We're staying 3 minutes from Piazza del Popolo in Rome. Should we arrange for Romecab to Vatican (as suggested by a friend who's been there) or should we do public transportation for the 7:30 AM Vatican tour?
There are 5 (3 kids) of us so we would need 2 taxis, and I thought it would be easier to arrange for Romecab so we'll all together.
Thank you for your help,
Cat
If you stay just 3 minutes away, I would suggest strolling there on foot. Kids need to get some of the wiggles out before such a tour.
I’m with Terri – an early morning walk through the streets of Rome is a delight. It’s an eye opener and you’ll talk about it more than any taxi ride.
You can get a get a bus or metro but both have a walking component to them.
The walk is just about a straight line and is only 2 Kms, a leisurely half hour stroll – enjoy a cappuccino and cornetto on the way.
I would guess it depends on what your kids are like. If they're all the 'up and at 'em' types and will be rarin' to go at 6:30 in the am, then definitely do the walk but I would be prepared to call a taxi if it's raining. If any of your kids is a morning 'slaggard' then you might want to just go by taxi. Also, if it's your first morning after arriving from a long flight you all may be a bit jet-lagged. Only you can know if taxi or walking will work for you. As has been stated public transport (bus or metro) will involve some walking also.
Three minutes away.. walk. Seriously.. some taxis may not even want to take you for such a short ride.. I really don't care what the kids are like ( unless we are talking babies you have to carry yourselves) why would people feel the need to prevent them from having ten minute walk?? You want to "live like a local" then do so .. by walking!
It seems you are three minutes form Piazza del Popolo, not from the Vatican, right? I would take a cab. If you leave your apartment by 7:00 you'll be fine. You can get a taxi that takes 5 people. Call 063570 from an Italian landline and ask for a taxi for 5 people. Usually takes 3-4 minutes for the cab to arrive. If this is the Pristine Sistine Tour with Walks of Italy, they meet at a little cafe and you can get cappuccino and cornetto for breakfast. Maybe leave the apartment at 6:45 to be sure.
Pat, Laurel is right the OP said they are 3 min from Piazza del Popolo, not the Vatican, I based my answer on them being a good 1/2 hour walk from the Vatican.
With children, I would save the walk for the museum's galleries. If you are staying at a hotel, you can ask the front desk to reserve a cab for you the night before. If you are renting an apartment, ask the owner to write down the taxi phone number for you.
I don't know if " 3 minutes from Piazza del Popolo" means on foot or by transit? I'm thinking you may be just a short-ish walk to a metro station? If so, just hop that to the Cipro or Ottaviano station and walk from there.
Thanks, everyone. If we're 3 minutes from the Vatican, seriously, this wouldn't be a question.
We are 3 minutes walk from Piazza del Popolo,.. so we'll do what Kathy suggested. (Yes, it's for the Walks of Italy tour!) and hop on the metro. We didn't know if the metro operates at 6:15 AM on a Friday ( we tend to be 30min-45 min'early' to things to feel secure).
Normally we prefer to walk every where, but you made an excellent point about saving the 'walking' exercise for the Vatican tour.
Thank you!
There are taxis in Rome that can accommodate your family. Ask the hotel desk to arrange one the night before.
Last I checked, the metro started running at 5:30 AM so you'll be fine. Cipro is the closer of the two stations if you're going to the museums. The kids might find the metro ride to be a fun adventure!
Bus 492 stops near Piazza del Populo and also right across the street from the Museums. I don't know where the meetup Caffè is so can't help with that.
Sorry,, read too fast.. ( and am thankful I misunderstood because I was really struggling with the concept of a taxi ride for a three minute walk, lol ) .. totally misunderstood post.
