There’s a regular, fast train route running across Rome that can rocket you between Rome’s major metropolitan areas at high speed and next to no cost – and almost no visitors know about it.

The FL3 train line is little known to visitors, but it connects several important parts of the city in no time at all. It flies over traffic jams, crowded buses, unreliable trams, and claustrophobic subway trains. For many journeys it is far preferable than any alternative.

The train runs around every 15 minutes – no fewer than 33 times during operating hours in fact – and connects St. Peter’s, Trastevere, Ostiense, Tuscolana, and Tiburtina (see below) – the entire journey takes just over 20 minutes, but you can pick it up at any point and in either direction. The train’s ultimate destination is Viterbo in northern Lazio.

The FL3 train is run by TrenItalia, Italy’s national rail body, which suffers much less from delays, strikes, and seems generally more reliable than the regular public transport in Rome. The large, modern double-decker trains are clean, comfortable, and air conditioned. Compare that taking a similar route by taxi, which would cost around €30 and take the best part of one hour, or by other public transport, which can be grimy, hot, and would take around 45 minutes for 50c extra.

How to do it

To get the train, go into one of the stations mentioned and buy a ticket from the machine. This will give you the time of the next connecting service and crucially the number of that train. This is in a form such as “R23123” (confusingly the name FL3 is only used for publicity and not on the timetables). Remember that number and then check the screens for the correct platform. Once the train arrives just hop on and you’ll be at your destination within minutes.

Don’t forget to validate your ticket too before you get on the train – this is done in one of the machines shown.

Note that if you hold a valid standard public transport ticket or pass, that is also applicable on this train for the stations shown and so a Trenitalia ticket is not needed.

Here’s where you can find the official timetable > >