Traffic in Rome: ZTL, Parking, and Useful Information
Let's be honest: when it comes to traffic, Rome does not have the best reputation. The capital city is indeed very chaotic to drive through, so we want to give you some tips on how to best approach your trip to Rome by car: where to park, how to avoid the ZTL zones, and other valuable information about mobility in the Eternal City.
How Rome's ZTL Works: Hours, Limits, and Other Important Information
The first useful piece of information we can give you if you need to drive through the capital is about Rome's limited traffic zones (ZTL) to avoid entering restricted areas and receiving hefty fines. Rome has several ZTL zones, each with its own hours and regulations:
- Historic Center, active from Monday to Saturday;
- Tridente (A1), active from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM from Monday to Friday and from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays;
- Trastevere, also active during the evening and night on Fridays and Saturdays, inactive in August;
- San Lorenzo (south of Rome Termini and the monumental Verano cemetery), active from 9:30 PM to 3:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays (including holidays) and, from May to October, also on Wednesdays and Thursdays;
- Testaccio, active from 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays;
- Nuova Fascia Verde, a new ZTL that has been extended until 2024.
For more detailed information on how Rome's ZTL works and to obtain a permit for access, transit, or parking, we recommend visiting the Roma Mobilità website. Remember that rules and hours can change, so it's always best to check the latest information. Generally, exclusively electric vehicles can access ZTLs for free after registration.
Free Parking in Rome: Where to Park
Another very common problem is finding free parking in Rome: especially near train and metro stations, available spots are scarce and quite expensive. If you want to save on parking costs, you can opt for free parking located in some peripheral areas of Rome, such as those around the Palazzo dello Sport in the EUR area. Closer to the center, a short distance from Rome Termini, the main reference points for free parking (white lines) are Piazza Vittorio and Viale dell’Università.
Another fairly convenient spot is the Trastevere station, where you can find parking with white lines; however, be careful not to enter limited traffic zones to reach it! Finally, if you have a monthly or annual Metrobus subscription, you can also use the park-and-ride facilities located near metro stations for free.
Alternatively, you can choose to drive in the late afternoon: after 7:00 PM, you can park for free on blue lines, as well as on Sundays and holidays.
