Confused on where to stay in Rome

Airport shuttles, at least free ones, are a rarity. A legal taxi is €48 euros for the two of you. Find a hotel that you like and just take a taxi from the legal taxi rank for €48. If you are more comfortable with a private transfer, those are about €50-55 for the two of you and you can reserve through www.romecabs.com.

I don't get it, you are staying in the cheapest neighbourhood of central Rome to avoid the cost of a cab from/to Termini station?
I'd get a couple of wheeled suitcases and pick a nice room in a nice area; an area where one can walk to the main attractions and enjoy walking around that open air museum called Central Rome.

Another way to travel from and to the airport is the Leonardo Express train to Termini - 14 Euros, last I looked. For accommodations, you might want to look at monasterystays.com. If in doubt about wheeled luggage, as I was at first, you could practice with it on your home turf. It really is much easier.

Cyndie, due to the distance to Fiumicino (I assume that's the airport you're flying in/out of) I don't think I've ever seen a central Rome hotel which offers free transfers. If budget is the issue, take one of inexpensive, comfortable shuttle buses from Termini: tickets range from 4-6 euro PP. T.A.M., SIT. or Terravision are all about the same but SIT has a stop near the Vatican as well as Termini.

http://www.adr.it/en/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en-/pax-fco-bus

We've used these and been happy with them, even though they take a little longer than the more expensive Express train.

we will have 1 suitcase each which we don't want to have to pull 30
minutes or so to the train station

If managing your suitcases is a concern, pack as light as possible as you'll very likely be shouldering them up and down stairs SOMEWHERE: not all train stations have escalators/elevators, and many hotels don't have lifts either.

First, hotels with free shuttles are rare in Europe even near airports. But you not going to find free shuttles to hotels in downtown Chicago or New York either. Have no idea what reasonably price means to you. A reasonably price downtown hotel in Rome with bath is going to be near 150 euro and up. Hotel Sonya across from the Opera House and about three blocks from Termini meets my definition of reasonably price. We have used them several times. Have an elevator and excellent included breakfast. (Personally that is more important to be than a free shuttle). A little farther and equally good is Hotel Aberdeen. Both hotels can be easily walked to dragging some luggage. We like staying in the Termini area for the convenience to local transit, the train station, and some good restaurants. It is not the most scenic neighborhood but it is handy and very safe. The Rick Steves' Rome guidebook lists a number of good hotels in the Termini area.

Official taxis in Rome are very reasonable in cost. However, you can not wave a taxi on the street as you might in large US cities. You have to take the taxi from a taxi stand. The taxi price between the airport and central Rome is fixed at 48 euro for up to 4 people with luggage. The airport train - Leonard Express - is 14 euro from the airport to Termini. You could take the train and walk to one of the above mentioned hotels.

You should probably watch some of the Steves DVDs on Rome to get a feel for the city.

Hi Cyndie,

Most of Rome's hotels do not offer "free airport" transport. Exceptions "may be" from that of a high-end hotel that is usually near the airport. Obviously, that is not conducive to a holiday stay in the center of Rome.

If you take a taxi, look at it this way -- it is 48€ for the one ride. So, you can break it down to 24€ a piece for one way. Of course, returning to FCO would result in the same, unless your plane ride is in the very early AM hours -- a surcharge "may be" added; not sure. Best to check that out.

I traveled solo a couple of times to Rome. I chose to take a shared shuttle. For the round trip of FCO to my hotel and vice versa, it was about 50€. The second time, I was given a 5€ discount. So, for me, it broke down to about 22€ to 25€ for one ride. If I took a taxi, I would have to pay 48€ for that single ride for myself and no one to share the cost.

I was dropped off first both times since my hotel was in the Termini neighborhood. Drivers were great and very professional.

Also, those who may rent from a private owner, such as a B&B, sometimes they will send a driver -- usually the owner or family or friend.

For daily activities, the bus, metro, and walking are the ways to go in the city centre. Sometimes, you would need to cab it if a particular site is too far to walk from where you are staying.

The official Rome cab is -- https://www.romewise.com/taxi-in-rome.html Get familiar with the official logo.

Also, take a look at this too -- https://www.romewise.com/rome-transportation.html -- It shows different and cost-effective modes of transport in Rome.

Buses can be your friend. At 1,50 a BIT, sold at Tabacchi (T) or some markets/small gift shops; it is good for 100 minutes of travel around the city. I believe it also includes a transfer, say if you are going to catch another bus to go to a different part of the city.

A "pass" (Not to be confused with the Roma pass) may not be economical. You would have to do the math and figure out how many times you would need to use the bus and/or metro to make it worthy. Usually a single BIT is good. Keep a couple in your purse. They do not expire (until you validate them.) << Very important you validate your bus ticket as soon as you step on the bus. The machines are found near the driver -- usually near the first few seats up front.

Transit Inspectors have been popping up on buses more and more -- usually the more popular ones -- #64 and #40, #492 to check tickets and pass holders. If found not to have a valid ticket, you could be fined a hefty sum. Exception would be if the machine is broken -- invalid = "non valido."

Plan out your days so that you are not backtracking, if you will. For example, if you visit The Vatican, St. Peter's is right there. Also, if interested in visiting Castel Sant'Angelo ("Bridge of Angels" is a short walk from St. Peter's Square.)

