🚆 Rome metro 2026: tickets, hours and three lines

Rome's metro is compact once you know its three lines and fare rules. We've broken down how to buy a ticket, where to transfer, and how late the system runs.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links. We earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

Rome metro line map

💡 In short:

Buy a BIT ticket or a pass from a station machine or kiosk, or pay by card at the gate using Tap & Go.
Remember the last train time: on Fridays and Saturdays the metro runs later.
Fares and hours: 09/2026, verified on the official ATAC website.

Rome's metro opened later than in many European capitals. Construction began back in the 1930s, but the war stopped it. Work resumed in 1948, and the first 11 km section opened in 1955 (as of 09/2026, metro history).

Three lines operate today. Line A (Battistini-Anagnina) opened in 1980 and has 27 stations. Line B (Laurentina-Rebibbia) is older, with 22 stations. Line B includes the B1 branch with 19 stations to Jonio. Line C is the newest, and its trains run without a driver (as of 09/2026, lines and stations).

Rome metro station platform with a train at the platform

Transfers are convenient at two hubs. Lines A and B intersect at Termini station, and A and C at San Giovanni station. The reason for the modest network is well known: ancient layers lie beneath Rome. Every tunnel is dug together with archaeologists, which is why construction drags on for decades.

Another quirk: some stations are above ground and look like suburban rail platforms. You can't always head back in the opposite direction from the same platform, so pay attention to the signs.

How to buy a ticket and use it

Rome's system combines the metro, buses, trams, urban rail lines, and the Metromare line to Ostia. All of it works on the Metrebus ticket, and you can switch between modes within a single zone.

You can buy a ticket from a station machine, a tobacco kiosk, or a bar. Contactless bank card payment at the gate via Tap & Go also works. Each ride is then charged as a BIT at €1.50, and after the fifth tap in a day the fare automatically caps at €8.50 per 24 hours (as of 09/2026, contactless payment).

The basic BIT ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 100 minutes from validation (as of 09/2026, BIT terms). On the metro it allows only one entry, but on buses and trams you can transfer without limits. You cannot enter the metro a second time with the same ticket, so buy a new one for the return trip.

For longer trips, get a pass. The ROMA 24H ticket costs €8.50, ROMA 48H €15, ROMA 72H €22, and the weekly CIS €29 (as of 09/2026, Metrebus fares). Children under 10 ride free with an adult. And make sure to validate your ticket: without a stamp, inspectors will issue a €54.90 fine (as of 09/2026, ATAC rules).

How to get around on the metro

The map is logically laid out. Stations near major monuments are named after them: you get off at Colosseo and you're right at the Colosseum. Directions on the map match the city map, so orienting yourself is easy.

Trains on line A run every 3-6 minutes at peak times (as of 09/2026, service intervals). Line C is automated, with intervals of 5-12 minutes.

Colosseo metro station platform with passengers and tracks

Inside the Colosseum, entry is timed, and a ticket with a time slot on GetYourGuide lets you skip the ticket office line.

What to see near metro stations

The metro is conveniently connected to the city's main sights. From Colosseo you can reach the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. From Ottaviano, you can walk to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Spagna brings you out at the Spanish Steps, and Barberini at the Trevi Fountain.

The Vatican Museums always have a long line, and skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide give you timed entry. The Borghese Gallery also admits visitors by reservation only.

Tours and tickets in Rome

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on Tiqets

The widget loads once you give your consent.

Hours and intervals

The metro opens at 05:30 every day. The last train Sunday through Thursday leaves at 23:30, and on Friday and Saturday service runs until 01:30 (as of 09/2026, ATAC schedule). The extended schedule is sometimes canceled due to overnight maintenance work.

At night, buses nMA, nMB, and nMC run along the same routes. They replace the metro roughly from 23:30 to 05:30.

Subaugusta station platform with a train arrival board

Urban rail lines and the Metromare line to Ostia close earlier than the metro. On weekdays, Metromare runs only until 21:00 due to repairs, and on holidays until 23:30 (as of 09/2026, Metromare).

Transport strikes happen in Rome. On those days, the metro often runs longer than surface routes, so check the status of your line before heading out.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a metro ticket in Rome cost?

A BIT ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 100 minutes (as of 09/2026, ATAC fares). For several days, get a ROMA 24H for €8.50, ROMA 48H for €15, or ROMA 72H for €22.

Until what time does the Rome metro run?

Trains run from 05:30. Sunday through Thursday the last train leaves at 23:30, and on Friday and Saturday at 01:30 (as of 09/2026, schedule). At night the metro is replaced by buses nMA, nMB, and nMC.

How many lines does the Rome metro have?

Three lines currently operate: A, B with the B1 branch, and the automated C. Lines A and B intersect at Termini station, and A and C at San Giovanni station. Construction of line C continues, so the network is gradually growing.

Can you pay in the metro with a bank card?

Yes, the Tap & Go system works at the turnstiles. You tap your card or phone, and €1.50 is charged for the ride. If you make more than five trips in a day, the fare is automatically capped at €8.50 (as of 09/2026, card payment).

Does the metro go to Fiumicino Airport?

There is no direct line to the airport. The Leonardo Express train goes to Fiumicino from Termini station. It requires a separate Trenitalia ticket. The FL1 regional train operates on the Metrebus fare, but there is a surcharge for the airport section.

In short: what is worth booking

The Rome metro is simple, but it requires a couple of habits. Keep your ticket ready, validate it, and remember the last train.

If you are here for one day, get a BIT. If for a weekend, a ROMA 48H pass pays off from about the 10th trip. If you are going to the beach in Ostia, check the Metromare schedule first (as of 09/2026, Metromare schedule).

Tickets to the main monuments are convenient to browse on GetYourGuide, and a hotel near the metro can be found on Trip.com.

Rome metro: ticket for €1.50, three lines and trains until 01:30