Rome is the geographical and railway hub of central Italy, making it the perfect starting point for exploring other destinations in the country. Many travelers staying in the historic center choose to take one or more day trips. In summer, especially in July, temperatures in the city can easily exceed 35 degrees Celsius, pushing many to seek cooler alternatives on the Lazio coast, by volcanic lakes, or in the hilltop art cities of Umbria and Tuscany. However, planning these trips requires a practical understanding of the Italian transport system. Choosing the wrong mode of transport, failing to validate a ticket, or accidentally driving a rental car into a restricted traffic zone can turn a pleasant day into a source of stress and unexpected expenses. This practical guide gathers all the necessary information to travel from Rome by train or car, with details on fares, travel times, and tips to avoid the most common mistakes.
High-speed trains
To reach major Italian cities like Florence, Naples, Milan, or Venice, high-speed trains are the fastest and most comfortable option. The two railway companies operating in Italy offer high standards, with air-conditioned carriages and power sockets at every seat. Trains mainly depart from Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina stations. The former is the most central and well-connected, while the latter is often less chaotic and preferable if you are staying in the eastern part of the city.
- Frecciarossa (operated by Trenitalia): connects Rome to Florence in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, with frequent departures, often every 20 minutes during morning and late afternoon peak hours. For Naples, travel time drops to about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Prices vary depending on how far in advance you buy your ticket: a cheap fare to Florence can cost around 25 euros, while a ticket purchased on the day of departure at the base rate often exceeds 50 euros in second class. Tickets can be purchased on the official Trenitalia website, through their official smartphone app, or at self-service ticket machines in the station.
- Italo (operated by Italo Treno): is the private operator competing with Trenitalia on the same high-speed routes. These trains connect Rome with Florence, Bologna, Milan, Naples, and Turin. The Rome-Naples route takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, running roughly once an hour. Promotional fares start at around 15 euros for tickets bought several weeks in advance, while last-minute tickets can cost over 45 euros. Purchases can be made on the official Italo website, through their dedicated app, or at the assistance desks in Termini and Tiburtina stations.
- Frecciargento and Frecciabianca (operated by Trenitalia): these train categories connect Rome with destinations not served by pure high-speed lines, such as the Adriatic coast, Umbria, or certain areas of Calabria and Puglia. Travel times are longer than on the Frecciarossa, for example taking about 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach Falconara Marittima or Ancona, but they still offer a good level of comfort. Prices are generally 15% to 20% lower than Frecciarossa trains on the same route. Departures range from two to six times a day depending on the chosen destination, and tickets are available through Trenitalia sales channels.
Regional trains for day trips
When your destination is a smaller art city, a medieval village, or a seaside resort near Rome, regional trains are the cheapest and most flexible option. They do not require advance booking because fares are fixed and based on distance by the regional authority.
- Regionale Veloce (RV): this type of train only stops at main stations, ensuring shorter travel times at very low prices. It is the ideal way to reach Orvieto in Umbria or Viterbo in northern Lazio. For Orvieto, the journey from Roma Termini takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with a fixed cost of around 9 euros each way. Trains depart roughly every hour or two, depending on the time of day. Tickets can be bought online on the Trenitalia website or at automatic ticket machines in the station. Important note: before boarding regional trains, make sure to check the ticket validation and check-in procedures on the Trenitalia website.
- Regionale (R): these trains stop at every station along the line. They are useful for reaching nearby destinations like Frascati, in the Castelli Romani hills, or Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the Popes on Lake Albano. The journey to Frascati from Roma Termini takes about 30 minutes, with hourly departures and a ticket price of around 2.10 euros each way. Since these trains are mainly designed for commuters, they can be hot and crowded during peak hours in summer, particularly from 07:30 to 09:00 and from 17:00 to 19:30. Purchase channels are the same as for the Regionale Veloce.
- Leonardo Express: this is the non-stop airport shuttle train connecting Roma Termini station with Roma Fiumicino airport. The service runs daily, departing every 15 or 30 minutes depending on the time of day. For current travel times and fares for the airport connection, please refer to the official ADR website. There are no discounts for advance purchases, but children under 4 travel for free, and one child aged 4 to 12 travels free with each paying adult. Tickets can be purchased on the Trenitalia website or at ticket counters and machines in the station.
