The Rome Golf Cart TourRome: Appian Way Golf Cart Tour with Roman Catacombs Entry review
What the day is like
You meet south of the centro on the Via Appia Antica, the ancient Roman road lined with basalt paving stones, tomb ruins and aqueduct views. This is a regional park, quieter than the historic centre. The guide briefs you on how to operate the cart, then leads the group in a slow-speed convoy along the Appian Way, narrating the sights as you drive. You pilot the cart yourself — it’s the one tour where you hold the wheel. The group stops at key points: tombs, the aqueduct remains, and then you park and walk down into an underground catacomb section with a guide. The catacombs are cool year-round and genuinely atmospheric. After the underground tour, you drive back along the road and the tour ends. About 2.5 hours total. Leo and Amber are named guides; Amber drew specific praise for "explaining building materials, roads, cisterns and the apostles Peter and Paul." One honest negative: a reviewer "had hoped for more of the Appian Way" than the route covered. Still, the 4.9 rating with 624 reviews is the highest in the lineup. The carts are open-sided and can feel windy on the road. No guide is driving you — you’re in control, which some travellers love and some find nerve-wracking. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for non-EU visitors to drive legally in Italy.
What works
- Highest rating in the Rome cart lineup: 4.9 from 624 reviews
- Only tour where you drive the cart yourself — unique experience
- Catacombs entry is included — the only included admission across all products
- The Via Appia is quieter and more atmospheric than the centro
- Basalt paving, tomb ruins, aqueduct views — genuine ancient-road feel
- Small groups, 2–4 per cart
- Self-drive appeals to photographers and adventurous travellers
Worth knowing
- Requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) for non-EU visitors
- You drive the cart — not ideal if you’re uncomfortable behind the wheel
- Route covers a portion of the Appian Way, not the entire ancient road
- Open-sided cart is windy on the road
- The catacombs visit is underground and cool — bring a jacket in winter
Who it’s for
Photographers, history buffs who want to see Roman ruins beyond the guidebook, and anyone curious about driving a cart. The Appian Way is quieter and more atmospheric than the tourist-packed centro. If you want to drive yourself and see catacombs, this is the only option. The IDP requirement means it suits mainly non-EU visitors; EU visitors can drive on their national licence.
Who might want something else
If you want to see the centre (Colosseum, Trevi, Pantheon), not the outskirts, try the gelato tour ($45) or City Highlights ($72). If you want a driver in control, the private driver cart ($77) is a match. If you don’t have an IDP and can’t drive, the self-drive component won’t work for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Yes, non-EU visitors need an IDP to drive legally in Italy. EU residents can drive on their national driving licence. The tour guides verify this when you arrive.
What if I’ve never driven a golf cart before?
The guides give you a full safety brief and the carts are slow and forgiving. They’re designed for this — but if you’re really uncomfortable, ask the guide if a co-pilot can drive instead.
Are the catacombs scary?
They’re cool, underground, and genuinely atmospheric, but the guide stays with you and the space is lit. It’s not a dark maze — you walk a guided section. Bring a jacket; it’s cold year-round.