ATAC ROMA. Among friends, we joke that it’s a sign of trouble (in Italian, “atac” is a phonetic play on the word “attack” or “trouble”). In reality, it’s just a system reboot, and the schedule will reappear in a moment.

How to board the correct bus

If there aren’t many people at the stop, keep an eye on the approaching bus’s number. To signal the bus to stop, wave your hand like in the movies. In Rome, all bus stops are on request – this applies to passengers on board and those waiting outside.
To disembark at the desired stop, constantly track your position on the map and press the red button near the exit in advance.

A Real-life Story

One day, my friend Sergey, an experienced traveler who had been to Rome many times, had to get from the Termini station (Roma Termini) to Trastevere on bus H.

Since Termini is the last stop for H, it seemed straightforward. To ensure he didn’t miss the stop where I was waiting, Sergey shared his live location with me during the ride. I was slightly taken aback when the bus seemed to be veering off in a different direction. Sometimes drivers change routes for various reasons.
Ten minutes later, we realized Sergey was passing the Vatican on bus number 64. I immediately advised him to get off. Eventually, we managed to meet up. It’s good that Sergey has a friend in Rome, and we weren’t in a hurry that day.

What went wrong?

I see three possibilities:

1. The bus arrived as H but changed its route to 64 at the terminal;
2. Sergey didn’t check the bus number since H and 64 stop at the same platform;
3. It’s Rome; sometimes, you don’t need to find answers; just go with the flow.

How to avoid such a situation?

Always check the bus number and directions at the front. It’s almost always accurate.
If in doubt and you urgently need to get somewhere, board through the front door and ask the driver. Even if you don’t speak Italian, use any language you know, even sign language, to convey the name of the stop you want to reach. Even locals do this, so don’t be shy.

Where to find the timetable?

Surprisingly, buses in Rome do have a theoretical schedule. You can view it using apps like Probus Rome (available on Android and iPhone), Roma Bus (Android, iPhone), and Google Maps. If the satellite tracker on the bus is functioning, the app might even display the real-time location of the bus.

Where to buy a ticket?

Bus tickets can be purchased at any metro station, newsstand, or bar where tobacco products are sold at the counter.

Look for a sign that reads “TABACCHI.” A standard ticket (BIGLIETTO INTEGRATO A TEMPO) costing 1.5 euros allows you to use city buses and trams for 100 minutes and make a single metro trip. This ticket is also sufficient to reach the beach at Ostia.
If you plan on using the bus frequently, I recommend stocking up on individual tickets or buying a weekly pass (CARTA INTEGRATA SETTIMANALE) for 24 euros.

How to validate the ticket

It might seem like nobody in Rome validates their tickets. This is because many have monthly passes which don’t need to be inserted into the machine. However, tourists should validate their tickets at the beginning of their first trip by inserting them into the validator machine inside the bus. The ticket will then be stamped with the date and time. If you switch to another bus afterward, you don’t need to validate the ticket again.

Night buses

Night buses typically run every hour from midnight to 5-6 am. If, for some reason, a driver doesn’t start their route, you may end up waiting another hour. Having a backup plan and 20-30 euros set aside for a taxi is always good.
I hope this makes your bus journeys in Rome more predictable. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask in the comments below.