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Home / How to get /

How to get to Ostia Antica from Rome by Train?

Written by: Artur Jakucewicz

Ostia Antica from Rome by Train
Recommended tour

The journey from Rome to Ostia Antica takes 25 minutes by train. Depending on the address of your hotel, the whole trip can take 1 to 1.5 hours. In this guide, I will show you step by step what the train ride looks like starting from the Porta San Paolo station to the ticket offices of the Ostia Antica museum complex.

Ostia Antica is on the Roma-Lido suburban train line. To travel, you need to have an activated standard ticket with a duration of 100 minutes and a cost of 1.5 euros.

There are 3 ways to get to the Porta San Paolo train station:

  1. First, take the metro to Pyramiden station, blue line. In this case, follow the signs inside the station.
  2. Get to Ostiense Square by tram or bus. On Piazzale Ostiense is the famous ancient Pyramid of Caius Cestius, next to which the entrance to the station is located.
  3. Come on foot if you are staying nearby in the Aventine Hill area.

Pyramid of Gaius Cestius in the square Piazzale Ostiense in Rome

Contents

Toggle
  • The Entrance to the Train Station
  • Roma Lido Train Line
  • Entrance to the train
  • Railway Station Ostia Antica
  • Pedestrian section of the path to the archaeological complex
  • Return to Rome
  • Perfect Daily Schedule
  • Guided Visit to Ostia
  • Things to Know about the Train to Ostia Antica
    • How often do train strikes happen in the direction of Ostia Antica from Rome?
    • When is the best time to travel by train from Rome to Ostia Antica?
    • Are there alternative ways to get to Ostia Antica other than by train?

The Entrance to the Train Station

The Porta San Paolo train station’s entrance is opposite the Pyramid. You will see the inscription on the facade: “FERROVIA ELETTRICA ROMA OSTIA LIDO.”

Rome Porta San Paolo train station's entrance

Inside the station is a ticket office, which has been closed recently. However, tickets can be bought at the kiosk on the left near the entrance.

A more convenient way to instantly buy a ticket for public transport in Rome is to use TicketAppy app. You can install the application for Android or iPhone.

Inside the train station Porta San Paolo Rome

Roma Lido Train Line

The Roma Lido line passes through 13 stations:

  1. Porta S.Paolo
  2. Basilica S.Paolo
  3. Eur Magliana
  4. Tor di Valle
  5. Vitinia
  6. Casal Bernocchi Centro Giano
  7. Acilia
  8. Ostia Antica
  9. Ostia Lido Nord
  10. Ostia Lido Centro
  11. Ostia Stella Polare
  12. Castel Fusano
  13. C.Colombo

Scheme Roma Lido Train Line

Theoretically, trains have a schedule, according to which they depart approximately every 22 minutes. In practice, I advise you not to worry if the train is suddenly late for 15-30 minutes. This happens in Italy, and there is nothing extraordinary about it.

On the right wall, relative to the entrance, there is an electronic scoreboard that shows the next train departure.

  • The Bin column denotes the Platform Number—for example, 3.
  • The Destinazione column denotes Destination. In our case, it should be OSTIA-C. COLOMBO.
  • The Orario column denotes  Departure Time. For example, 09:45.

electronic scoreboard Rome Porta San Paolo train station schedule next departure

If you have an e-ticket with a QR code, you must proceed to the rightmost turnstile with the B+ emblem.

turnstile Rome Porta San Paolo train station

The board on the platform shows information about the departure of the train in Italian. The inscription “TRENO IN PARTENZA PER OSTIA – C. COLOMBO ALLE ORE 09:45” means “TRAIN DEPARTING FOR OSTIA – C. COLOMBO AT 09.45”.

platform at the train station Porta San Paolo Rome

Entrance to the train

Tip, go to the far end of the train – there will be more empty seats.

Train to Ostia Antica

Since this is a suburban train line, there are no seat reservations inside.

Inside train to Ostia Antica

It is worth knowing that trains can be crowded with passengers on weekends, during peak hours, and during the summer months, and the trip can be very uncomfortable.

If it is important for you to get to Ostia with the best possible comfort, I advise you to book a private transfer from the hotel with Rome Fiumicino Transfer Company.

There are information screens inside the train, but they are often turned off. To keep track of the train’s current position, you can look at the names of the stations when you drive up to them. Above each door is a diagram of the Roma-Lido line.

station diagram Inside train to Ostia Antica

After 25 minutes, you will be at Ostia Antica station. Just follow the other passengers, as most will likely go to the Archaeological Complex.

