Riding the Bus in Italy: 7 Tips For A Successful Journey

While Italy has an extensive network of trains to get tourists and locals alike from place to place, one of the best ways to get around is by bus. Within a city, bus tickets are cheap (they often cost less than 2 Euro), and many times longer rides (for example Florence-Siena) are cheaper than taking the train. The trade off for these low prices is that for tourists, or those who don’t speak Italian, timetables, bus stops, ticket purchasing, and bus travel in general can be a confusing experience. Here are my best tips for a successful journey by bus in Italy!

1. Find your bus company

There is no universal bus company in Italy. In Florence, there are several companies (SITA and ATAF) which will get you from point A to point B. Ask around or do some research to see which local bus company will be best for your needs.

2. Check the timetable

Once you’ve determined which bus company your journey will be with, its time to get planning! Check online to see if you can locate a bus schedule. If this proves difficult, the best thing to do is head to the stop itself and look at the timetable listed there. I often map out my route the day before to make sure the timing will work.

3. Purchase your tickets in advance

Most of the time in Italy, you must purchase a ticket before you hop on a bus. Bus tickets can be found at local tobacco shops, or tabaccheria, which can be identified by a blue sign with a “T” on it.

I recommend purchasing 2 tickets, your fares to and from your destination, to avoid hunting down a tabaccheria in an unfamiliar location or dealing with the stress of discovering the local shop is closed.

4. Validate On Board

DO NOT HOP ON A BUS WITHOUT VALIDATING YOUR TICKET. Or ride the bus without a ticket for that matter. This can result in a huge fine, and your once cheap bus ride could become the most expensive bus ride you’ll ever take. To validate your ticket, simply locate the colored box (often yellow) near the front of the bus and insert your ticket, arrow side in. You should hear a punching or stamping sound, which indicates that your ticket has been validated. Since bus tickets in Italy have time limits, 75 minutes for example, validating your ticket shows that your journey has begun.

5. Keep An Eye Out

Not sure exactly what your stop is? While many busses have signs or announcements proclaiming the next stop, this is not always the case. The last time I was in Rome, where busses don’t have announcements, I spent 1/2 my ride craning my neck to read the bus stop signs as we approached. If you are worried about missing your stop, ask a local or the driver for help, or keep count of how many stops you’ve made. 

6. Words to know

Tabaccheria– tobacco shop where bus tickets can be purchased

Biglietta– ticket

Prossima fermata– next stop

7. Moovit App

On a recent stay in Rome, my Airbnb host recommended the Moovit App. While I was initially skeptical of adding another app to my phone, this one proved to be a lifesaver. It has detailed information and up-to-date schedules to help you get around, and even tracks your journey’s progress on the app, letting you know when its time to get off. I highly recommend Moovit for anyone who is struggling to find timetables.

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There you have it! My best tips for getting around by bus in Italy. Do you have any tips for bus transit, or travel apps you’ve found helpful when using public transportation? Let me know in the comments!