Advice on Carrying Bags in Rome

One can never say never, but you should not have a problem. Would not have to lock your bags, but never hurts. Since you are concerned and are having to haul a baby as well as luggage, maybe consider just taking a taxi or transport from the airport directly to your hotel. There is a standard rate, 48 euro I think now, that will take you basically door to door. Sounds expensive, but consider the express costs 14 euro (I assume the baby is free) and the taxi at least 10-15 euro (just my guess) so for 20 euro you get some peace of mind and a more relaxing ride.

Use a taxi or other service that goes directly to your hotel. Yes, it will cost more in money, but will save a lot of stress and exertion, all of which you will need to take care of an infant on the road. You are already worrying about how to hold your documents and safeguard your belongings. You will need easy access to your passport while in the secure areas of the airport. I never carry all my credit and bank cards in the same wallet. As to luggage, I doubt locks add any extra security. On the street, gone is gone. With the airlines, it's just about the same so don't pack any valuables (or essential medications) in a checked bag.

I always take a few minutes at the airport to "repack" so anything I need to use is handy from then on.

You should be fine at Termini, just walk directly to the taxi queue. Just note that babies are rock stars in Italy, so try not to be distracted while you are carrying all your stuff - and your baby.

Zoe's right. Walk directly to the taxi line. Not that they're dangerous, and maybe you won't even be approached, but there are a fair amount of scammers at Termini that will come up to you with an outlandish story or just to ostensibly ask you a question. Just nod and keep going.

Last March we were at one of the ticket machines to buy our tickets to Orvieto, and an unshaven guy kept walking up into our space and trying to 'advise' us on which button to push, because we were doing it systematically & slowly, not wanting to screw up, thus we were looking every bit like the tourists we were. About the 3rd time I looked at him sternly and said loudly, 'back OFF!'. He retreated with a quick smile, leaving us to do our business. A couple days later, at Termini for another trip, I saw the same guy wandering around, so this was his 'job'.

Termini is necessary to get around Rome or to other places, and it's fine if you have the right mindset going in. I liked the vibe there, actually. I found Milano Centrale a little more chaotic, maybe a little dangerous.

Since you will literally have your hands full, consider a private car service. Yes, it will cost ten or twelve Euros more than a regular taxi, but after a long flight, some jet lag, not being familiar with the area, and having a six month old who may be cranky, there will be nothing better than having a private driver meet you inside the terminal and whisk you to your hotel. It will be well worth the extra money to not have to fend off the independent cabs, wait in the regular taxi line, or just have a "lost" feeling. We can not say enough good things about Rome Cabs. It is a private car service and not a cab company despite the name. We have used them many times and have always been very pleased. Go to romecabs.com and see what you think. We email them with a request for a quote and they answer us within 24 hours. You do have to pay cash (Euros) at the end of the trip but nothing in advance.

If I were you, in the airport I'd head to the ladies room after security, to place all financial items and passport in your money belt. Then if you are swarmed by little old ladies, children, whoever, there is nothing available to lose. So, then you have no worries. And if you have one hand free, you are less of a target. Personally, I'd prefer the train to termini as you are not likely to have a car seat in the taxi...but that's my risk management career still lingering in my brain.

Also, if there is a nice person willing to hold your baby for a minute on the plane, try to go to the airplane's bathroom just before landing.

Here's another vote for a private car from airport to hotel. You will be so thankful you did. This one is very popular here: http://www.romecabs.com/

Perhaps ask your hotel for a car service recommendation, or have them set it up for you?

Having a driver waiting to meet you and take you to the car, is in your case a wise investment, not an extravagance

After what will have been a really long flight ( from Japan?) the simpler the better when you get to FCO.

Speaking from personal experience, do something to connect the zippers of your bags. It doesn't have to be a lock. It could be a cable key ring, carabiner or even a twist tie.

If I didn't have a cable key ring on my personal item while buying tickets for the vaporetto in Venice last May, where I had checked my surroundings, I would have lost something. Within 15 seconds a distraction gang converged on me. Fortunately, I had almost all the zippers connected so they were difficult to open. The one pocket not locked because there was nothing to lock it to was opened by the thieves but it was empty.

