Is there Uber in Rome? Yes, BUT there are Cheaper Options

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If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you might wonder if there is Uber in Rome? or Italy for that matter.

After all, this will dictate if you need a car rental, how you will get to and from the airport, and a whole bunch of other transportation-related logistics.

Yes, there is Uber in Rome and there is Uber in Italy (at least in the bigger cities), but there’s a catch. Uber works in Rome and Italy only on the expensive options like “comfort” or “XL”, but not regular Uber. This makes Uber a more expensive transportation option with surcharges, compared to a few other alternatives.

I’ve been using Rome and Milan as a hop-over hub as I’ve been traveling through Europe for the past few years. Let’s get into what I learned from the locals, other travelers, and my own travels through Rome and Italy.

My Personal Recommendation

➡️ NOTE: Planning a trip to Europe but don’t have the time to do the research? I can plan a custom itinerary for you – All you do is book it and enjoy it! ❤️

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Is there Uber in Rome?

Yes, but here are a few things you should know before opening the Rome Uber App!

✅ Firstly, Uber Rome only operates the fancy options and almost always has surcharge prices going, making it the more luxurious and expensive form of transportation.

Where the taxis are occupying the cheap and quick market, Uber Rome is niched in the nice black Mercedes with a spiffy-looking driver who blasts the good music, is likely to speak English, and has a bottle of water in the car for your refreshment.

✅ Secondly, it’s very expensive to get the correct permits to be an Uber driver in Italy, so there are fewer drivers who have the means to do it. And, of course, these fewer drivers then pass that cost down to you as the customer.

✅ Lastly, Uber is only available in the big cities, making the demand for Uber less in Italy than in most other cities in the world, therefore affecting the supply.

• A bit of that has to do with legal issues with Uber vs the Italian government & taxi companies.
• A bit of that also has to do with the high cost of getting a license to legally drive people with your personal car.
• A bit of that comes from the high prices of Uber Rome/Milan compared to other equally great options.

Uber Alternative: Airport Transfer

👉 Recommend: Welcome Transfers

It will always be about $60 with a taxi from Fiumicino Airport to Rome and about $70 with Uber for comparison. Welcome pickups cost as much as a taxi but have the advantages of a bigger, more luxurious car – so to me, it’s a no-brainer!

This is what my company used to rent when we had to travel to Rome, and it’s also what I now personally use when I don’t feel like taking the train to the city center.

BUDGET OPTION: The Leonardo Express train connects Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Roma Termini Station and costs about $20 each way. The train runs every half hour from 6:40 am – 11:40 pm and is a direct shot from the airport to the city center, taking about 30 minutes total.

Be warned, there are usually delays. One time, there was a wildfire on the tracks, delaying the trains by 2 hours.

Uber Alternative: Around Rome

1. Taxi Ride App: FREE NOW (formerly: MyTaxi) This works very similarly to the Uber App, but you’re essentially ordering a taxi.
   • The advantage is that it works in most Italian cities, whereas Uber does not.
   • The disadvantage is that you will have to download a new app and sign up.
   • Another advantage is that once you download the app, you can order a taxi and pay through the app, which will be cheaper than ordering an Uber.
     
2. Public Transportation: CityMapper App. The metro system or the bus, this app will remember your routes, update you if there are delays, and give you the fastest way to get from one point to another. CityMapper is what I use in megacities like London and Rome.
   
3. Walk: Get your steps in. Rome is a beautiful city!

PRO TIP: Do not rent a car if you are just staying in Rome, as traffic and parking are a nightmare. It’s also cheaper to rely on public transport (train, bus) or private tours/transfers if you’re only in and around Rome for a few days.

Is there Uber in Italy?

A few years back, when Uber got challenged in Italy by the taxi union and overall bureaucracy that is the Italian government – Uber in Italy was illegal. But Uber appealed and won.

So today, to the questions of “Does Rome have Uber?” and “Does Uber Italy exist?” – the answer is YES.

