It’s a weird realization. You’re standing in the middle of St. Peter’s Square, surrounded by massive Bernini columns, and you suddenly remember that you aren't technically in Italy anymore. You’re in a different country. But now you need to figure out the best way to get from Vatican City to Rome to make your dinner reservation in Trastevere or catch a train at Termini.
Most people just follow the crowds. They shuffle out toward the Tiber, end up lost near Castel Sant’Angelo, and eventually pay a "tourist tax" in the form of an overpriced taxi.
Don't do that.
Navigating the border—which, honestly, is just a white line on the ground or a set of open gates—is simpler than it looks, but the geography of the walled city makes it tricky. Depending on whether you are exiting the Vatican Museums or St. Peter’s Basilica, your path back into the heart of Rome will look completely different.
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The Logistics of Leaving the World’s Smallest State
Vatican City is an enclave. It’s tiny. We’re talking 0.44 square kilometers. But because of those giant 16th-century walls, you can’t just walk "out" in any direction. There are really only two main exit points for visitors.
If you just finished staring up at the Sistine Chapel, you’ll exit through the Vatican Museums on Viale Vaticano. This puts you on the north side of the city-state. If you were just inside the Basilica, you’ll walk out through the Piazza San Pietro, which dumps you right into the Borgo neighborhood of Rome.
The walk from Vatican City to Rome's city center—specifically the area around Piazza Navona—takes about 20 to 25 minutes on foot. It’s a straight shot down the Via della Conciliazione. This massive boulevard was ordered by Mussolini, and while it’s controversial for the historic neighborhoods it destroyed, it provides the most cinematic view of the dome as you walk away.
But wait.
If your feet are screaming after four hours of looking at marble statues, walking isn't always the vibe. You've got options. Rome’s public transit is... well, it’s a bit of a chaotic mess, but it’s cheap.
Metro, Bus, or the Dreaded Taxi?
The Metro is usually the fastest bet. For the museums, you want the Ottaviano-S. Pietro station. It’s on Line A (the orange one). It’s about a seven-minute walk from the museum entrance. If you’re at the Square, it’s a bit longer, maybe ten minutes.
Pro tip: Everyone tries to get on the Metro at Ottaviano. It gets packed. Like, "can't breathe" packed.
If you want to avoid the underground sardine can, look for the #64 or #40 bus. These are legendary in Rome. The #64 is often called the "Pickpocket Express" because it connects the Vatican directly to Termini Station and passes through major tourist hubs. It’s incredibly convenient, but keep your hand on your wallet. Seriously. The #40 is the "Express" version—fewer stops, slightly more breathing room, and it’ll get you to the Largo di Torre Argentina (the cat sanctuary ruins) in about 15 minutes.
Taxis are a different story.
You’ll see a taxi stand right outside the Piazza San Pietro. These are official white Roman taxis. Do not, under any circumstances, take a ride from a guy whispering "Taxi?" near the pillars. He’s unlicensed. He will overcharge you. The official ones use a meter, though there’s a minimum starting fare that’s higher on Sundays and late at night.
What Most People Miss: The "Secret" Neighborhoods
Most travelers treat the journey from Vatican City to Rome as a chore. They just want to get to the next "big" thing. But the area immediately surrounding the Vatican, known as Prati, is actually where the locals live and eat.
If you walk north from the Museums into Prati, the vibe shifts instantly. The tourist menus disappear. You find places like Bonci Pizzarium, which many food critics (including the late Anthony Bourdain) argued serves the best pizza al taglio in the world. It’s a ten-minute walk from the Vatican walls and worlds away from the frozen lasagna sold to tourists in the Borgo.
Then there’s the Borgo itself. This is the narrow strip of streets between the Vatican and the Tiber. It’s historic. It’s where the Swiss Guard used to live. If you wander through the Borgo Pio, you’ll find small artisanal shops and fountains that most people breeze past on their way to the Metro.