Check out this 10-minute video of Rome's most visited sites to give you an idea the "proximity" of those major attractions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2VcEkPaeF4

Here are some hotels to check out that are fairly reasonable and close to Termini or the city centre. If you need an elevator, check out their amenities.

Hotel Aberdeen https://www.hotelaberdeen.it/en/

Hotel Sonya http://www.hotelsonya.it/

Hotel Contilia https://www.hotelcontilia.com/

https://www.hotelcampodefiori.com/en/ was recommended by Jay of Chicago
(He has stayed there at the hotel and at a small studio apartment.)

https://www.boutiquehoteltrevi.it/it/ ( Boutique hotel very near to Trevi Fountain) -- recommendation from Alan Folsom. Also, he suggested -- https://www.hotelsancarloroma.com/

https://www.lancelothotel.com/ is one of RS' tour hotels. I believe most people were satisfied with their stay.

Cyndie,

I would also like to expand (on my above) regarding the transportation in Rome and some cautionary safety (as with any big city.)

Many streets are pedestrianized. A bus or taxi can only go so far. They leave off passengers as close as they can to the attraction.

So, you may or will have to do a bit of walking on cobblestone streets. Some cobblestones were protruding in certain alleys as I noted. Be aware that there may be no "real" curb on sidewalks -- they could just end resulting in a trip or a twist if you are not paying attention.

What I do for safety (whether a person is younger or of a senior age), is I take a lightweight, plastic LED flashlight. It helped in a lot of areas at nightfall -- unsure footing, darkened street, perhaps a little slippery in certain Piazzas. It packed a big light. It was a good "investment" for a dollar! I found it in the camping section at Walmart.

If you or your friend have any mobility issues, perhaps consider taking a folding cane -- allowed at all airports and attractions in the city. No need to pack it in your carry on. If you do take one, just fold it, secure it to the front or top of your luggage to save space -- just an idea.

Sure you would need to be careful on widened cobblestone streets, but sometimes that "third leg" is a pain saver.

Also, there are benches to sit on -- especially at Piazza Navona. If tired or need a break, maybe grab a Panino or snack and view the gorgeous fountains, watch the world go by and maybe catch a listen to the haunting voice of the lead singer of the musicians that travel around the Piazzas.

Keep in mind about Churches for a needed break too. Sometimes that little reprieve in a quiet, hideaway Church to regroup one's thoughts or get energized is all you need to move on.

I would consider staying at a convent if I were you-Rick mentions some in his book. We stayed at the one near the Colosseum in 2008 and it was a great location and inexpensive enough to give our daughter her own room.

Be warned-the sights in Rome are really spread out and the subway is really only useful to get to Vatican and Colosseum areas-one of the stations that looked useful(Barbarini) is closed. It is cheap though-I think it was 7 euros for 24 hours.

I have been staying at the Hotel Stella in Italy for the past 15 or so years as a single female. It’s a five minute walk from Termini station. It’s clean, comfortable, safe, affordable and the staff are friendly. Basic breakfast is included and in nice weather, is served on the top floor with an outdoor patio with beautiful city views. There is free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. You can get the train right from the airport to Termini and either walk the five minutes to the hotel or take a cab If you don’t want to transport your luggage. I can highly recommend this hotel.

We arranged for transport from the airport through our hotel at Campo di Fiori and paid whatever the cost was. Couldn’t have been easier. The price was in the range quoted by Laurel.

We arranged for transport from the airport through our hotel at Campo
di Fiori and paid whatever the cost was.

Yes, that's possible but I get the impression that the OP is looking for a FREE transfer from Fiumicino to central Rome. That is not going to happen so it appears that the OP is concerned about their budget, thus the suggestion for the most economical options,

We booked a room with Hotel Aberdeen for next summer in the Termini area. The hotel emailed telling us they could provide transportation from the airport at a cost of 14 euros pp. So while not free, for two people it is less expensive than a taxi, the same as the train, but presumably takes you closer to the hotel.

that's very interesting. We're staying at the Aberdeen in May, and didn't hear of that offer

The hotel emailed telling us they could provide transportation from the airport at a cost of 14 euros pp

Isn't that the cost of the Leonardo Express? Are they giving you a train ticket or a car ride?

One time our hotel had a car meet us at FCO. We met the threshold of the number of days we were staying there for that offer. ( it was not the Aberdeen, but have stayed there and liked it)

Another vote for the Hotel Stella in Rome. It's within easy walking distance of Termini. The rooms have private bathrooms. We stayed there earlier this year. And there's a Co-op grocery nearby to pick up fruit or water bottles if you like.

https://www.hotelstellaroma.it/en/

Hi,
I just returned from Roma where we stayed at the Hotel Accademia. Nice hotel about a 10 euro taxi ride from Termini. The Hotel Accademia is literally around the corner from the Trevi Fountain. Hotel has private rooms with private baths. We paid 120 euro per night and that included a full breakfast

Have fun in Roma!
Bill.

We stayed at Hotel Canada near Termini in June. Recommend! https://www.hotelcanadaroma.com/en/ We arranged a private car to transport to and from the airport with Sergio and Partners.