Rome is a relatively easy city to get around. The centre is fairly compact and most of the sights are within walking distance of one another. Much of Rome is pedestrianised and if you are in the city centre there is an excellent bus network and local railway. Alternatively, if you prefer to be driven around there are plenty of taxis, although these can prove an expensive way to travel.
Traffic in Rome is often heavy and driving in the city centre can be quite an experience, as Italians tend to drive fast and can be impatient. Although the city can become somewhat congested at peak times, a car provides a very convenient way to travel outside of the city centre. In Italy, people drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. Many car rental agencies are available and there is a particularly good selection at the airport.
Even though there are only two subway lines, the Metro system still provides the easiest, cheapest and quickest way to travel around the city. Entrances to the subway are marked with a large white 'M' on a red background. The Metro opens at 05:30 and the last trains leave at either 23:30, or at 00:30 on Saturdays. Both lines intersect at Termini train station: Line A runs from the north-west to the south-west part of the city and includes stops in San Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza Barberini, Piazza di Spagna and San Pietro near the Vatican City. Line B runs from the north-east to the south-east part of the city and includes stops near the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus.
Although taxis in Rome do not cruise around the streets, they will stop if you flag them down. They can normally be found lined up at stands and can also be called by phone. There may be some supplements, such as luggage or late night charges, that do not appear on the meter so it may be useful to ask about these before leaving. You should only use the official licensed taxis, which are yellow and white and can be clearly identified by the taxi sign on the roof and a numbered shield on the side.
COTRAL buses and ATAC trams depart from many points throughout the city and service the Lazio region. Tickets cannot be purchased on the bus itself, except at night. Instead, they are sold at tobacconists, newsstands, some coffee shops and ticket machines and booths in Metro stations and at some bus stops. Day tickets are available, and these are valid for city and regional buses, trams, the Metro subway and other train lines. Stops are indicated by yellow panels showing the route and timetables. Travelling by bus may not be as fast as on the Metro subway, but it is certainly more scenic.
Rome has an overground railway network which is a useful way to travel if you are heading out of the city. There are long-distance trains available that travel to the cities of Florence and Venice. For destinations that are within 62 miles / 100 km of the city you are able to purchase a kilometrico ticket. Like bus tickets, these can be bought at a variety of outlets and also at the train stations. They must be date-stamped in the machines near the train before you board and remain valid for six hours from the time they were stamped.