Why the "Passetto" Matters
Look up at the wall connecting the Vatican to Castel Sant'Angelo. That’s the Passetto di Borgo. It’s an elevated escape route used by Popes when things got dicey. Pope Clement VII famously ran down this corridor in 1527 while the troops of Charles V were busy sacking the city.
You can’t walk on it most of the time, but following its path on the ground is the most historic way to transition from Vatican City to Rome. It leads you directly to the castle, and from there, you cross the Ponte Sant'Angelo—the bridge lined with Bernini’s angels.
Crossing that bridge is the moment you’re officially "back" in Rome’s historic center.
Common Misconceptions About the Crossing
People ask me all the time about passport control.
There isn't any.
You don't need to show your ID to walk into the Square or to walk back into Italy. The only time you’ll deal with security is if you’re actually entering the Museums or the Basilica. Once you’re done, you just walk out. It’s one of the few places on Earth where you can cross an international border while eating a gelato and no one will blink.
Another mistake? Assuming the Vatican is "central."
On a map, it looks close to everything. In reality, it’s on the west bank of the Tiber. Most of the stuff you want to see—the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum—is on the east bank.
If you’re planning your day, don't try to "pop over" to the Vatican for an hour. It’s an ordeal. Between the transit time from Vatican City to Rome and the security lines, it’s a half-day commitment at minimum.
Realities of Roman Transit in 2026
If you’re visiting now, you’ve probably noticed the construction. Rome is currently in the middle of massive infrastructure upgrades (the Jubilee preparations have left a mark). This means some bus routes are diverted, and the Metro sometimes closes early for maintenance.
Check the Moovit app or Citymapper. Google Maps is okay, but it doesn't always handle Roman bus delays in real-time.
Also, the "Rome to Vatican" train is a thing. There’s a small station called Roma San Pietro. It’s not the main Vatican station (which is for the Pope only), but it’s very close to the Square. If you are staying near Trastevere or the Ostiense neighborhood, taking the regional FL3 or FL5 train to San Pietro is way faster than the bus. It takes about 4 minutes from Trastevere.
The Cost Factor
- Walking: Free (and the best way to see the Borgo).
- Metro/Bus: €1.50 for a 100-minute ticket (BIT). You can now tap your credit card or phone directly on the turnstiles and bus readers.
- Taxi: Expect to pay €12–€20 to get to the Pantheon or Trastevere.
- Uber: In Rome, Uber is only "Uber Black" (luxury cars). It will cost you more than a taxi, usually €25+.
The Best Strategy for Your Return
Honestly? My favorite way to make the trip from Vatican City to Rome is to leave the Square, walk down Via della Conciliazione, and then hang a right into the side streets before you hit the river.
This takes you through the heart of the "real" Rome. You'll pass the Palace of Justice (the "Cozzazzaccio" or "Ugly House," as Romans call it) and end up at the Ponte Umberto I. This bridge gives you the absolute best photo op of St. Peter’s Dome in the distance.
From there, you are a five-minute walk from Piazza Navona.
You’ve avoided the Metro crowds. You’ve seen a 500-year-old escape tunnel. You’ve probably found a better coffee than anyone else in your tour group.
Actionable Steps for the Trip Back
- Check your exit point: If you're at the Museums, walk to the Ottaviano Metro. If you're at the Basilica, walk toward the river.
- Download the ATAC "Tap & Go" info: You don't need paper tickets anymore; just use your contactless card on the bus or Metro.
- Identify the white taxis: Only use the official ones at the designated stand at the edge of the Square.
- Pin Bonci Pizzarium or Gelateria dei Gracchi: These are the gold standard for food near the Vatican walls; hit them before you head back to the center.
- Look for the #40 Express bus: It’s faster and safer than the #64 for getting to the Pantheon or Termini.
The transition from the spiritual center of the Catholic Church back into the loud, buzzing streets of Rome is jarring. It’s a sensory overload. But if you know which bridge to cross and which bus to avoid, it’s one of the most beautiful walks you’ll ever take.