Italy for me From Italy with love
Getting to Tivoli from Rome on your own is very easy. Why go to Tivoli?
- To explore the stunning villas: Villa d’Este, Villa Adriana, and Villa Gregoriana.
- On Wednesdays, don’t miss the flea market, similar to Rome’s Porta Portese.
- Tivoli is also home to the historic Sibilla restaurant, which has been serving guests for over 300 years. You can visit it during an individual tour from Rome.
This photo guide will help all travelers save time, money, and avoid stress.
The most reliable and fastest way to get to Tivoli is by train from Roma Tiburtina station. But let’s assume you’re like most tourists and begin your journey at Rome’s main train station, Roma Termini. A taxi stand is located right outside the station entrance.
First, you’ll need to buy your tickets. The easiest way to do this is via the Self Service ticket machines.
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Buying Train Tickets in Italy on Your Own: Step-by-Step Guide with Photos
To buy tickets independently, you’ll need to understand at least one of five languages: Italian, English, German, French, or Spanish.
We’ll walk through the process in English, but even if you don’t speak any of the listed languages, don’t worry — the interface is very intuitive. Start by entering your destination (Arrival station): Tivoli.
You’ll see options ranging from €2.60 to €30. Travel time is the same — just over an hour — so we’ll go with the €2.60 ticket.
We selected a departure in 10 minutes.
According to the schedule, you’ll first take a regional train to Roma Tiburtina. From there, transfer to a direct train to Tivoli — the ride takes about 50 minutes.
Now select the number of tickets — in our case, it was three. Then press the FORWARD> button to continue.
You’ll be offered the option to purchase a return ticket. We had planned to return by bus. Spoiler: the bus is an option, but there’s a risk of getting stuck in traffic, and I didn’t find it ideal. Train tickets are valid for 2 months, so if you miss your departure — no problem. This is Italy, after all. If desired, select a return ticket and press PURCHASE.
Next, choose a payment method — either cash (with a maximum change limit of €100) or card. All major payment systems are accepted: Visa, Mastercard, etc.
We chose to pay in cash. Insert coins here.
Wait for the ticket to print.
Voilà — we have our ticket!
Heading to Tivoli
But finding the correct departure platform right away proved difficult — not even for me, an experienced traveler, nor for my friend Max, who lived in Rome for 4 years. This is Rome, after all — you just roll with it. Don’t worry, we just hopped on the metro. The standard city ticket costs €1.50.
Pay attention — not all metro trains go to the required station Tiburtina Fs. You need a train heading toward Rebibbia.
The ride from Termini to Tiburtina takes about 15 minutes.
When exiting the metro, turn left toward the platforms (Binari). If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, below you’ll find instructions for buying one at Tiburtina Station, as the process differs slightly.
Trains to Tivoli depart from platforms 1 and 2.
In Italy, double-checking everything is a good idea. For example, “Tivoli” may not appear on the display board.
Check the printed schedule on the wall. Turns out the train to Pescara at 10:33 passes through Tivoli.
From here on, it’s simple — follow the many pedestrian underpasses.
Important tip — don’t forget to validate your ticket using a machine like this. If for some reason you can’t validate it, write the departure station, date, and time by hand on the ticket. That’s usually acceptable for conductors — and yes, your ticket will be checked.
Onward to a bright future.
Plan for about 5–7 minutes of walking from the metro to the train platform.
Поздравляю, вы успешно добрались до поезда.
Buying Tickets to Tivoli at Roma Tiburtina Station
Let’s say you’ve arrived at Tiburtina Station and need to buy a ticket to Tivoli. It’s actually even easier than using the self-service machines at Termini, though the process is slightly different. First, you can go to the ticket counters and try to explain which ticket you need. Most Italians are very friendly, and the language barrier is rarely a problem. Just don’t be shy.
Find a hotel near Tiburtina metro station
While planning your vacation in Italy, don’t be surprised or upset by possible delays. Just accept it as part of the experience — no one here is ever in a hurry.
Self-service ticket purchases at Tiburtina are made at these machines.
Train schedule for line FL2: Roma Tiburtina – Tivoli
Select one of five available languages.
Quick select is available for second-class tickets.
We’re headed to Tivoli.
Buy the €2.60 ticket. Payment is accepted in cash or with special cards only. Note: Visa and Mastercard are not accepted here.
The ticket looks different from the ones purchased at Termini. After validating it in the machine, a hole and the departure date will appear on your ticket.
Just in case, double-check the schedule on the wall. The best option for us was the 12:38 departure from platform 1.
Journey to Tivoli: Photos from the Train Window
I recommend grabbing a window seat on the right side of the train in the direction of travel. The views are absolutely worth it.
This is what Italy looks like in mid-October.
As you approach Tivoli, you’ll see a breathtaking gorge and waterfalls. These are located at the previously mentioned Villa Gregoriana, just a 10-minute walk from the station.
This is what the main entrance to the train station in Tivoli looks like. Turn right for the waterfalls, or left across the bridge to reach the town center. To explore all the sights, you’ll need a full day — or two for a more relaxed pace. Staying overnight in Tivoli is definitely worth considering. There aren’t as many hotels as in Rome, but they’re much more affordable.
Tours from Rome
The most comfortable way to explore all of Tivoli’s main attractions is by taking a private tour in Russian, starting from €325. A more budget-friendly option, which includes visits to Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este, is a group tour in English for €85 per person.
Hopefully, this guide was helpful and you’re happy to share it with your friends on social media. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments.