Flights from Melbourne to Rome

Know Before You Go

• If you are travelling with children, kids under the age of ten can ride the metro for free.
• Carry a reusable bottle of water with you while exploring the city. There are fountains throughout the city where you can fill up your bottle, and it will stop street vendors from trying to peddle you expensive bottles of water.
• If someone tries to give you a free gift, firmly decline. It is a popular scam where adults and even children try to trick you into accepting a rose or trinket and then demanding you pay for it.
• In Rome, you need to pay EUR 1 to use public restrooms. Or if you want to save your change, you can head into the nearest McDonald's and use their toilets for free.
• Before heading out for a day of exploration, make sure you have your hotel's address written down in Italian or a Google Maps screenshot. It will save you time and confusion by showing the taxi driver the address and help you get around the language barrier.
• During siesta (13:00 to 16:00), you might find some shops and restaurants closed. Do your research if you plan on visiting a particular place to make sure they are open to avoid disappoint or having to come back later.

Getting Around Rome

The public transport system in Rome is an excellent way to get around, especially if you are on a tight budget.

• To save money on transport, purchase a 3, 7, or 30-day pass that you can use on the buses, metro and trams.
• Use the trams to explore the city. They run above ground, making it easy to see more of Rome as you travel between destinations.
• If you are a nervous driver, hiring a car may not be the best option. It can be quite a stressful experience and take some time to get used to Rome's traffic.
• Buses in Rome run 24 hours a day, making it a convenient and affordable option if you want to explore the city during the day and at night.
• The Metro in Rome only has two lines, making it not as useful as other forms of public transportation in the city. Unless you are staying near a Metro stop or planning to visit an attraction near one, you'll probably find the other options more convenient.
• While taking a taxi might seem like the fastest way to get somewhere in Rome, it can be the opposite. The city is notorious for its gridlocked traffic, so if you are in a rush, it might be better to hop on a bus or the metro to get to your destination on time. 

When is The Best Time to Visit Rome?

While Rome is a great destination to visit all year around, deciding when is the best time for you, depends on a number of factors.

June to August is Rome's summer and high season. The weather is hot, and there is little chance of rain ruining any of your outdoor plans. However, you will find the city packed with more tourists than locals, as many leave the city from the 15th of August for summer break.

Rome has two shoulder seasons: April to June and September to October. It is one of the best times to visit the city as the weather is wonderful and most hotels and tour operators are offering travel deals. But if you want to take advantage of these lower prices, it's best to book in advance as the low prices still attract scores of tourists.

The least popular time to visit Italy's capital city is during the months of November to February. This time of year is the wettest and temperatures are quite low. However, if you don't mind the cold and want to experience Christmas or New Years abroad, you'll find low hotel rates, empty museums and a chance to experience a more authentic side of Rome.

Airports in Rome

Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) International Airport

Leonardo da Vinci International Airport otherwise known as Fiumicino Airport is the major international airport in Rome. It's one of the busiest in Europe with 41.7 million passengers served in 2016. The airport serves as the main hub for Alitalia and is a focus city for many international airlines.

Getting to and from Fiumicino International Airport

One of the cheapest ways to get into the city from the airport is with one of the many bus lines. Rates are competitive among the different companies, and you can pay as little as EUR 6 for a round trip ticket.

If you don't want to take the bus, the Leonardo Express Train is also an option. The train runs every 30 minutes and costs EUR 14 one way. There is also a regional train for half the price, but it makes multiple stops making it a lengthier commute.

Taxis from the airport will cost you EUR 48 one way with your baggage included. To avoid paying more than this, make sure the taxi is registered in Rome as they are obliged to charge that fee.

Ciampino International Airport

Ciampino International is a smaller airport located 12 km from the centre of Rome. It is mainly used by budget airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair for flights in and out of Europe.

Getting to and from Ciampino International Airport

The easiest and least expensive way to get from Ciampino airport into Rome is with a shuttle bus. A ticket will cost EUR 4 to EUR 6 one way, and the bus runs straight to the Termini station where you can then take a taxi or metro to your hotel.

Another bus option is the local Cotral bus that runs to the Anagnina metro station. It will cost EUR 1.50 one way, and from there you can take the metro to the Termini train station.

The official metered taxi fare from the airport will cost you EUR35 one way. To avoid "fake taxis", look out for white taxis that have an ID number and a meter before jumping in.