There are a bunch of taxi drivers who will swear up and down that it’s not legal; just know that they are just “Italian venting” and move about your day. Uber is safe, nice, and very legal in Rome – it’s just the more expensive option and not available everywhere.

Is there Lyft in Rome?

No, Lyft doesn’t operate in Rome.

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Public Transport, Taxi, or Uber in Rome?

I prefer public transportation in Rome about 70% of the time. It’s cheaper, it’s very connected, it’s always available, and mostly clean and on time.

It’s the other 30% of the time when it’s a pain in the ass to use public transport that I say say ‘fuck this’ and just order an Uber.

Mostly during the hot summer months, when navigating bus/train stops in a foreign language, or meeting an Italian-speaking taxi driver whose credit card machine doesn’t work, and you just spent your last Euros on a gelato (worth it!).

My Advice: Walk, use public transportation, or hail a taxi with FREE NOW (formerly: MyTaxi). If you’re flustered by the sun, or in a bit of a rush, grab an Uber and call it a day – not everything is about saving $1.

Public Transportation Options

✔️ Metro

• Rome’s Metro system is a quick way to navigate the city.
• Benefits: Avoids traffic congestion, frequent services during peak hours, cost-effective with day or week passes, which you can buy at the metro stations with a credit card.

✔️ Trains

• Trenitalia and Italo offer extensive rail networks connecting major cities and regions.
• Benefits: Cost-effective for long-distance travel (like getting from Rome to Florence), frequent and reliable schedules, comfortable seating with amenities like Wi-Fi and dining cars, and scenic routes that offer a glimpse of Italy’s pretty landscapes.

✔️ Buses

• ATAC in Rome and regional services like SITA and FlixBus for heading out of Rome.
• Benefits: More affordable than trains for short distances, access to remote areas not served by trains, flexible schedules – including night services in some cities.

✔️ Bike Sharing

• Services like Mobike and oBike are available in major cities.
• Benefits: Eco-friendly and healthy way to explore, affordable with pay-as-you-go pricing, gives you the flexibility to stop and explore sites at your own pace.

✔️ Vespa Rentals

• Rent a Vespa to zip around the city.
• Benefits: Navigate narrow streets and alleys with ease, experience Italy like a local, and park easily, avoiding the hassle of finding car parking.

Taxis and Private Car Services

✔️ Taxis

• Official taxis can be found at taxi stands or hailed on the street.
• Benefits: Fixed rates for common destinations like airports, licensed and regulated for safety, there is no language barrier as drivers often know basic English.

✔️ Private Car Services

• Private hire vehicles with professional drivers.
• Benefits: Luxury and comfort for a higher-end experience, fixed price agreed upon in advance, great for airport transfers, personalized service with door-to-door pickup and drop-off.

Walking Tours

Guided walking tours are fantastic to explore the city’s history and culture. There are quite a few benefits to this, and I’ve included a few that I like above:

• Gain insights from knowledgeable guides.
• Meet fellow travelers and share experiences.
• No cost of transportation and the health benefits of walking.

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How do I get Out of Rome Without Uber?
[Day Trips]

There are a couple of ways to get around Italy and even a few amazing day trips to and from Rome without the hassle of renting a car or figuring out public transportation.

PRO TIP: If you’re in Italy traveling around, make sure you have travel insurance for any incidentals. I use SafetyWing Nomad Insurance because they are really responsive, and the price point is great – about €40 a month for me.

👉 Rome Airport to Civitavecchia Port 👈

This is a common question I get because so many cruises and ferries leave from Civitavecchia, the closest port to Rome. If you’re landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), here are two practical ways to do this:

➡️ The easiest way to get from Rome Airport (FCO) to Civitavecchia Port is by Private Transfer. It takes about 1 hour. ⬅️

Another way is to use public transportation. Since there is no direct train from Rome Fiumicino Airport (or the Ciampino Airport either) to Civitavecchia Port, you will have to take the train from the airport to the city center of Rome (Roma Termini) and then change lines to get to Civitavecchia. The whole train trip will take about 2.5 hours (because nothing is on time in Italy) and cost about €15 per person.

