I am in Messina now on a cruise. Last night I found out that due to maintenance, the railway line will be completely disrupted and we will have to take the train, take a shuttle bus, and then back on the train. The cruise line offers a shuttle bus which would probably cost as much as a taxi. I really prefer not using a bus any way. Does anyone have a taxi company that they would recommend? Thank you.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7542 posts
I can't answer your specific question, but I encourage you to find out whether the cruise line's transport (group bus or private car) will come directly to the side of the ship. If you use a taxi, you are likely to have to take the (free) port's own shuttle bus to the transport center for the port, before you can get a taxi or city bus to anywhere else.
I would also remind you that IF you took the train from Civitavecchia, you would have to go all the way to Rome, and then change trains to the FCO line, which is a return in the same general direction. (Look at Google Maps.) Civitavecchia is kind of famous for being remote from Rome. Have you met frequent cruisers on the boat who could offer other, first-hand opinions?
Naturally, flight time is a factor in the decision. I would worry about there being enough taxis lined up for the morning's boats. I'd want a booked car service if my flight were before 2PM.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23463 posts
There will be plenty of taxis available at the gate. Personally, if time is a factor, take the cruise ship shuttle to the airport. It may be more expensive but way more convenient. The shuttle bus on the rail just takes you around the work area. While it is PIA you would still have to get from Termini back to the airport. What time is your flight? We been through Civit.... on four different cruises but we always spend a night or two in Rome prior to returning. Solves the problem you are facing.
Posted by
6 posts
I would advise to take the bus. Unfortunately taxi drivers in that area have to be avoided...
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23463 posts
We have been through that area at least six times. If you are going to make that statement, then you need to back it up with something. The taxis, IMO, are fine.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4278 posts
Here's who we used. Reserved in advance and they picked us up right beside the ship. https://www.civitavecchiacabservice.com/
Posted by
OP
Faribault
222 posts
We will be staying in Fiumicino that night, so we don’t have to worry about missing a flight. I have been looking at car services now; some are booked out until the afternoon. A company that has times available is through Civitavecchiaport.org. Has anyone used them?
Posted by
Atlanta
5043 posts
If you are looking for a private car service to go from the cruise port to Fiumicino, check out romecabs.com if you have not already done so. It is a private car service despite the name, and we've always been pleased with their service.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23463 posts
....We will be staying in Fiumicino that night,... Let me suggest that you may want to re-think that. You will be kick off the ship by no later than 9am so where you go you will be there by noon. There really is nothing in or around Flumicino that could occupy you time. If you have a direct flight back to the US it will be later morning to early afternoon. So you will have a lot of time to kill in a fairly boring area. If it was us, we would catch a train from Civit to Termini as earlier as we can, book a hotel in the Termini area that is walking distance from the station and spend a pleasant afternoon and especially the evening in Rome. In the morning catch either a shared shuttle, train, or taxi to the airport. What time is your departure? If it is an early flight it would be a connecting flight to somewhere else in Europe.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7542 posts
Adding to Frank's good advice, it's a chore (even on a "ship excursion") to "see" Rome for a single day from a ship calling at Civitavecchia. The transfers just take soooo long, and the city is so big. Even if (you didn't say) the ship is spending the night before Disembarkation IN Civiitavecchia, you won't have seen much of Rome on the costly excursion!
I know it's complicated, but note also (because you mentioned train disruptions) that the train from "Rome" to Civitavecchia has at least three (I forget ... ) stops in widely separated places in ROME. Maybe some of them are still in effect?
As noted, an international airport is just an international airport. And duty-free is rarely a bargain.
Posted by
OP
Faribault
222 posts
We have been to Rome 2 times before (not on a cruise). We usually travel independently in Europe. This time we spent 2 days before our cruise in Rome. Our flight is a connecting flight at 6:00 am., which is why we chose a place in Fiumicino. They will be transporting us to the airport, too. We will be dropping off our bags tomorrow, and are considering going to Ostia Antica. Thanks to everyone for your info. We booked the car service that Allan suggested