Getting Around Rome: Rental Cars, Restricted Zones, Buses and Taxis

Driving a rental car in central Rome means dealing with the ZTLs, the restricted traffic zones where cars without the right permit can’t go. Cameras photograph plates, and on Fridays and Saturdays both daytime and night-time zones are in force. Check the hours before you drive anywhere near the center.

At a glance

• Fascia Verde: Monday to Saturday, 24 hours, older petrol and diesel vehicles barred
• ZTL Centro Storico speed limit: 19 mph (30 km/h)
• Friday and Saturday: daytime and night-time ZTLs both in force
• Fines: cameras photograph plates, fines go to the driver’s home in the United States
• Orvieto funicular: every 15 minutes, about 2 minutes ride

Do you need a car in Rome?

Inside the historic center, a car is more trouble than help. The ZTLs limit who can enter, and the speed limit in the ZTL Centro Storico is 19 mph (30 km/h), even on wide roads. The Fascia Verde, a wider low-emission zone, bars older petrol cars (Euro 0 to Euro 2) and diesel cars (Euro 0 to Euro 3) from Monday to Saturday, around the clock. Ask the rental company which Euro emissions class your car belongs to before you pick it up.

• Staying in the center: skip the car · the Centro, Tridente, Trastevere, San Lorenzo and Testaccio ZTLs all run on Fridays and Saturdays
• Visiting Ostia Antica: park outside the site · only people with a specific badge may drive into the internal car park of the archaeological area

How does the bus work in Rome?

Orvieto, a separate town, has a clear way up from its station. The railway station sits in Orvieto Scalo at the foot of the cliff, and the city center is reachable by funicular or local bus. The funicular runs every 15 minutes between the station car park and Piazza Cahen, where two electric minibuses continue. The line is about 1,900 feet (580 m) long, climbs about 515 feet (157 m) and takes about 2 minutes.

Drivers have another option. The Campo della Fiera car park connects to the center by escalators or a lift, and Piazza del Duomo is about 2,600 feet (800 meters) from the top. The Foro Boario car park, with 620 spaces, has a mechanized route to Piazza Ranieri: two lifts, three escalators, two travelators and a fixed walkway, about 590 feet (180 m) in all. The station car park has 450 spaces.

Renting a car in Rome: what to know

Authorities fine drivers without the proper permits in historic downtown areas of cities and towns across Italy. Cameras take pictures of license plates for cars driving illegally in areas that need a permit, and the fines are sent to the driver’s home in the United States for payment. In Rome, that makes the zone hours worth a look before each drive.

Friday daytime hours: Centro 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tridente 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Trastevere 6:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday: Centro 2 to 6 p.m., Tridente 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Trastevere 6:30 to 10 a.m. Night-time zones run on both nights: Trastevere and San Lorenzo from 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., Centro and Testaccio from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

How much is a taxi in Rome?

Taxi fares aren’t listed here, so ask for the price before you set off. On Friday and Saturday nights, when the night ZTLs run from 9:30 p.m. or 11 p.m. until 3 a.m., a ride without your own rental car means one less permit to worry about.

Can you get around Rome by boat?

In Roman times the Tiber ran along the northern side of Ostia.

What are the driving rules in Italy?

The U.S. State Department says seat belt use is mandatory in Italy. When driving outside of cities, you must always use headlights. Drivers often pass on superhighways (autostrada) at high speeds. Rural roads are generally narrow and often have no guardrails and inconsistent speed limits. If authorities stop you driving a car registered abroad, you must pay the ticket immediately under certain conditions. Be prepared to pay in cash in local currency.

Confirm them locally before you drive.