✅ From the Rome Fiumicino Airport, take the train to Roma Termini.

Take a private transfer or do it like the locals do (scrappy and cheap) and take the Leonardo Express train to Roma Termini Station, which costs about $20 per person. The train runs every half hour from 6:40 am – 11:40 pm and is a direct shot from the airport to the city center, taking about 30 minutes total.

✅ From Roma Termini, take a local train to Civitavecchia Train Station.

Fair warning that it is a local train, so there will be a few stops. The train ride from Roma Termini Station to Civitavecchia Station is about 1.5 hours and costs about €6. I use OMIO to reserve train tickets and check schedules ahead of time, but you can also show up at the station and buy tickets at the machines & ticket desks in the station. Everything can be done in English, and credit cards are accepted.

✅ From Civitavecchia Train Station, take the shuttle bus to the port.

Once you get to the Civitavecchia train station, you can walk to the port (20 min walk) or take the local shuttle bus. The bus runs every 20 minutes, picks up at the front of the station, and costs €2 per person (pay cash on board). There will be signs and likely a line of people. The ride to the port is about 10 minutes.

Rome to the Amalfi Coast

➡️ Recommended Day Trip From Rome: Amalfi Coast & Positano

The Amalfi Coast is an ideal day trip from Rome. It will show you a different side of Italy outside of the busy bustle of Rome. I recommend the day trip above because you get a guided experience plus time to take in the gorgeous views and tastes of the Amalfi (including limoncello, granita, and a buffala mozzarella tasting.)

Rome to the Island of Capri

➡️ Recommended Day Trip: From Rome to Capri

Holy moly, I would recommend a few days on this gorgeous and a bit expensive island, but if you only have a day, there are two ways to go about it – a guided tour or brave the logistics yourself.

My recommendation is to splurge on a VIP day trip where the travel logistics are taken care of, and the tour guide is there to inform you about the history, culture, and politics of the region.

If you want to brave it on your own, here’s how:

1. Take a train to Naples and a ferry to Capri. The fast train goes from Roma Termini Central Station to Napoli Centrale Station frequently and takes about an hour (train schedule). Take a taxi from the Napoli train station to Molo Beverello in Piazza Municipio, where the fast ferries depart multiple times a day (ferry schedule) to Capri. The fast ferry takes about 1 hour. To spend a full day in Capri, I recommend leaving Rome by 8 am.
2. Spend a couple of hours visiting the island’s main attractions, including the famous Giardini di Augusto for the most stunning views of the sea and Via Krupp, Arco Naturale, Marina Piccola overlooking the famous Faraglioni rocks, and the streets of Capri.
3. Grab the last ferry from Capri back to Napoli and train to Rome.

Rome to Pompeii

If you’re a lover of ancient history, a day trip to Pompeii is a must, especially as it’s quite simple to get from Rome to Pompeii in a day. I’ve outlined ways to go about it in the link because this is one of the most popular sites to visit in Italy. Lots of things to consider, including time, budget, and personal preferences!

Rome to Florence

While Pompeii, Amalfi, and Capri are a bit more challenging because you have to switch from train to ferry to bus/car, Florence is more simple. I recommend taking the 1.5-hour train from Roma Termini station to Firenze (Florence). Grab your train tickets here for about $30 and be on your way to the city that launched the Rennaisance.

When in Florence, grab a Free Walking Tour to re-acquaint yourself with the history and lay of the land, main attractions, and general vibe of the city. Then explore, eat, drink, and be merry. I swear, Florence has so many Michelin-rated restaurants one next to the other (and not all are super expensive), it feels like everything is so well done – perfecto!

👉 Want to go on a road trip? Check out the route I made for northern Italy, and a deep dive into the Italian Dolomite mountains.

