Rome Travel Forum

hello there,

I'm going to Rome in mid-September. Obviously i cannot "NOT" to look like a tourist since I'm an Asian and English is not my first language, any safety tips for two women traveling in Rome? and we're going to Venice from Rome should i worry the train ticket might be sold out? How many days can i buy the Amica ticket in advance?

Thanks the help

There has been a thread some 10 days ago where two 17 year old girls asked for safety tips about Rome: http://forum.virtualtourist.com/discussion-427521-1-1-Travel-0-0-Rome-discussion.html
Have a look at it - you'll find both a lot of useful tips and a lot of reassurance.

I wouldn't worry about buying the train ticket online. I've always bought my tickets while I was there usually the day before I leave. Just go to the train station and look on the departure board, find what time best suits you and buy the ticket then.
Beware of people that tell you they are the police and ask for your passports. The police would never come up to you and ask for documents without you doing anything. Also the police in Italy are always dressed in uniform and these people are not. Otherwise keep your eyes open and you'll be alright. Happy travels.

> we're going to Venice from Rome should i worry the train
> ticket might be sold out

I'd suggest to purchase the ticket upon arrival. While seating capacity is limited, there are a (couple of) dozen trains leaving Rome for Venice every day, so you'll get a seat - no worries.

Rome is a very safe place - even though I usually walk around with my boyfriend (who is roman) I always felt pretty safe, even when I was showing a female friend of mine around and we were alone. Just watch out for your purse, and everything will be fine :) there are usually a lot of policemen around - at least it's my impression - and they are used to deal with tourists.

From what I have read (not seen), it seems the area around Termini station is not the safest, at least at night - so maybe avoid booking a hotel there.

Enjoy your trip and relax :)

I usually trael alone and have visited Rome three times, with no problems whatsoever.

The Termini area is absolutely fine (and very convenient for trains/buses/Metro), although like all such areas around large European railway stations one might well feel uncomfortable there late at night. If you are likely to come back to your hotel after, say, 11pm you might prefer to get a taxi.....but that's the same in most big cities, I think.

Apart from that just use usual city common sense: don't flash cash, put your bag strap across your body, put cash/cards etc in several different pockets, leave passport/cards/spare cash in the hotel safe, watch your drinks in bars and don't venture into badly-lit, deserted areas at night. Be especially wary in crowds: opportunistic thieves always prefer crowded areas, especially those which are popular with tourists.

As for the train, just buy your tickets when you are in Rome, a couple of days beforehand if you are worried about availability. The ticket machines at Termini station have an English option, and are very easy to use. Trains only require advance booking if they are 'reservation-only'; other trains do not get sold-out. If there are no seats one simply stnds until a seat becomes available.

Look at:

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

for train times and fare information (click cart icon) in English.

Remember to validate (date-stamp) your train ticket before boarding, using the yellow machines on the platform (same with buses/trams/Metro though the machines are on board the buses and trams).

Thanks..that was very helpful.. :-) I don't have to worry that much i guess...

No more than you would when visiting any big city, honestly.

We stay near Termini in a little hotel that we feel is very safe, clean and reasonable--The Hotel Corallo on Via Palestro. There are little cafes and restaurants very close by and it is an easy walk from the station. If you buy your ticket 24 hours before departure you can reserve a seat--while not necessary I find it makes my travel more relaxing to have an assigned seat.

i can say it because i work in rome since 8 years.
Rome is sure and safe.
Obvciously rome is a big city (for european standards) and it is useful be carefull but not more than in paris or in london.
If you have some particular question....ask me without problems
for the tickets you can bought it the day you start for venice.
Ciao
Giancarlo
PS...for more informations, please, write