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Rent a Scooter in Rome
Published by Jeff McCreight, Writer
Country: Italy 
The Experience
You know you want to! Alright, so you're scared of the notorious Roman traffic. Understandable—but it looks worse than it is. Bottom line: Vespas are awesome little machines, and they were built for this city. Your sightseeing trip will receive a thrill injection, and more importantly, you can take in all the sights at your own pace when you scooter around Rome.
As with a visit to any big city, Rome covers a huge area and has a whole lot to see. It's simple math to figure out that on foot you see much less. Granted, you can stop and smell the flowers while you're walking, but this argument wears thin by mid-afternoon. If you're travelling as a couple, just wait until you're both hungry and tired, stuck in some neighborhood with no restaurants. About five minutes into the bickering you'll be searching your pockets for that scooter rental address.
Renting a scooter in Rome means you don't need to learn about bus schedules in another language, waste time waiting for a train, taxis, etc. You can go to some far-flung neighborhood for lunch, and then continue on with your day.
In Rome, a visit to Vatican City usually turns into a full day trip, as it's a distance from the centre. The abiding rule of Roman traffic is first come first serve. If you get there first, even by a centimetre, you win by default since others can no longer pass, and they will fall back. Speed, lanes, traffic lights... none of these things are relevant. So now you know. See? Rome scooters aren't too complicated.
Yes, you should be a confident driver to attempt driving in any big city, but we're not talking about navigating the Death Star trench here. If you can maintain a straight trajectory, make confident turns and lane changes, the rest of the traffic will flow along with you no problem. Though intersections seem chaotic, you see very few actual collisions. If you don't know where you are supposed to drive, park, etc., just look for the other billion Vespas that will undoubtedly be all around you; and do what they do.
There will probably be a stressful moment or two when you're deciding which lane to be in or whatever, but compare this to the stress of being lost and tired without transportation, and the choice for renting a scooter in Rome is clear. Now you can see what you want in the order you want and pay more respect to whimsy. You don't have to over-plan your day trips or get upset about missing something the first time around. You can also consider zipping to the beach or some of the small ancient sites just outside of town that most tourists don't get to.
There are companies all over Rome who offer scooter and bike rental. There are several good ones right near the central train station. You will need a driving license and a credit card. Note: debit cards are not accepted as they don't tend to guarantee the return of the bike. Scooter rental prices in Rome are around 30 euros for a 24-hour period, with deals for all week or over the weekend. It's a very simple transaction, and then you're out on the via. Practice your scooter skills on some side streets first, and then go for it. If you're riding double, the back seat passenger can be navigator.
Another option for budget travellers, or those less speed-inclined, is bicycle rental. Also a huge help in getting around, bikes are a bit lower stress, and can be rented for about 10 euros a day.
As with a visit to any big city, Rome covers a huge area and has a whole lot to see. It's simple math to figure out that on foot you see much less. Granted, you can stop and smell the flowers while you're walking, but this argument wears thin by mid-afternoon. If you're travelling as a couple, just wait until you're both hungry and tired, stuck in some neighborhood with no restaurants. About five minutes into the bickering you'll be searching your pockets for that scooter rental address.
Renting a scooter in Rome means you don't need to learn about bus schedules in another language, waste time waiting for a train, taxis, etc. You can go to some far-flung neighborhood for lunch, and then continue on with your day.
In Rome, a visit to Vatican City usually turns into a full day trip, as it's a distance from the centre. The abiding rule of Roman traffic is first come first serve. If you get there first, even by a centimetre, you win by default since others can no longer pass, and they will fall back. Speed, lanes, traffic lights... none of these things are relevant. So now you know. See? Rome scooters aren't too complicated.
Yes, you should be a confident driver to attempt driving in any big city, but we're not talking about navigating the Death Star trench here. If you can maintain a straight trajectory, make confident turns and lane changes, the rest of the traffic will flow along with you no problem. Though intersections seem chaotic, you see very few actual collisions. If you don't know where you are supposed to drive, park, etc., just look for the other billion Vespas that will undoubtedly be all around you; and do what they do.
There will probably be a stressful moment or two when you're deciding which lane to be in or whatever, but compare this to the stress of being lost and tired without transportation, and the choice for renting a scooter in Rome is clear. Now you can see what you want in the order you want and pay more respect to whimsy. You don't have to over-plan your day trips or get upset about missing something the first time around. You can also consider zipping to the beach or some of the small ancient sites just outside of town that most tourists don't get to.
There are companies all over Rome who offer scooter and bike rental. There are several good ones right near the central train station. You will need a driving license and a credit card. Note: debit cards are not accepted as they don't tend to guarantee the return of the bike. Scooter rental prices in Rome are around 30 euros for a 24-hour period, with deals for all week or over the weekend. It's a very simple transaction, and then you're out on the via. Practice your scooter skills on some side streets first, and then go for it. If you're riding double, the back seat passenger can be navigator.
Another option for budget travellers, or those less speed-inclined, is bicycle rental. Also a huge help in getting around, bikes are a bit lower stress, and can be rented for about 10 euros a day.
When to Go to Scooter Rome
The best time to scooter Rome is during the temperate months between late summer and late fall, or in the spring. The Mediterranean climate is quite forgiving, however; so it's an option all year long.
Odds n' Ends
If you're on the fence about renting a scooter in Rome, just go ahead and do it. The scooter comes with a helmet and insurance. Most likely you'll see more, have a great time, and combine routine sightseeing with something akin to a carnival ride. You'll experience Rome from centre court like the Romans do. You'll remember the trip fondly, and this may become a habit in other European cities you visit.
Places to Stay Nearby
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Suite Della Vite is set an 18th-century building in the heart of Rome's historic centre. It is a 5-minute walk from both the Trevi Fountain ... 0 miles away
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While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
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Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- 36 Hours in Rome - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
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