Our booking recommendation: the golf cart tour on the Appian Way with catacomb entry, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Book this Compare options
The reference point is Porta San Sebastiano, where the Appian Way exits the Aurelian Walls. From there the road continues for kilometres south, and the right bus depends on where you want to start: from the gate, from the catacombs, from Cecilia Metella or from Parco degli Acquedotti.
If transport worries you, some tours depart directly from the centre: by golf cart from Largo Argentina, by minibus from Piramide, by e-bike from Via Labicana, near the Colosseum.
The short answer
From the Colosseum or the Circus Maximus the simplest solution is bus 118, which runs along the Appian Way and serves the visitor point and the catacombs; the 218 also reaches the visitor point. To start from Cecilia Metella take metro A to Colli Albani and then bus 660. For Parco degli Acquedotti just take metro A. By car you can only drive on part of the road, and from 19 September 2026 the first stretch is a limited traffic zone on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 am to 7 pm, except in August.
How to get to the Appian Way from the Colosseum?
With bus 118, which from the Circus Maximus and Piramide area runs along the Appian Way and stops near the visitor point and the catacombs.
From the Colosseum you can reach the Circus Maximus area in a few minutes, also by metro B (Circo Massimo stop). From there the 118 takes you past Porta San Sebastiano, along the Appian Way, to the visitor point at Via Appia Antica 58-60 and the catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano.
Alternatively, the TopBike e-bike tour starts from Via Labicana 49, just a short walk from the Colosseum, and enters the Appian Way by bike through the Aurelian Walls: the transfer becomes part of the tour.
Departure near the Colosseum, about 27 km by e-bike through Appian Way, Caffarella and the aqueducts: the transfer is already the first part of the tour.
Book thisHow to get to the Appian Way from the Trevi Fountain?
From the historic centre, it’s best to reach the Circus Maximus area or metro line B and then take bus 118. Even more convenient is the golf cart tour that departs from the Largo Argentina area.
There’s no direct line from the Trevi Fountain to the Appian Way, so you’ll need to change: from the centre to Circus Maximus or Piramide, then bus 118 along the Appian Way. For San Callisto, the ticket offer also suggests metro line A to San Giovanni and bus 218.
For those staying in the city centre, the golf cart tour on the Appian Way with catacombs is the most hassle-free option: it departs from Via Monterone 19, next to Via di Torre Argentina, passes by the Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla and Aurelian Walls, walks on the Roman basalt paving stones near Cecilia Metella’s tomb, visits a catacomb and returns near the Pantheon. It lasts 2.5 hours, in English, with a maximum of 14 people.
From the centre to the Appian Way without a bus: electric golf cart with a guide, catacomb included, and return near the Pantheon.
Book thisWhich buses go to the Appian Way?
Bus 118 travels along the Appian Way, bus 218 serves the visitor point, and bus 660 arrives from the Cecilia Metella side, departing from metro A Colli Albani.
Choose the line based on the section where you want to start.
| Transport | From where | Where it goes | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 118 | Circus Maximus and Piramide area | Along the Appian Way, visitor center and catacombs | The most useful line for the first stretch |
| Bus 218 | San Giovanni (metro A) | Appian Way visitor center | Also recommended for San Callisto |
| Bus 660 | Metro A Colli Albani | Cecilia Metella area | Ideal for starting from the section with the Roman basalt paving stones |
| Metro A | City centre, for example Termini | Giulio Agricola or Subaugusta for Parco degli Acquedotti | The aqueducts are east of the Appian Way, not on the road |
| Train | Termini | Santa Maria delle Mole | Meeting point for the walking tour, about 20 minutes |
Can you drive on the Appian Way?
Only partially. Cars are allowed on some sections, while most of the road is effectively for pedestrians and bikes. From 19 September 2026, the first section will be a limited traffic zone on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 am to 7 pm, except in August.
The experimental limited traffic zone with electronic gates covers Via Appia Antica between Via delle Mura Latine and Via Appia Pignatelli, and Via Ardeatina from Via delle Sette Chiese to Appia. It started with a 30-day pre-operational phase and replaces the old Sunday and holiday closure manned by traffic police. Public transport, bikes, tourist buses, residents, people with disabilities, workers and emergency vehicles are exempt.
