Rome Travel Forum

Hello all- We are coming in from Ciampano Airport to Termini Station via Terravision. Our B&B is right near the Forum. It will be about 9:00 at night when we get to Termini Station. What would be the best way on public transportation to our B&B? Is it walkable? Would it be a safe walk? Wrote the owner of the B&B, but our answer was in broken english and confusing. Any replies appreciated- thanks!

At that hour of the night I would suggest that you just get a cab. In Rome cabs are not overly expensive and as you will probably be hauling baggage as well, it would be far easier to get there the quickest way possible. make sure however, that you have the full address of your B&B written clearly on a piece of paper to show to the cab driver. My experience of Roman cab drivers has always been very good. No complaints at all. Enjoy your trip.

1. What would be the best way on public transportation to our B&B?
As Kate said, just take a taxi.

2. Is it walkable?
Yes, if you can handle your luggage (i.e., backpack: good, rolling luggage: bad)

3. Would it be a safe walk?
Yes. Rome is quite lively at 9:00 p.m.

Two thoughts: First, is your B&B really near the Forum? It might be, but it's more likely to be some distance away, as there aren't that many residential buildings really near the Forum. Give us the name or address, and we'll look it up.

Second, as Kate says, you're arriving after a (long?) flight into a strange country with luggage at night to an address that you don't know the location of...there are times when it doesn't pay to be cheap, and this is one of them...save your money by walking all over Rome the next several days (easy to do and fun), but don't start your trip off on the wrong foot here...and she's right, taxis aren't that expensive in Rome, especially for a short trip like this...heck, if your B&B really is near the Forum, you can take a taxi all the way from Ciampino for 30 euro for the 2 of you (fixed fare), thus saving the time and money of the Terravision bus. Count on your fingers: 30 euro and drive straight there, or 12-16 euro for the bus for the 2 of you (depends if you buy the ticket online or not, and, yes, I know that round trip is cheaper - work with me) and another 5-6 euro for the taxi from Termini...and the whole trip taking noticeably longer...just how important is saving every possible euro compared to the the B&B faster and in more comfort? Your choice...

Bill

I always become a bit disorientated walking around in a new city at night, even with a map. If I was walking I'd head down Via Nazionale towards the Forum but thats a decent walk, hard on rolling luggage and you still have to find the street when you get there.

Save yourself the aggravation and take a taxi as suggested.

I like Bill's idea of a taxi direct from Ciampino the best. It will make your entry into the Eternal City much more comfortable and enjoyable and by the looks of Bill's figures might even save you a Euro or two.

Hi and thank you for all of your responses. We do just have back packs, and I pre-booked Terravision. I was thinking cheap, as we are on a tight budget, but I think we will take your advice and splurge on a taxi, and save the walking for the next few days! Any tips on tipping taxi drivers, how much and is it customary? Thank you again!

I don't really think it is expected but I always tell them to keep the change. I make sure that the change is an amount I can afford to give.

Only tip if you want to:it isn't essential.

And even I (and I never use taxis anywhere) would suggest that you may as well get a taxi from Termini. As Bill noted, there aren't too many residential buildings around there so it will be easier to let a taxi-driver do the 'finding' rather than end up wandering for ages....

But if you are up for it (and happy about carrying your packs)then the walk is perfectly feasible (about 20 mins max from Termini to Forum area), and will be entirely safe.

If you do decide to walk, try to get a streetmap at Termini station. You'll need one anyway, and it will help enormously when trying to find your b&b (the Forum area is huge).

Hi

Ask the B&B owner the approximate price of the taxi. Here is the question in Italian:

"Per favore, puoi informarmi quanto costa il tassi per arrivare al B&B dal aeroporto Ciampino. Grazie per il aiuto."

If the reply is in Italian cut and paste it here and we'll have a go at translating it.