Rome Travel Forum

HI VT'ers! We have am to fly into Ciampino on Feb 1 at 16:05 and then fly out Feb 5 at 10:00.

We have such a short time in Rome and such a tight budget and being this is our first time there I was hoping for some suggested itineraries (please include transportation info). From coming out of the airport, to where to stay that is cheap (must have private restroom--no hostel with shared), and what sights to see that are 1)easy to get to and 2) cheap or free.

Thanks so much !!!!

All the piazze in Rome are free and full of people watching. Most churches are also free.

You can see the exterior of the colliseum and the roman forum are also free. Rome is very accessible by foot and if you need to take the metro (subway) or bus, you need to purchase tickets at tabac shops or metro stations.

Your airline might operate a shuttlebus to the center of Rome.

For hotels, check out venere.com.

Thank you! Is it easy to get from the airport to downtown (where the hotels are?) And do you think I need to pre-book the hotel or just get one when I get there?

I always like having the assurance that there is a room waiting for me when I arrive. I wouldn't want to spend the precious time in Rome looking for a hotel room when I could be out experiencing the eternal city.

I never arrived through Ciampino so I don't know how long it takes to arrive to the city center. Maybe some other members can send some advice on that.

OOOOPS I meant ROme Feb1-5 SORRY! Not that it matters too much, but I have 3 1/2 days--not two. 5-7 is when I am in London.

Judy is right that Rome is a city for walking. However, you can look at the website for Rome's public transportation system at www.atac.roma.it (look for the Union Jack for the English pages). There are passes that may or may not be of interest to you.

Judy is also right that there is much to see for "free". While many of the outdoor sites are open and free to enter, there are also passes that will get you into multiple museums at a discount - see http://www.rome.info/museums/cards/

For tranportation from Ciampino, look at the airport's website at www.adr.it - however, you should also look at the Rome pages of VTers ciambella and lacristina, one or both of whom give detailed instructions on this subject.

There are may possibilities for housing, not all of whom are cheap (some people say "not any" ;-) ). However, there are many tips here on VT; I encourage to look at the Rome pages for housing tips. When I was student, I would just show up in an Italian city and find someplace to stay...but, I was traveling off season and didn't really care where I stayed. As an alleged "adult", I find that I agree with Judy that it's better to take care of these things in advance, since I am pickier about my accomodations.

As for suggested itineraries, that is a very open-ended question. How about looking at various Rome pages for suggested itineraries and coming back to us with questions?

Bill

Thanks Bill, it's nice to be right!!

For a great rate at a nice, clean hotel in a safe location try the Hotel Panda which is near the Spanish Steps. They have a great website and you can see if this is for you. My quote for an April inquiry was Euro 98 for private bath (double). For February and fairly last minute, I'd think they'd be less. They were very kind on email and gave me lots of suggestions and information. The name is strange but the people seem to be great!

www.hotelpanda.it

Two others that I came across that might suit you and were in great locations with good amenities were:

Hotel Parlamento - dead centre of town not far from Trevi Fountain, quoted me
Euro 125-136 for April.
www.hotelparlamento.it

Hotel Smeraldo - just off Campo de' Fiori and near Piazza Navona, quoted me Euro 125 - 140 for April (125 is the Rick Steves rate - get his guidebook and select a hotel he recommends and they offer discounted rates -worth it!!) But for February and short term, I'd get a regular quote first and then the Rick Steves rate if it's above 125.

www.smeraldoroma.com

All have good reviews on TripAdvisor.com along with photos - check them out!

LL

I am no help whatsoever in getting from the airport to the hotel as we dropped a bundle doing so ourselves.

There is so much to see and do on foot. I would definitely recommend St. Peter's Basilica. You can go in for free, but you can't have on shorts or a sleeveless shirt while you do so.

Really, walking through Rome on foot you can't go wrong. Steer clear of Ristorantes if you are on a budget and eat at Trattorias instead. The food is excellent and much less expensive. Plus, any eating establishments very close to tourist attractions are usually much more expensive. Head down a few sidestreets and find some excellent places to eat.

After looking at the member page Ciambella (per Bill’s advice) Schiaffini seems to be the best way to get to the Termini from the airport.

Also with Bill’s advice, I did some research and came back with questions  So here we go:
I have found several options for a place to stay:
Prices I found are in Euros, 4 nights and two people, private room w/ bathroom

Vesta Residence Via Circ. Nomentana 251 Total cost 158 euros
Italy Inn Via dei Capocci 37 Total cost 172 Euros
3 Downtown Rooms Via Montebello, 17 #4a, Total cost 196 Euros
Or if we share a bathroom total cost 152 Euros
Hotel Scott House - Via Gioberti 30 Total Cost 252 Euros
Aberdeen 320 Euros total price!
All are claim to be near Termini. I have read reviews—all are OK.

Recommended by LL is the Hotel Panda, and the pricing there total for 4 days (from what I can make of their site) is 260 euros, but we would have to share a bath. Is it worth extra to be near the Spanish Steps as this hotel is?

Activity ideas so far:

First day: Rome’s Piazza Venezia (I have read that the buses 64, 170 come from the Termini). From what I see online there are many things to see and do within walking distance. Is there enough within walking distance to spend a day here? And is it a good use of a day?

