Rome’s Polizia di Stato processes thousands of tourist theft reports annually, with the Colosseum area, Roma Termini station, and the infamous Bus 64 route ranking as the three most common locations for pickpocketing incidents. Understanding exactly where and how thieves operate in the Eternal City is the difference between a memorable vacation and a trip to the police station.
Having navigated Rome’s streets, buses, and metro lines extensively, I can confirm that pickpocketing here follows highly predictable patterns. The same routes, the same landmarks, and the same scam techniques repeat year after year. This guide maps every major danger zone and gives you the practical tools to travel safely. Check out our Black RFID Travel Money Belt | Hidden Travel Gear for more details.
Roma Termini: The Arrival Gauntlet
Roma Termini is Italy’s largest train station, serving over 480,000 passengers daily. It is where most visitors first arrive from Fiumicino Airport via the Leonardo Express, and pickpockets know that arriving travelers are tired, distracted, and carrying valuables.
The most dangerous areas within Termini are the ticket machines (where thieves offer unsolicited help and charge a fee or pickpocket you while demonstrating), the underground metro entrance to Line A and Line B, and the bus stops outside on Piazza dei Cinquecento.
The metro connection is particularly risky. The escalators between the main hall and the metro platform create bottleneck conditions where contact is unavoidable and you cannot control who is pressing against you.
Termini survival tips:
- Store your passport and primary cash in a travel money belt before you arrive
- Buy metro tickets from machines, not from people offering to help you
- Keep your bag in front of you at all times in the station
- Move through the station with purpose; do not stop and study your phone in crowded corridors
Bus 64: Rome’s Pickpocket Express
Bus 64 runs from Termini to Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square), passing through Piazza Venezia and Largo di Torre Argentina. It is one of Rome’s busiest bus routes and has earned the nickname “borseggiatori” (pickpocket) bus among locals.
The bus is chronically overcrowded, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM. Thieves work in groups: one creates a block at the entrance or exit, one distracts, and one reaches into bags and pockets. They often exit at the stop before yours, making pursuit difficult.
Bus 40, the express bus on a similar route, has the same problem. If possible, walk the route (it is about 30 minutes from Termini to the Vatican) or take the metro to Ottaviano station and walk from there.
The Colosseum and Roman Forum
The Colosseum area sees approximately 7 million visitors per year, creating enormous queues that can stretch for 45 minutes or longer. Standing in a slow-moving line with thousands of strangers is a pickpocket’s dream scenario.
The most common technique here is the crush move. As the crowd compresses near the entrance, a team of two or three people press against you from behind and to the sides. In the confusion, hands enter your pockets or unzip your bag. You do not notice until they have already disappeared into the crowd.
Around the Roman Forum, the approach is different. People dressed as gladiators offer photos, and while you are posing and laughing, an accomplice goes through your belongings. This is a well-known tourist trap, but it catches visitors off guard every day.
Protect yourself: Wear a money belt under your clothes and keep only a small amount of spending cash in your front pocket. Leave your passport in the hotel safe or in your money belt.
Trevi Fountain: Shoulder-to-Shoulder Danger
The Trevi Fountain attracts roughly 1,000 visitors per hour during peak season. The small Piazza di Trevi forces everyone into a tight space, and people are focused on taking photos and throwing coins rather than watching their belongings.
Pickpockets here are often well-dressed and blend with the crowd. They stand right next to you as you lean over the railing to toss your coin, and in that moment of distraction, they lift your phone or wallet. The crowd makes it nearly impossible to identify who touched you.
Visit the Trevi Fountain early morning (before 8 AM) or late evening (after 10 PM) to avoid the worst crowds. If you visit during peak hours, keep your hands on your valuables and your bag zipped and in front of you.
Trastevere at Night
Trastevere is Rome’s most popular nightlife district, centered around Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere and the surrounding medieval streets. The narrow cobblestone alleys are atmospheric but also create isolation. After midnight, when visitors have been drinking, opportunistic theft increases.
The main risks are phone snatching (someone grabs your phone from your hand as they pass on a scooter) and distraction theft at outdoor restaurant tables. Keep your phone off the table and your bag on your lap, not hanging on the back of your chair.
Metro Lines A and B
Rome’s metro is a two-line system (plus the newer Line C), and both main lines pass through tourist-heavy stations. Line A serves Spagna (Spanish Steps), Barberini (Trevi Fountain area), and Ottaviano (Vatican), while Line B serves Colosseo (Colosseum) and Termini.
The same team dynamics that operate on the Paris metro apply in Rome: blocking, bumping, and door-closing grabs. The Spagna station escalators are a known trouble spot.
The Newspaper and Cardboard Scam
This Rome-specific scam involves a group of people (often including children) surrounding you and holding newspapers or cardboard signs at chest height. While you are distracted pushing the papers away, accomplices empty your pockets underneath the visual barrier. This scam is most common around Termini, the Colosseum, and Piazza Navona.
Essential Gear for Rome
- Money belt: The single most effective anti-pickpocket tool for Rome’s crowded buses and attractions
- RFID-blocking sleeves: Italy uses widespread contactless payments, protect your cards from electronic theft
- Photocopy of passport: Carry the copy, lock the original in your hotel safe or money belt
Browse the Alpha Keeper shop for tested travel security accessories. Also read our Europe travel safety guide for continent-wide tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most pickpocketing incidents happen in Rome?
The area around Roma Termini station, the Colosseum, and Bus 64 (which runs from Termini to the Vatican) are Rome’s worst pickpocket zones. Together these three locations account for a large share of tourist theft reports filed with the Polizia di Stato.
Is Bus 64 in Rome really that dangerous?
Bus 64 is known locally as the ‘pickpocket express’ because it connects Termini to St. Peter’s Square and is always packed with tourists. Use an Alpha Keeper money belt to keep your valuables hidden on this route.
Is Trastevere safe at night?
Trastevere is one of Rome’s liveliest nightlife neighborhoods and is generally safe, but narrow streets and crowds around Piazza di Santa Maria create opportunities for opportunistic theft. Keep your phone secure and avoid displaying cash.
Should I bring a money belt to Rome?
Absolutely. Rome’s crowded buses, metro, and tourist attractions are prime pickpocket territory. An Alpha Keeper money belt worn under your shirt keeps your passport and cash completely hidden from thieves.
Are taxis in Rome safe?
Licensed white taxis from official ranks are safe. Avoid unmarked cars outside Termini and Fiumicino. Always insist the meter is running, or agree on the fixed fare (48 euros from Fiumicino to the city center) before departing.
What is the newspaper distraction scam in Rome?
A group surrounds you and holds up newspapers or cardboard signs at chest height, blocking your view. While you are focused on pushing the papers away, hands go through your pockets and bag underneath the cover.
For a broader look at keeping your money safe abroad, check our guide on how to keep money safe while traveling.