How to Reach Ostia Antica from Rome: Discover Ancient Ruins Like Pompeii
If I tell you I debated calling this article "Why you should run, not walk, to Ostia Antica," it should give a clear indication about my level of enthusiasm about this place.
For the people that are not familiar with Ostia Antica, it is an incredibly well-preserved ancient Roman city, often compared to Pompeii, featuring stunning mosaics, a grand theatre, and remnants of daily Roman life like baths, taverns, and apartments.
The ruins of Ostia Antica had been on my list for quite a while now and last week I finally got a chance to visit. In this blog post, I will share how to get to Ostia Antica from Rome (budget-friendly, of course!), what the ticket prices are, and the top things to see—so hopefully, you'll leave feeling inspired and excited to explore this magical place for yourself!
How to Get to Ostia Antica from Rome
Travelling to Ostia Antica from Rome is very easy and budget-friendly. In the past, I wrote an article about how to visit the beach in Ostia, and it works exactly the same way!
To travel to Ostia Antica, you can take the Rome-Lido train, also known as the Metromare. It departs from Rome’s Piramide station, which is easy to reach. Start by hopping on the regular Metro B line (the blue line) and head to Piramide station. Once there, follow the signs for the Roma-Lido train line, marked as the train heading toward Cristoforo Colombo.
As shown in the image, the train to Ostia runs every 20 minutes, so if you miss one, no stress! Another will be along shortly.
Since the Metromare is an extension of Rome’s metro system, the tickets work the same way as the rest of the city’s public transport. For example, if you have a 24-hour Rome pass, there’s no need to buy an extra ticket—you’re good to go! The journey to Ostia Antica is also pretty short and takes less than 30 minutes.
Now, for your stop: there is a station called Ostia Antica, and this is where you’ll get off. See? Very simple! From here, just follow the crowd—almost everyone leaving the train will be heading to Ostia Antica. There are also signs indicating where to go! You only have to walk straight for about 300 meters to arrive at the entrance of the Ostia Antica park.
Tip: If you’re not very confident using public transport in Rome, I wrote a very convenient beginner’s guide. Feel free to check it out!
Ostia Antica Tickets & Entry Info
As you can maybe see on my ticket, I went to visit Ostia Antica on the second of February, which happened to be the first Sunday of the month. On the first Sunday of every month, all state-run cultural sites in Rome, such as museums, galleries, archaeological sites, and monuments, are completely free to visit! This is one of my top tips for exploring cultural sites in Rome—taking advantage of the free Sunday is always a great idea!
If you're not able to visit on a free Sunday, a regular ticket to Ostia Antica costs €18 for adults. EU citizens between 18 and 25 years old pay a reduced fee of just €2! Audio guides are also available for both longer and shorter routes through the park. For more information or to book your tickets online, simply click this link to visit the official webpage!
The park of Ostia Antica is open from Tuesday to Sunday, starting at 8:30 in the morning. Closing times vary depending on the season, ranging from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Please note that the ticket desk closes one hour before the park's closing time.
Top Things to See in Ostia Antica: Must-Visit Ruins
Now that we’ve covered the practical stuff, it’s time to talk about what to see in Ostia Antica, aka the fun stuff! I already mentioned a bit in the introduction, but Ostia was the harbour city of ancient Rome and is famous for its well-preserved mosaics, frescoes, and ruins. Walking around this archaeological park gives you a glimpse into life in a busy Roman town 2,000 years ago. Some important and impressive parts of the park include the theatre (you can even climb the stairs!), the Baths of Neptune, the Capitolium, and the Forum.
I didn’t know much about the park before I visited, and I was wondering if I’d need an audio guide (I’m not really a fan). As it turned out, there are information signs with explanations and history everywhere, in both Italian and English, which is something I really appreciated!
The park of Ostia Antica is really big, and walking from one side to the other (without exploring anything) would already take you about 30-40 minutes. Beware clumsy people: the cobblestones are really cobblestoning hard in this park. I consider myself medium-sized clumsy and almost broke my neck twice, so here’s a warning—wear comfortable shoes and watch where you’re walking, deal?
Another tip: as indicated on their official website, each winter, some of Ostia’s most delicate mosaics are covered to protect them from the weather, temperature changes, and humidity. The mosaics are wrapped in delta-lite cloths, which help prevent moisture and moss damage. When spring arrives, the mosaics are uncovered again for everyone to enjoy. Just keep this in mind when visiting, so you don’t arrive disappointed 😊. Even when the mosaics are covered (like when I visited), the park is so big that there’s more than enough beauty to admire!
Tip: If you want to read more about the history of Ostia Antica or specific monuments I would love to refer you to the official website!
I’ve read that Ostia Antica is often compared to Pompeii (but with fewer crowds and a lower price tag!) because everything is so incredibly well-preserved. Honestly, I agree—walking through all the ruins is truly special and gives a real sense of what an ancient Roman city was like! I didn’t expect to be allowed to walk so freely through the park, but you can wander through the remnants and buildings, and it’s such an impressive and cool experience!
Conclusion: Why You Should Visit Ostia Antica
In my opinion, a visit to Ostia Antica is the perfect day trip from Rome. It’s budget-friendly, easy to reach, and filled with rich cultural history. The park is so vast that I didn’t even mention half of it, like the museum attached to the site, which is definitely worth a visit! You can easily spend several hours or even an entire day exploring Ostia Antica. Just make sure, as always, to wear comfortable shoes!
I hope this article has inspired you to explore the beautiful Ostia Antica, and I’d love to hear about your adventures there!
Big hug,
Juliëtte