There are videos of thieves--at the Milan train station--sneaking up on people wearing backpacks, opening them up, and taking something inside. (You can find them on Youtube.) To preven this, I connect the zippers.

Some people here will disagree with me and that is fine. I'm going to continue doing what I do because it gives me peace of mind.

Considering the baby and your luggage, I too would suggest a car service. It will be a lot easier especially if the baby starts to fuss. Just let them know you need a baby seat.

Just remember one thing -- do Not wear your money belt or neck wallet on your person through security. It will trigger a body search and luggage and backpack search for sure. You can load your money belt any way you want, but before you reach security, you will have to find a place to put it.

I put mine in my carryon luggage, in the main section not in the outside pockets. I also carry a RS Euro flight bag and have zipped it up in there. Put it in a bag going into the cabin with you. Any luggage or bag going in the cabin first goes on the conveyor belt through X-ray. You could put your money belt in your backpack (if that's the only bag going into the cabin with you) right before you place it on the conveyor belt. So your money belt will be inside the carryon or backpack as it travels on the conveyor belt to X-ray. Just do Not wear your money belt on your person through the human scanner cause you will get flagged.

Is this a carryon luggage? You can lock it using that special TSA lock. Security has to be able to unlock it if they wish to search it. You can also use the TSA lock for your backpack. I have used them through security with no problems.

Now after security you'll want to remove your money belt from your bag and place it back on your person. This is where people differ. Some recommend going to the washroom for privacy. I did that until I accidentally dropped everything in the toilet trying to fit in a tiny stall with my flight bag and carryon. I can't imagine fitting into a tiny stall with a baby. So don't go in the stall. Stay out in the sink area or little lounge area or the baby change area and put your money belt on right there where you'll have space.

The other alternative is to do what I do; although you may get a lot of flak from the readers, it works for me. Right after security I just remove my neck wallet from the bag and put it on my person right there. After security there are usually benches where people can sit. You can sit down and place your money belt on your person. That way you don't have to walk anywhere. And it'll look like you're adjusting the baby carrier or something. Can you make your money belt lighter and more flexible? Can you put your phone in your backpack or carryon bag?

And take seriously the recommendations here for a private driver from the airport to your hotel. With a baby, backpack, and luggage, you do Not want to navigate the Leonardo Express. And I think you will be a target for the hack "taxi" drivers (they are Not official taxis) who will escort you to their "cabs" (they are Not cabs) and charge you an arm and a leg. Now is Not the time to prove you can do it. Get a recommended private driver to get you, baby, backpack and luggage safely and quickly home to your lodging.

I admire your gumption. I remember traveling with infants and it is tiring.

You've gotten some great advice. Do connect the zippers on your backpack and if if you are carrying it on your suitcase right after security at the airport. Twist ties are great as they are reusable. You might leave them off key baby related pockets until just after customs on landing.

Remember that jetlag and being drunk aren't all that different. Make arrive transport as easy as possible.

Thank you everyone. I have a departure transfer reserved through Rome Cabs because my flight is in the early morning, but I didn’t originally think I’d need an arrival transfer as well. They do not have any availability for my arrival day, so I’ve booked with Rome Limousine Service. I feel I will be comfortable in the train stations on a normal basis, but not with so many bags.
Thank you again!

I use twist ties on all my zippers, even if there're nothing valuable in the bags, in the hopes that the thieves will look for another target.
Your money belt is fine for stuff you don't need immediate access.
But once you're out and about, you need to get to your money for the day. Do you plan to have a cross-body bag?
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I usually put my spare cash in the inside pocket and one credit card in the zippered pocket. I put cash for the day, a copy of my passport, and smart phone in my Travelon cross-body bag which has locks for the zippers. I leave my passport in the hotel safe.

Michelle,
No, I won’t have a cross-body bag. I have to carry my backpack diaper bag with me so I didn’t plan on having any extra things to hold onto.