I was thinking to take the Archeobus the 2nd day and then we will have to decide which of the following are best to get off and see:
07 Parco Reg. dell'Appia Antica 07a Parco Appia Antica 08 Parco della Caffarella 08a Regillus-Lays of Ancient Rome 09 Catacombe di S. Callisto 09a Catacomba di Domitilla 10 Catacombe di S. Sebastiano 11 Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella 12 VILLA DEI QUINTILI 12a Quintili-Commodus
13 Aqua Claudia 13a Frontinus on the Aqueducts 13b Aqueducts-Monographs 13c Aquaeductus (Smigra)

I really want to see a catacombe but I have heard that it is hard to schedule to get in them. Any suggestions? And should I schedule that separate from the day on the Archeobus or will I have enough time on that?

I read on VT that if you go to the Palatine and pay to get in you can also get in the Colosseum on the same ticket. That along with the Roman Forum would this be a good use of a day? And then I would ask: have I missed anything that is not to expensive that we just HAVE to see? I know I didn’t mention the Vatican—I figure that is an entire day and I don’t have much time to play with, so maybe this time I should skip it.

During the itineraries I have outlined will I be anywhere near the church of San Silvestro in Capite or Capuchin Crypt?

To wrap this up I must not leave out the fact that we have to relax at some point during this time and soak up some of the local charm. Preferably while drinking something with alcohol in it and associating with locals without spending too much money (I know this isn’t a cheap place to visit—that is becoming crystal clear). Also keep in mind that although I have read numerous tips of inexpensive places to eat I have no where they are in relation to where we are going! Any suggestions of a nook that is somewhere related to the routes I have described where we can relax, drink and people watch would be appreciated.

Feel free to please comment on any part of the info I have outlined above—I am making a cut and paste notebook to take with us and hopefully we will make the best of this trip and have a great time!

Sharla - Did you email the hotels to get a direct quote from them, or did you just go by the chart on the website? I found that the information on the websites was just a guideline and I received much better quoted rates when I emailed them for information. They can also clarify if they have the private bath rooms available for you.

If you did not email them directly, do this right away. All of the ones I emailed answered within 24 hours and the Hotel Panda did so within a few hours. On the website will be an email address to contact them. A tip: if they quote a rate just above what you were hoping for, answer back that you were hoping for XX Euro and sometimes they will agree to the price you want.

Give it a try! LL

That seems like a good idea, I went off Hostel websites to get the rates I put in above. Panda Hotel emailed me back this morning with a 88 Euro per night price. Rome Rooms (seems like a private individual) quoted 50 Euro per night for a room in an apartment...

There is this one tiny but very well kept apartment right in the heart of Rome, literally around the corner from Campo de' Fiori (less than a two-minute walk). This would be a perfect location for someone who is new to the city and doesn't have a lot of time to spend on public transportation. We stayed there once for a week when one of our friends needed our help. I have written a review on our Rome page. If there are only two of you, this is a perfect place. If there are three, it would be a bit tight (although when we stayed there, there were three of us). Normally, apartments are rent for one-week stay, but most owners have no problem with shorter term especially during low season like Feb.

My friends will stay there again (this will be her 3rd stay in the place) the 3rd week of April (shouder-to-high season), and the rate is 60 Euro per night for that period.

Yes, 60 Euro is more than the 50 Euro you found in the other apartment, and perhaps the total 40 Euro extra for the entire stay may be too much for you. However, the location is the best in the city, you will not need to spend money on bus, tram, or metro. Piazza Navona is across the street, Trastevere is across the bridge, all in walking distance. You can buy food at the markets or at Campo de' Fiori to make lunch and cook dinner.

Try to contact the owner to see about the availability. If you decide to stay there, I know you will not regret.

I haven't been on the Rome forum for a long time but I know it is always in great shape when Bill and Judy are around.

Hey, Nathalie, dove sei stata? Good to hear from you!

Bill

well it seems you have lots of sound advice already!
Not been to catacombs myself so can;t comment on that.
Yesticket for coleseum includes Palatine - that with forum is best part of the day. Also great views atop Hadrians Mausoleum and atop St Peters. Suggest a walk around the huge "typewriter" building - the Vittorio monument - good views up there. For chill out time how about a bike ride in Pincio Park - they sure look fun. For evenings do eat across the Tiber river in Trastereve area.

Great advice, thank all of you for all your fabulous advice. We have confirmed the apartment rental that was recommended by Ciambella. I think now I am much more confident in this trip! Ciao!

There are two things to know about that apartment, Sharla:

1- Be careful walking up and down the stairs. The steps on the staircase are well polished, that mean they are slippery.

2- Listen carefully to what Sergio (the owner) explain about the hot water in the bathroom so you would not find yourself having a cold shower in February.

Have fun.

Hi Bill -- We have been travelling a lot lately. We were away 1/3 of last year, and this year's plan -- just the committed part -- is already about 3 months long. We meandered actually, just went from one place to another, like a pair of hobos. I gave up on trying to catch up with pages building on VT. I think I am 3 years behind on pictures sorting.

Hope 2006 will be a wonderful year for you and yours, Bill.