Railway Station Ostia Antica

train station Ostia Antica

Go down to the underground passage, go through the tunnel, climb the stairs and overcome the turnstile.

train station Ostia Antica underpass

After walking a few meters ahead, you will see a footbridge on the right and a local bar on the left.

Pedestrian section of the path to the archaeological complex

Pedestrian bridge in the direction of the archaeological complex of Ostia Antica

Optionally, you can stop at the bar (CAFFETTERIA) and drink a cup of espresso.

cafe near Ostia Antica train station

Climb up the bridge and follow the signs.

Climb up the bridge to Ostia Antica

The bridge overlooks a beautiful landscape. On the left side, you will see a football field.

view from the bridge to the road to Ostia Antica

After walking 100 meters, you will see a drinking fountain. I advise you to take water in a bottle.

drinking fountain on the road to Ostia Antica

Across the road is a restaurant-pizzeria Allo Sbarco di Enea, where you can dine on the way back.

Walk a little further, turn left, and you will see a one-story building. But first, you will see the toilet, which I advise you to visit before entering the archaeological complex.

toilets next to the archaeological site of Ostia Antica

The ticket office is located to the left of the toilet.

ticket office Ostia Antica

The ticket price starts from 12 euros, and the price may increase during exhibitions. Payment for the ticket is accepted only by credit card.

ticket price Ostia Antica

Usually, the archaeological complex of Ostia Antica opens daily at 8:30 am. Closing time depends on the season. You can check the current schedule on the official website www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/opening-hours-tickets/

Return to Rome

If you are visiting Ostia in the morning, it is a great idea to stop by a restaurant Allo Sbarco di Enea for lunch on your way back to Rome.

restaurant Allo Sbarco di Enea near Ostia Antica

It is worth knowing that the portions in this restaurant are large. We ordered one serving of pasta for two people, a serving of tiramisu, water, and 2 cups of coffee. The bill for lunch was 29,50 euros.

As I wrote above, many passengers may be on the return train.

crowd of passengers in a train on the Rome Ostia line

On the way back to Rome, I advise you to get off at Basilica S.Paolo station to visit the famous Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. You will need at least an hour to see this unique architectural complex.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome

Perfect Daily Schedule

Based on my experience, the ideal schedule for the day visiting Ostia Antica would be as follows:

  • 09:45 Departure from Porta San Paolo Station.
  • 10:30 Visit Ostia Antica complex.
  • 13:30 Lunch.
  • 15:00 Departure to Rome by train.
  • 15:45 Visit to the Basilica of San Paolo.
  • 19:00 Dinner at a restaurant in the Trastevere district.
  • 21:00 Walk to the hotel.

See also the Ultimate Guide of Trastevere Neighborhood.

Guided Visit to Ostia

For a deeper dive into Ostia’s history, consider a guided tour. Join an expert, embark on a small-group journey (max 12 people) from the Cafe Piramide in Rome, and uncover the archaeological wonders of Ostia. Train tickets and refreshment breaks are included for a seamless, insightful experience.

Ostia Antica Half Day Tour from Rome by Train

Things to Know about the Train to Ostia Antica

How often do train strikes happen in the direction of Ostia Antica from Rome?

From my experience, trains to Ostia from Rome are late, or trips are canceled several times a month. Unfortunately, this is a common practice in Italy, so it is always a good idea to have an alternative plan.

When is the best time to travel by train from Rome to Ostia Antica?

The best time of the day to visit Ostia Antica is in the morning. Arrive right at opening time, and you'll have a great schedule. Keep in mind that in Italy, lunchtime in most restaurants is fixed from 12:30 to 14:00.

Are there alternative ways to get to Ostia Antica other than by train?

An alternative way to get to Ostia from Rome is to book a private transfer in advance. I recommend a reliable transfer service provided by Sergio & Partners. The round trip cost for a company of up to 4 people will be 120 euros. You will be picked up directly from your hotel and comfortably delivered directly to the entrance to the archaeological complex. Please, send them a request in advance to book a date.

FAQ about the train to Ostia Antica local expert Artur Jakucewicz advice

If you have any questions about taking the train to Ostia Antica from Rome, feel free to write via the contact form. You can also always contact me to plan the logistics of moving around Rome to other cities in Italy.

Author: Artur Jakucewicz

Artur Jakucewicz

I have lived in Rome for over 10 years and am glad to share my experience and knowledge. I love ancient history and architecture — author of travel guides in Italy for independent travelers.

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2025.We're Kate and Artur, a duo bound by our shared fascination with the Eternal City – Rome. Our paths, driven by a mutual passion for its timeless stories and architectural marvels, converged in a way we had never imagined.

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