Car rental in Rome
Renting a car in Rome only makes sense if your itinerary includes visiting areas not served by the rail network, such as the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, the villages of Sabina, or the more isolated beaches of the Lazio coast. Driving in the center of Rome is not recommended due to heavy traffic, the difficulty of finding parking, and strict access restrictions. For up-to-date information on urban public transport connections and city maps, it is useful to consult the official turismoroma.it website.
- Rental offices at Roma Termini: major international companies like Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and Sixt have offices inside the station or in the immediate vicinity, such as on Via Giolitti or Via Marsala. Cars are usually parked in nearby multi-story garages. In July, at the height of the summer season, rates for an economy car start at around 45 to 70 euros per day for short-term rentals, excluding optional insurance coverage to waive the deductible. Opening hours vary by company, so we recommend checking them when booking. It is highly recommended to book several weeks in advance on the companies' official websites to ensure vehicle availability.
- Rental centers at Roma Fiumicino Airport: picking up your car at the airport is the best choice if you want to avoid driving in Rome's city traffic. Offices for companies like Locauto, Sicily by Car, and B-Rent are located in the Easy Parking multi-story car parks, which can be reached on foot from the terminals via covered pedestrian walkways. Summer prices start at around 35 to 55 euros per day for an economy car. Opening hours are longer than at the station, often from 07:00 until 23:30 or midnight, to accommodate passengers on late flights.
- Free-floating car sharing services: if you only need a car for a few hours to reach a destination just outside the city, operators like Share Now offer vehicles that can be booked and unlocked directly via a mobile app. Rates range from about 0.29 to 0.39 euros per minute, or they offer daily packages from around 50 to 60 euros that include fuel and the option to park for free in the city's blue-striped spaces. Vehicles are parked on the street within the service's coverage area.
Restricted traffic zones and highway driving
The main risk for those choosing to drive a rental car in Italy is represented by restricted traffic zones (ZTL). These are road areas in historic centers where access is prohibited for unauthorized vehicles during specific hours of the day or night. Access points are monitored by cameras linked to automatic ticketing systems.
- Identifying electronic access points: ZTL entrances are always marked by square road signs with a red circle (no entry sign) and, in most cases, by an electronic display reading "ZTL Attiva" (access prohibited) or "ZTL Non Attiva" (access allowed). Fines for unauthorized access are high and applied to every single pass under the cameras. To check the exact boundaries and operating hours of Rome's ZTL, consult the Rome Municipality portal before planning your route.
- Using parking lots outside the center: when visiting art cities or historic villages, the safest strategy is to plan to park in a lot located outside the ZTL perimeter. For example, in Florence, you can use the underground car park at Firenze Santa Maria Novella (with rates of around 3 to 4 euros per hour) located at the edge of the restricted zone, while in hilltop towns like Orvieto or Siena, there are large park-and-ride lots outside the center connected to the historic area by escalators, elevators, or funiculars.
- Highway tolls and toll booths: almost all Italian highways (autostrade) charge a toll. When entering the highway, you must take a cardboard ticket from the entry toll booth, which you then insert into the automatic machine at the exit toll booth to calculate the amount due based on the distance traveled. Exit lanes are divided by payment method: those marked with a yellow sign reading Telepass are reserved for vehicles equipped with an electronic toll device, those with a blue sign are for credit or debit card payments, and those with a white sign accept cash and coins.
Practical recommendations by travel scenario
To best plan your travel from Rome during the summer season, it is helpful to evaluate the different options based on the specific characteristics of your trip.
- If you have limited time and want to visit classic destinations: the best choice is to use high-speed trains from Trenitalia or Italo. They allow you to reach the center of Florence or Naples faster than by car, without the stress of summer traffic and searching for parking. Buy your tickets at least three weeks in advance to take advantage of discounted fares.
- If you are traveling on a budget: opt for the fast regional trains (Regionale Veloce). With fixed fares that rarely exceed 10 to 12 euros each way, you can visit art cities like Orvieto and Viterbo, or reach the beaches of Santa Marinella and Nettuno for a day at the sea. Avoid the middle of the day to escape the heat, and always remember to validate your ticket before boarding.
- If you are traveling in a group or want to explore the countryside: renting a car at Roma Termini station or Roma Fiumicino airport becomes cost-effective if the rental, fuel, and highway toll costs are split among three or four passengers. This option gives you maximum freedom of movement to explore hilltop villages and rural areas not reached by the railway, provided you pay close attention to ZTL road signs and plan your parking in advance.