Getting from Rome Termini to St. Peter's

Gwen, I'd suggest using the Metro and a then a short walk, as Donna mentioned. From Termini, use Line "A" (direction Torrevecchia) to the Ottaviano station (six stops from Termini). As I recall, the walk from the station is quite reasonable. On the return trip, use the reverse method (direction Anagnina). Happy travels!

I always leave early and walk to St Peters from the Termini area and grab a bit of coffee at a place on Pizza Barberini. I just love Rome early in the morning.

Gwen, One other thing that in my opinion cannot be overstated is that before you set out... be sure you have a good map. Although St Peters can be seen from much of Rome, a good map is borderline essential.

Walking is a nice option but its a good ways. I seem to recall it taking me nearly an hour. I love walking in Rome early in the morning and think its the best way to see all the small tid bits that you would miss otherwise. From Termini I usually go via the Spanish Steps which I think are very overrated but its on the way. Continue north and cross the Tiber... the views of St Peters are pretty nice as you get closer.

You could walk but it would take you more than 45 minutes. It's a nice walk but long. You can take the metro to the Ottaviano stop and then walk to the basilica from there. The walk is about 20 minutes. You can take a cab for around 12 euros. Donna

Thanks, your replies are very helpful. Since that will be my last day in Rome I might just start out extra early in the morning and treat myself to a long walk through the city.

Thanks! it's great to learn all these details to make my experience go better. I will definitely take a map with me and will either walk the whole distance or take the metro part way and walk the rest. Mil grazie!

Okay, so going from the Termini to the Vatican Museums[INVALID]still metro A[INVALID]-where do I get off? . Then we're going to SPB via Sistine, then to Castel San Angelo...How do I get back to the termini from San Angelo?

Fredrica, if you are going to the Vatican Museum from Roma Termini, take the A line metro in the direction Battistini to the Cipro metro station, Follow the signs to the entrance of the museums. For pictures and directions from the Cipro metro station, use this post ***** http://tinyurl.com/vatican-tips ***** To get back to Roma Termini from Castel Sant'Angelo, walk across the street from the fortress - towards the Basilia of St. Peter's and jump on the #40 bus. It's an express bus that starts here and ends in the parking lot at Roma Termini. So once you're on it, just wait till it ends! Good Luck.

STOP! Do not take the metro to St. Peter's! You will be a not-touristy area, so the walk will not be all that magical! From Termini the 60 and 40 bus run directly to St. Peter's. Yes they are targeted by pick-pockets, but you will not get hurt and just need to be aware. You will end up there alot quicker, and it costs the same amount as a metro ticket (and the approach walk to the Vatican from this direction is so much more dramatic!). I also don't recommend walking, since it will be down the main streets in Rome which are not as exciting as other streets would be!

Sarah, thanks for the heads-up and for saving me some possible unpleasantness! Do you have any idea how long the bus ride to St. Peter's will take? And do I pay euros when I get on the bus, or do I need to buy some kind of a pass? I won't have a Rome Pass and don't intend to buy one because I won't need it during my time in Rome. Thanks!

Sarah, the 60 bus does not stop at the Vatican - you mean the #64 bus, also known as the pickpocket bus. It stops on the SOUTH side of St. Peter's Square, about a 15-20 minute walk from the entrance to the Vatican Museums. The #40 bus stops its run near Castel Sant' Angelo so you have ALSO have about a 20 minute walk to the Vatican Museums. If you're going to the Square then these buses CAN work - or you can ride bus either to Largo Argentina, get off, and transfer to the #62 bus, which stops just outside St. Peter's Square, adjacent to the passetto. If you're going to the Museum, you're better off on the metro. I've lived for 3 years on Via Candia (1 block from the Vatican entrance) so I know the buses and the metro - Too many rides! As far as not magical, you've not been to the Mercado Trionfale on your walks or over to the Flower market! Gwen, you do not buy a bus ticket ON THE BUS; you must have them in advance. Read this for more bus info ***** http://tinyurl.com/rome-bus *****

Ron, thank you so much for the info and link! It's just what I needed! You guys are awesome!

Bus # 64 leaves you almost in the front door.

The 64 bus stops on Via di Porta Cavalleggeri, just south of St. Peter's Square - about a 4-5 minute walk to the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica. The bus stop is Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro. I would not (and I think Rick agrees) recommend riding the 64 bus. I've lived in Roma and I always avoided this bus. The ATAC link - sorry it's so long, hope it works. paste the ENTIRE link - is as follows for this bus stop: http://trovalinea.atac.roma.it/zoom_in.asp?vediFermate=off&VediLinee=off&VediRivendite=off&xmax=2309647&ymax=4642556&xmin=2308247&ymin=4641156&idmtram=51822&percorso=64AT&tipologia=URB&linea=64&impianto=77310&circo=NO