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3 Tips To NOT Get Scammed

1. Be careful of people trying to sell you a “cheap ride” from the airport to your hotel. This is an absolute ripoff and will cost you about $40-$50 PER PERSON.
   
   What’s worse, they usually partner you with other people to maximize spots in the car, and you’ll end up driving around Rome and dropping everyone off. And don’t even get me started if they lie about the price they promised at the airport versus when you get to your Airbnb. Do better than I did that one time a few years back!
   
   You’re better off taking Uber (with the surcharge) than getting in a car promising a “cheap ride”. ❤️ #lifeadvice
   
2. Don’t get into a taxi if they don’t use the meter. First of all, not using the meter is illegal. Secondly, this will be a ripoff in the end, as the driver can set their own price at the end of the ride. If you’re in this situation, you should threaten to get out and report them to the “polizei”.
   
3. Learn a few Italian phrases. Here are my favorites:
   • Yes – Si (See)
   • No – No (Noh)
   • Please – Per favore (Pehr fah-voh-reh)
   • Thank you – Grazie (Grah-tsee-eh)
   • You’re welcome – Prego (Preh-goh)
   • Where is…? – Dov’è…?
   • How much? – Quanto?
   • What the heck! – Che cavolo!

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Where to Stay In Rome

I recommend the Trastevere neighborhood because it’s more local, and it is a cute cafe/restaurant and foodie haven. While it’s still close enough to walk to the Vatican or the Colosseum, it’s not in the main tourist square, so it feels more authentically Italian.

📍 Mid-Level Option: Numa Hotel
This is like a clean, new mini-apartment rather than a hotel. The location is fantastic, there is great light in each room, and the staff is available via WhatsApp at all hours.

📍 Luxury Option: Una Hotel
I like UNAHOTELS because the vibe and decor are so light and breezy. The beds are super comfy, and there is a rooftop garden area where breakfast is served!

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Conclusion: Is There Uber In Rome? In Italy?

Yes, there is Uber in Rome and Uber in Italy, but it tends to be the more expensive option.

There are tons of transportation alternatives to ride-sharing apps. Each offers its own set of perks, whether it’s the cost savings of public buses, the flexibility of a rental car, or the scenic routes of the trains.

Public Transport

Public transportation in Italy is a convenient and cost-effective way to get around.

The rail networks, such as Trenitalia and Italo, connect major cities with speed and comfort, wifi on board, and a damn good view out the window.

For more localized travel, Rome’s Metro and various regional bus services like ATAC and SITA have extensive coverage, ensuring that even the most remote destinations are accessible.

Adding to the urban mobility are bike and scooter sharing options, like Mobike and oBike, which which is great for weaving through the bustling streets of Rome with ease. Plus, they are an eco-friendly way to explore Italy’s historic centers and hidden alleys at your own pace.

Taxis & Private Transfers

For those seeking a bit more privacy and direct service, taxis and private car services are your best bet.

Taxis in Italy are reliable, with regulated fares and widespread availability, particularly in tourist areas and transport hubs.

For a more upscale and personalized experience, you can hire private luxury vehicles with professional drivers. This also comes with the convenience of a fixed price set in advance and the comfort of door-to-door service.

Guided Tours

Guided walking tours present an immersive way to experience Italy’s rich culture – this is my go-to outside of plain old walking around.

These tours not only help you get your steps in, but are also an opportunity to see the sights at a slower pace, with insights from local experts who can share the stories and secrets of Italy’s streets.

I love walking tours because it’s also a great way to meet other like-minded travelers and discover the nuances of Italian life that are often missed when renting a taxi or a car, and going at it on your own.

Car Rentals

Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, and the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. This is ideal for visiting off-the-beaten-path destinations. While I don’t recommend it in Rome, I do like this option for getting out of Rome.

By scrapping Uber in Rome, Italy, and considering these alternatives, you can enjoy a much wider range of experiences, from the romance of a train journey through the Tuscan countryside to the thrill (and dangers) of navigating Rome’s cobbled streets on a Vespa.