On weekdays you can drive, but the road is narrow, the surface is partly ancient and parking is limited. For a tourist visit, public transport, bikes or a tour are generally more practical. The pedestrianisation of the Porta San Sebastiano - Via Appia Pignatelli section is a project in the tender phase, not yet implemented.
Can you ride a Vespa on the Appian Way?
On weekdays, scooters can travel where motor vehicles are allowed. On weekends, from 7 am to 7 pm, private scooters and motorcycles are not among the categories exempt from the new limited traffic zone.
The exemptions communicated for the limited traffic zone concern public transport, bikes, tourist buses, residents, people with disabilities, workers and emergency vehicles: private motor vehicles, including scooters, are not on the list. If you're thinking of a Vespa tour, plan it on weekdays and check the updated rules of Roma Capitale before you leave.
Also consider the road surface: on the Roman basalt paving stones, a scooter vibrates a lot and has poor grip, especially in the rain. Among the offers we use for this guide, there are no Vespa tours; for a motorised vehicle with a driver, there is the electric golf cart.
How to get to Parco degli Acquedotti?
With metro line A, getting off at Giulio Agricola or Subaugusta. The park is located east of the Appian Way, not along the road.
Parco degli Acquedotti is part of the Appia Antica Regional Park, a separate entity from the state Archaeological Park that manages Cecilia Metella and Villa dei Quintili. Here you can see the arches of the Aqua Claudia and other Roman aqueducts in a large open meadow.
Connecting the aqueducts and the Appian Way on foot in a single day is demanding. E-bike tours and the minibus tour of catacombs, Appian Way and aqueducts do it comfortably, including the aqueducts if you choose that option.
Which tour solves the transfer problem?
The golf cart departs from the Largo Argentina area and returns near the Pantheon; the minibus departs from Piramide metro; the TopBike departs near the Colosseum.
Il air-conditioned minibus tour has its meeting point at Piramide metro station, in front of Piazzale Ostiense, under a yellow sign; arrive 15 minutes early. It lasts 3.5 hours, is in English and accommodates up to 18 people. It includes a stretch of the Appian Way on foot, the exterior of Cecilia Metella, the aqueducts with the relevant option and a catacomb between San Sebastiano and Domitilla.
The e-bike tour with catacombs and food has a meeting point that varies depending on the option: check your confirmation. For choosing between the bike tour options, read the guide to cycling the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica).
Departure from Piramide in an air-conditioned minibus: Roman basalt paving stones, Cecilia Metella, aqueducts and a catacomb in 3.5 hours.
Book thisHow do you return to the city centre from the Appian Way?
With the same buses: the 118 returns towards the Circo Massimo and Piramide area, the 660 from the Cecilia Metella side goes to Colli Albani metro A.
The practical advice is to decide your destination point first. Those walking from Porta San Sebastiano south often end up near Cecilia Metella or beyond: there the 660 is the most convenient choice. Those visiting only the catacombs return with the 118.
For details on the walk and timings, read the guide to walking the Appian Way.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a metro that goes to the Appian Way?
Not along the road. Metro A serves Parco degli Acquedotti (Giulio Agricola, Subaugusta) and Colli Albani, from where bus 660 goes towards Cecilia Metella.
Which bus to take for the San Callisto catacombs?
The 118, which runs along the Appian Way, or the 218 from San Giovanni (metro A).
Is the Appian Way closed to traffic on Sundays?
From 19 September 2026 the first stretch will be an experimental limited traffic zone every Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 7 pm, except in August, with electronic access points.
Do the tours include a return to the city centre?
The golf cart tour ends near the Pantheon. For other tours, check the offer and confirmation to see where the route concludes.
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Bookable on GetYourGuide, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Appian Way by golf cart with catacomb
- Driver and guide on electric golf cart, in English, with headsets
- Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Aurelian Walls and the Appian Way
- Walk on Roman basalt paving stones at Cecilia Metella’s tomb
Catacombs, Appian Way and Aqueducts by minibus
- Expert English-speaking guide and air-conditioned minibus, group of maximum 18 people
- A stretch of the Appian Way on foot and the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella from the outside
- Entry to the San Sebastiano or Domitilla catacombs, depending on the day
Appian Way, Caffarella and Aqueducts by e-bike
About 27 km mostly off-road, from Caffarella to the Aqueducts; the guided tour of a catacomb is only included in the 6-hour version
