Vatican City (VA)

Vatican City — the Holy See — is the world's smallest independent state and the spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church.

Capital: Vatican City

Region: Europe

Language: Latin

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Unknown

Emergency: 112

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Vatican City.

Public Transport Overview

Vatican City has no internal public transport network — the entire state is walkable at 0.44 km². Residents and workers use Rome's extensive public transport network (ATAC buses, trams, metro) for all city travel. The nearest metro stations to Vatican City are Ottaviano–San Pietro (Line A, 5 min walk to St. Peter's Square) and Lepanto (Line A, 10 min walk). The Prati neighbourhood immediately surrounding Vatican City is well-served by buses on Lungotevere, Via Cola di Rienzo, and Viale delle Milizie.

Main operators:

ATAC (Rome public transport — buses, trams, metro)Roma Tre (regional rail)Trenitalia (national rail from Roma Termini and Roma Ostiense)Italo (high-speed rail)Cotral (regional buses Lazio)

🎫 Transit Passes

ATAC 100-Minute Ticket (BIT) €2.00

One metro journey + unlimited bus/tram within 100 minutes in Rome.

💡 Buy at tobacconists (tabacchi), news kiosks, ATAC machines, or the Tabnet app.

ATAC Daily Ticket (BIG) €7.00

Unlimited ATAC bus, tram, and metro travel for one calendar day in Rome.

💡 Best value for a full day of city travel.

ATAC 48-Hour Ticket €12.50

Unlimited ATAC travel for 48 hours.

💡 Good for visitors; residents typically buy monthly passes.

ATAC Monthly Pass (Metrebus Roma Mensile) €35/month (personal, with photo); €53/month (impersonal/transferable)

Unlimited ATAC bus, tram, and metro within Rome.

💡 Most Vatican workers living in Rome use monthly passes. Annual pass €250 (best value for full-year residents). Reduced rate available with ISEE (income certification). Note: CIS is a weekly card (€29), not monthly.

Taxi & Rideshare

Rome taxis are white and metered. Fixed fares apply from Fiumicino Airport (€50) and Ciampino Airport (€31) to central Rome. City starting fare €3.50; night/Sunday surcharges apply. Apps: ItTaxi, FREE NOW. Uber Black and Uber Van available but expensive compared to taxis.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

BlaBlaCar for intercity travel from Rome to other Italian cities. For local short trips, Lime and Bird e-scooters operate in the Prati area around Vatican City.

Cycling

Rome is improving its cycling infrastructure but is challenging due to cobblestones and traffic. The Tiber riverside cycle paths (Lungotevere) are the most pleasant routes. Bike sharing: RideMovi (dockless bikes across Rome). Vatican City itself has cobbled streets and is not cycling-friendly. Many Vatican workers walk or use metro Line A.

Intercity Trains

Roma Termini is the main intercity rail hub, 30 min by metro from Ottaviano. High-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains to Florence (1h30), Milan (3h), Naples (1h10). Book early on trenitalia.com or italotreno.it for best fares.

Driving

Driving within Vatican City territory is restricted to authorised vehicles (Holy See vehicles, deliveries). Vatican workers with cars park in designated Vatican or Prati parking areas. Rome ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) restrictions apply in historic centre — check stickers on your windscreen for ZTL exemption if driving a Vatican-registered vehicle. Petrol in Rome: approx. €1.70–1.85/litre (2026).

Airports

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino (FCO) — Leonardo da Vinci International, 32 km from Vatican City (Leonardo Express train from Termini, 35 min, €14; taxi fixed €50). Ciampino (CIA) — 15 km from centre, budget airline hub (Terravision or Schiaffini bus to Termini, 40 min, €6; taxi fixed €31). Vatican City's effective airport is Fiumicino for international and business travel.