The owner of an apartment I am renting for four nights near the Colosseum gave me the following, obsure directions to the apartment from the airport. Of course I'll be in touch with her again, but maybe someone can explain the directions to me. Couldn't find anything on a Rough Guide map I have, though I'm sure its just me not knowing where to look. Here's what she said:
"You can get a taxi from Fiumicino for a flat fare of 40 euros. Otherwise get the local train (not the expensive one to Termini). It goes to Orte or Fara Sabina and you get off at Ostiense from where you can get bus 175 outside the station in the piazza. Get off at the stop just after the bus rounds the back of the Colosseum - you have to ring the bell!"
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Elaine, as I understand this, she is giving you two options. 1 - Take a taxi directly from FCO to the residence. It appears, based on her pricing suggestions, that your resience is inside the Aurelian Walls, and thus the Fixed Taxi Rate Zone. 2 - The second option is to take the FM1 from the FCO Train Station to the Roma Ostiense Train Station. The FM1 starts at FCO and heads towards Orte or Fara Sabrina... so just get on the train! From Roma Osteinse station, walk outside and catch the 175 bus. Ride the bus until you see the Colosseo. As it nears, push the button and get off the bus BEHIND the Colosseo. Then you'll have to walk from there to the residence. Total cost per person is €9 for the train and bus tickets.
Posted by
OP
Joseph, Oregon, USA
46 posts
Thanks! I am still unable to find the Ostiense train station on my map ... where is it close to? There is also no mention of it in my RS guide book that I can find. The only stations I knew about were Termini and Tiburtina. The only mention of the local train was the advice "not" to take the train to Orte, but rather than the one to Termini. (In my ignorance of Italy, I didn't realize at first that Orte was a town in Italy; I was looking for a street. I feel pretty dumb). I'm assuming Ostiense is just a small station? What can you tell me about it? Would the main advantage be that it's less expensive than the one to Termini?
Posted by
Caruthers, CA, USA
244 posts
Google this: Ostiense rome, it Maps from the upper left corner. A, the first choice, is Roma Ostiense There seems to be a train stop as well as a metro. Ciao!
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Roma Ostiense is the 3rd largest train station in Rome, after Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina. It's adajcent to the B line metro station Piramide, and also the Roma Porta San Paolo station which handles the Roma-Lido train line. That's the one you take to the beach or Ostia Antica... So there's actually THREE stations and a bus depot out front. Across the street from Piramide is the famous Non-Catholic Cemetery.
Posted by
OP
Joseph, Oregon, USA
46 posts
Thank you all. I think I'm oriented now. Ron, appreciate the info on the cemetery.