Do not drive into the centre of Rome. The historic centre is a ZTL watched by cameras, street parking is scarce and the sights are close to each other and to the metro. The sensible choices are three: leave the car at a park and ride on the edge of the city and take the metro, use one of the large car parks just outside the ZTL, or, if you are staying several days, leave it where you sleep and forget about it.
- € 1.00-1.20an hour on blue lines
- € 48 hours in a row on blue lines
- 06:30-18:00ZTL of the historic centre, Monday to Friday
- € 22a day at the Villa Borghese car park
Car parks, one by one
| Car park | Where | Spaces | Price | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Villa Borghese Garage or car park | Viale del Galoppatoio 33 Underground, just outside the ZTL: a tunnel leads on foot to the Spanish Steps | 1.800 | €2.60/hour, €22/day | 24 hours |
| 2. Termini Garage or car park | Via Marsala 53 Above the station: metro A and B, trains to the airport | 932 | €2.40/hour by day, €2.00 at night | 24 hours |
| 3. Mercato Trionfale Garage or car park | Via Tunisi 80 Five minutes on foot from the Vatican Museums | 740 | from €1.50/hour, €20/day | |
| 4. Anagnina Park and ride | Metro A For those arriving from the south on the A1: 25 minutes to Termini | a few euros a day | ||
| 5. Laurentina Park and ride | Metro B From the south and the coast: metro B to the Colosseum | a few euros a day | ||
| 6. Ponte Mammolo Park and ride | Metro B From the east on the A24 | a few euros a day | ||
| 7. Arco di Travertino Park and ride | Metro A Closer to the centre, on the Via Appia side | a few euros a day | ||
| 8. Magliana Park and ride | Metro B From Fiumicino and the west | a few euros a day |
Car parks on the map
Positions on the map are approximate: follow the road signs for the entrance.
The ZTL: where you cannot drive
A ZTL (zona a traffico limitato) is an area where only authorised vehicles may drive during certain hours. Cameras at each entrance read the number plate, and the fine arrives by post weeks later, also abroad and also through the car hire company, which adds its own fee. The sign is a white circle with a red border; an electronic panel below it says varco attivo (do not enter) or varco non attivo (you may enter). Satellite navigators often ignore the ZTL: trust the signs.
| Centro Storico | Mon-Fri 06:30-18:00, Sat 14:00-18:00. Night: Fri and Sat 23:00-03:00 (not in August) |
| Tridente | Mon-Fri 06:30-19:00, Sat 10:00-19:00 |
| Trastevere | Every day 06:30-10:00 except holidays. Night: Fri and Sat 21:30-03:00, also Wed and Thu from May to October |
| San Lorenzo | Night only: Fri and Sat 21:30-03:00, also Wed and Thu from May to October |
| Testaccio | Night only: Fri and Sat 23:00-03:00 |
Hours exclude public holidays unless stated. Around the centre there is also the Fascia Verde, a much larger belt closed from Monday to Saturday to the oldest and most polluting vehicles: a recent hire car is not affected. Rules for electric cars changed in 2026, and they no longer enter the central ZTL free of charge: check with Roma Mobilità before relying on an exemption.
If your hotel is inside the ZTL, write to it before you arrive: many can register your number plate for the time needed to unload.
Street parking: what the colours mean
Blue lines cost €1.00 an hour outside the ZTL and €1.20 inside it, usually from Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 19:00; Sundays and public holidays are free in most areas, and some nightlife districts also charge in the evening. Useful flat rates: €0.20 for 15 minutes and €4 for 8 hours in a row. Hybrid and electric cars park free on blue lines, but only after registering the number plate on the Roma Mobilità website. You can pay at the meter by card or coins, or with apps such as EasyPark, MooneyGo and Telepass.
- Blue lines: paid parking. Pay at the meter, entering your number plate, or with an app, and check the sign for the hours.
- White lines: free, sometimes with a time limit and a parking disc.
- Yellow lines: reserved for residents, disabled badge holders, taxis or deliveries. Never park there.
- No lines: look for signs. A tow-away symbol means the car will be removed.
Good to know
- Park and ride car parks are run by Atac at metro terminals: they are free with an annual Metrebus pass and cost little for everyone else. Most close at night, so check the closing time if you plan a late dinner.
- From 1 October 2026 a night fee of €0.80 an hour is being tested at three park and ride car parks (Conca d'Oro, Annibaliano, Jonio), and it is due to be extended.
- Fines for entering the ZTL range from about €80 to over €300.
- Near the Vatican, street parking in Prati is paid and hard to find: the Trionfale car park saves time.
- On Sundays many central streets are easier, but the ZTL of Trastevere is active every morning.
Sources
- Roma Mobilità
- SicurAUTO, strisce blu a Roma (gennaio 2026)
- SicurAUTO, ZTL di Roma (marzo 2026)
- SicurAUTO, parcheggi di scambio (settembre 2026)
- Telepass, parcheggi a Roma
Checked in November 2026