Rome's Best Travel Routes

Rome is easier to enjoy when you stay connected—whether it’s for maps, museum reservations, or calling a taxi. In today’s digital age, staying connected while traveling is more important than ever, and Rome offers a variety of ways to ensure you can communicate with ease. Upon arrival, consider purchasing a local SIM card from one of the many phone shops around the city or buy a digital eSIM in advance. Both solutions will give you access to affordable, reliable data and calls, which can be invaluable for navigation, staying in touch with loved ones, or making reservations.

It’s worth noting that public pay phones have become almost extinct in Rome, so don’t count on finding one in a pinch. Make sure your phone is charged and ready to go, and carry a portable charger if possible. For international travelers, the country code for Italy is 0039 (+39), and you’ll need to include it when making or receiving calls from abroad.

Free Wi-Fi hotspots are increasingly available throughout Rome, particularly in public squares, cafés, and tourist areas. Be on the lookout for signs that advertise free Wi-Fi or visit one of the many internet points located in the city. Many cafés will offer Wi-Fi, but don’t assume it will be free unless you buy some food—always ask before sitting down. 

Make sure to use a reliable VPN at all times while connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots. First and foremost, it secures your connection when using public Wi-Fi, which is often vulnerable to hackers. This ensures that your sensitive data—such as passwords, personal information, and banking details—remains protected from cybercriminals. Additionally, a VPN helps you bypass geo-restrictions, allowing you to access websites, streaming services, and apps that may be unavailable in the country you’re visiting. Whether you need to keep up with your favorite shows or access home country services, a VPN makes it easy.

Whether you’re using your phone to check directions, look up opening hours, or share your travel experiences, having consistent access to the internet and communication tools will make your time in Rome smoother and more enjoyable.

SIM Cards and eSIMs

Buying a local SIM card is one of the most cost-effective ways to stay online in Rome. Mobile operator shops are at Fiumicino airport and throughout the city.

• Major providers: TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, and Iliad.
• Cost: Tourist SIM packages range from €15–25, usually including 20–50 GB of data and some international minutes.
• Documents: You need your passport to register.
• Coverage: All providers have strong coverage in Rome, though Iliad is often cheaper but slightly slower.
• Documents: You’ll need a passport for registration; the process takes 5–10 minutes.

📝Local Tip: If you’re arriving at Fiumicino Airport, skip the booths right at Arrivals—they often charge extra. Buy your SIM in the city instead; prices are lower and staff are friendlier. If you want to skip the queue at mobile shops, consider buying an eSIM online before departure (providers like Saily or Airalo). You activate it with a QR code and are ready to go the moment you land.

Wi-Fi Hotspots

Free Wi-Fi in Rome is limited compared to other capitals. Make sure to be organized.

• Airports, major stations, and metro lines all offer free Wi-Fi.
• Major piazzas like Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, and Piazza del Popolo (“Wi-Fi Roma” network)
• Museums & libraries: Some offer free hotspots, but connections are often slow.
• Cafés & restaurants: Many provide Wi-Fi if you ask for the password, but don’t expect high speeds. You can usually stay as long as you eat or drink.
• Hotels & apartments: Almost always included, though speeds vary.

📝 Local Tip: If you’re relying only on Wi-Fi, download offline maps on Google Maps before leaving your hotel.

Apps You’ll Actually Use

Rome has no shortage of travel apps, but only a few are genuinely useful for visitors.

• ATAC Roma → Official public transport app. Check metro, bus, and tram times, see delays, and buy digital tickets. 
• Trenitalia / Italo → Book regional and high-speed train tickets without waiting in line. Digital QR tickets mean no need to print.
• FreeNow (ex MyTaxi) → Call official taxis without worrying about scams. Prices are the same as street hails, but safer. ⚠️
• MyCicero → Buy bus tickets and regional train tickets directly from your phone.
• Google Maps / Apple Maps → Essential for navigation, but combine with the QR-code itineraries in this guide for curated routes.
• A currency conversion app, like Xe.
• Moovit – Great alternative for public transport, especially when ATAC’s own app crashes (it happens).
• Musei in Comune Roma – Updates on exhibitions, free museum days, and events across the city’s civic museums.
• Translate / Reverso / DeepL – For quick Italian-English translations. Learn a few polite words and locals will melt.

📝 Local Tip: Romans still sometimes check bus arrival times on paper schedules at stops, but apps like ATAC Roma are far more reliable. If your phone battery dies mid-walk (and it will), metro stations like Termini, Spagna, and Ottaviano have USB charging points—discreet but lifesaving.

Staying Social (Without Getting Lost)

It’s tempting to document every gelato and every sunset, but try to set small boundaries: one upload a day, one photo album later. Rome was built for eyes, not screens. Still, if you’re posting in real time, use local hashtags like #RomaMia, #TrastevereVibes, or #RomeByFoot—you’ll discover small communities of locals who share favorite corners and events.

📝 Local Note: If you tag your location at small cafés or parks, do it after leaving—especially if you’re traveling solo. Romans are friendly, but online visibility can attract unwanted attention.

Offline Backup Plan

Technology fails—it’s Rome, after all. Keep a photo of your passport, your accommodation address, and your return ticket saved offline on your phone, and write the same details on paper in your wallet. If you lose your phone or Wi-Fi collapses, that small piece of paper becomes your lifeline.

📝 Local Note: A Roman taxi driver once told me, “Phones die. Paper never runs out of battery.” He wasn’t wrong.

• Download before you go: Install all the apps you need at home so you don’t depend on weak public Wi-Fi.
• Use dual strategy: Buy a local SIM/eSIM for mobile data and rely on Wi-Fi for heavy downloads or video calls.
• Emergency use: Even without data, European phones will still call 112, the emergency number. ⚠️