Please sign in to post.

Catacombs of Priscilla et al.

I made an earlier post concerning a stop we'll make at Civitavecchia on a cruise; we’ll be in port 08:00 to 20:00 hr. in the earlier post we were seeking help in deciding if to visit on our own or take a private tour. I contacted a couple of private tour providers, but have found (at least the ones I contacted) they seem to have an itinerary that doesn’t match where we want to visit. At this time we’re planning on doing this on our own (we’ve previously been to Rome thus the reason for our “limited” itinerary). We thought we’d purchase a 24 hour “Card” for transportation, take the train from Civitavecchia to Rome. At the Termini, take the Metro to the Colosseo Station to visit the Colosseum. I’ve read one can purchase admission via CoopCulture to “skip the lines” and include the Underground and Third Ring tour. This would be our first stop of the day. We’d then visit Capitol Hill/Forum/Palatine Hill. We’d then take the Metro to Repubblica to visit the Baths of Diocletian.

I need some help at this point as we’d like to then go via the Metro to the Libia Station (Line B) and walk to the Catacombs of Priscilla. I don’t know if we have ample time to do this, and the timing is made a bit more difficult as from what I can tell the walk would be about a mile in length from the Metro Station to the Catacombs; this may be problematic for my wife (and maybe me too). Would a taxi be readily available at the Libia Station?

Finally, if we do include the Catacombs, will we have ample time to get back to the Libia Station, then back to Termini, then the train back to Civitavecchia, and finally maybe a walk (?) back to the Cruise Terminal (as many others may be returning when we do)?

Posted by
2257 posts

We've been to the Catacombs of Priscilla. It's about three-fourths of a mile from the metro station, but no, I don't believe you'd necessarily find a taxi and I think maybe you need to save this sight for your next trip. I'd be very concerned about doing all that you have planned and getting back to your ship on time.

Posted by
4140 posts

Try toursbylocals.com. They can help you customize your own day. We used them off a cruise in Dublin and Edinburgh 2 summers ago. The guide met us with his car at the pier, we had emailed what we wanted to see and do. We got to everything on our list. It is kinda like über for tour guides. They were great and very reasonable.

Posted by
11613 posts

Bus from Roma Termini will get you closer to the Catacombs of Priscilla. Route numbers change, check at the info kiosk outside Termini. Tickets are sold at the newsstand inside Termini station. At the Caracombs, you will have to wait for a tour.

Posted by
62 posts

Buses getting you close to the Catacombs of Priscilla, departing from Termini: lines 92 & 310. Closest stop to the catacombs is called "Priscilla" for both lines. But I must agree with the earlier poster - there is no way you can do all of this and make it back safely to your ship. It takes a little less than an hour just to get to the entrance of the Catacombs from the hub at Rome Termini, depending on the traffic - plus you will have your visit, which is certainly not quick. And you will have to go back to the station.

I would take advantage of the ticket issued at the Baths of Diocletian, instead, and visit Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, opposite it - the visit is free with the same ticket, as the museum is part of the same network. Astounding collection of Roman sculpture and art, and you get to stay by the train station.

Posted by
768 posts

Thanks to all for the comments. It's too bad we can't get "Scotty to beam us [to the catacombs and back}. I'll check the private tour recommended to customize a visit. If we go get a private tour what are the chances we can include the "underground and Third Ring" while at the Colosseum? I read somewhere that tours add a "surcharge" of sorts to the price of admission.
Jon