London Toolkit 
Paris Toolkit How to visit the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)
By public bus, hop-on hop off sightseeing bus or tour - we show you how
Visiting the Via Appia Antica from Rome
The Via Appia Antica, also known as the Appian Way, is just to the south of the centre of Rome and well within range of Rome's excellent public bus network.
Another popular option for tourists is to take one of the various tours on offer, including one of Rome's hop on hop off sightseeing buses, Big Bus.
Public bus to the Via Appia Antica
There are several options but we would recommend the 118 bus for the first time visitor. You will see plenty of the top tourist attractions in Rome including the Colosseum, the visitor centre for the Appian Way, the Baths of Caracalla and the Catacombs.
118 bus - from the Colosseum (not Sundays) or Piazza Venezia
The 118 bus runs every day of the week at crudely 20 minute intervals during the day.
The 118 bus travels along a good length of the Via Appia Antica itself with bus stops by the main visitor centre for the Appian Way and the Catacombs of San Callisto and Catacombs of San Sebastiano.
In the centre of Rome it runs around a circular loop from Circus Maximus Metro station, down the side of Circus Maximus itself, up to Piazza Venezia and then down to the Colosseum and its Metro station before returning to Circus Maximus and onto the Via Appia Antica.
Care should be taken on a Sunday as the bus doesn't visit the Colosseum but returns to the Circus Maximus after going around Piazza Veneziia.
The 118 bus also stops outside the Baths of Caracalla, a popular place to twin with a visit to the Appia Antica a short distance from Circus Maximus.
218 Bus - From Basilica di San Giovanni / San Giovanni Metro
The 218 bus runs every day of the week at hourly intervals and terminates by a small bus station/stand in front of Basilica di San Giovanni and just along the road back into the city from San Giovanni Metro.
The 218 bus stops by the main visitor centre for the Appian Way but then forks off the Appia Antica which the 118 bus travels along.
Big Bus Rome Catacombs & Caracalla route
Big Bus are currently the only providers of a hop-on hop-off service that covers the area to the south of Rome's city centre - the ancient Appian Way.
The Purple Route of Big Bus runs daily every hour starting from Termini Station and also picking up from outside the Colosseum.
The route stops at the Baths of Caracalla on the way to Via Appia Antica and has stops at the catacombs of St Callixtus, St Sebastian and Domitilla
Admission to these attractions are not included).
You cannot purchase the Purple Route as a stand-alone ticket, it is part of the 3 day Big Bus ticket that also includes the Big Bus routes in the centre of Rome.
BIG BUS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS ROME
• Choice of 3 different fares • Free walking tours • Free Wi-Fi • Audio commentary in 9 languages • 10% online discount
Tours from Rome visiting Via Appia Antica & Catacombs
The easiest way to visit the Via Appia Antica & Catacombs is by tour.
It is a time efficient way of visiting for time poor visitors and of course the guide will keep you informed of what you are witnessing as well as making sure you don't miss any highlights.
Option 1 - Catacombs and Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) half-day walking tour
Visit the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) and visit the fascinating Catacombs of San Sebastiano or San Callisto, where you’ll walk through underground tunnels, and be wowed by the sophisticated engineering of the Roman aqueducts.
Salient points of the tour are:
-
Morning tour on Mondays, Thursdays or Saturdays
-
Coach or van between Rome city centre and the Appian Way
-
Walking tour exploring the Italian countryside and Appian Way
-
Visit to the Catacombs of San Callisto or San Sebastiano
-
Admire the mighty arches of Rome's ancient aqueducts
CATACOMBS AND ROMAN COUNTRYSIDE HALF-DAY WALKING TOUR
• Includes entrance to the Catacombs • Led by local guide • See Roman Aqueducts and ancient ruins • Runs 6 days a week • Explore the Roman countryside
Option 2 - Catacombs and Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) e-bike tour
Similar to the walking tour in option 1 but you use an electrically assisted to bike to get around.
The bikes are outfitted with a small motor that kicks in when you pedal, allowing you to cover a lot of ground with minimal effort while you enjoy the fresh air of the Roman countryside. (If you prefer a little exercise, however, standard bikes are also available.)
Similar to the walking tour in option 1 but you use an electrically assisted to bike to get around.
The bikes are outfitted with a small motor that kicks in when you pedal, allowing you to cover a lot of ground with minimal effort while you enjoy the fresh air of the Roman countryside. (If you prefer a little exercise, however, standard bikes are also available.)
Salient points of the tour are:
-
Small-group tour limited to 12 people running daily
-
Coach or van between Rome city centre and the Appian Way
-
4 or 6 hour bicycle tour along the Appian Way
-
Visit to the Catacombs of San Callisto or San Sebastiano
-
Check out the ruins and landmarks along the Appian Way
CATACOMBS AND ROMAN COUNTRYSIDE HALF-DAY E-BIKE TOUR
• Visit Appian Way on electric assist bike • Includes entrance to the Catacombs • See Roman Aqueducts and ancient ruins • Small group tour • Runs 6 days a week • 6 hour or 4.5 hour tours
Via Appia Antica self-guided walk
If you are travelling to the Appian Way independently we have put up a self-guided walk starting from the visitor centre covering the main ruins and catacombs reached by foot.
Via Appia Antica self-guided walk - full details
MOST POPULAR ROME TOURS 2024
