Getting in/out of Rome/Naples Train Stations Quickly

Kerry, As the others have mentioned, it's important not to be overly paranoid about stations in Italy, including Rome and Naples. While there is definitely the potential to be victimized, most travellers have no problems. Especially in Rome, there's a visible Police presence both from local Police and the Carabinieri. I've never had a problem in either station. The fact that you're travelling with a group provides an advantage as you'll have more "eyes" to monitor those around you. I often travel solo so have to be vigilant all the time. With moneybelts and the other measures you'll be using, you shouldn't have any problems. Happy Travels

va via means go away. basta means stop or enough. you could always go on the offensive and ask to read their fortune.

Last time we were in Italy some gypsy girls tried to pickpocket my husband by distracting him with some printed material they shoved in his face. He told me what they were trying to do. Instead of him yelling at them in Italian (he speaks fairly fluently), I screamed at them very loudly in English "get the bleep out of here!" and they took off. On this trip, I want to encourage my husband to use his words (Italian)!

Here is information on the Roma Termini train station. If you click on each of the subtopics, you'll eventually bring up maps of the station and the tracks:

http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ae2172ceeae7b110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

Here is the same information for Napoli Centrale train station:

http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=dd1172ceeae7b110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

You have to take all of the "negative" postings with a degree of caution. Everyone posts bad experiences but seldom posts no experience. These train station are not a den of thieves. We have been through Termini more than a dozen times, early and late, with no problems or hints of problems. It is big, wide open, well lite, and crowded with tourists. Only twice in Naples and again no problems. From the tone of your question, I think you are being overly paranoid. One needs to take reasonable precautions and maintain a good awareness of your surroundings but not everyone is out to get you. I have allowed people to assist with the ticket machine in certain situations, have ask for directions, and I prefer to use ATMs in busy open areas. It is the stand alone in dark corners that bothers me. In 300+ days of travel over 18 years I have yet to see a pickpockets. A couple of suspicious folks but no action. It is going to be a miserable trip if you are constantly jumping out of your skin. Relax some. The vast majority of the people you encounter will be good local citizens who are not to rob you.

All station trains have similar layouts. Just follow the flow to the front of the station. We tend to get off the train, step away from the flow of exiting people, get organized, consult the map now, and then proceed up the platform to the front of the station. Walk briskly but keep an awareness. Be careful of choke points. i.e. bottom of an escalator with a crowd is jamming. Since I am not in a hurry, I may step aside and let the crowd thin a bit.

The fact that you are already aware of what can happen gives you a big advantage. If someone approaches you offering help just firmly say "no thank you, I'm fine" If they persist, just repeat it and ask them to leave you alone. Most of the time they will. As far as thieves go, just be aware of anyone approaching you and trying to distract you. Have all your valuables in a safe place. Make sure the kids know to keep a hand on their bags at all times and not to talk to strangers (I'm sure they already know this). Just because you don't know exactly where you're going doesn't mean you have to act like a clueless tourist. Keep an eye out for signs and if in doubt ask someone who works at the station. Keep your group together and keep your bags locked. The chance of you being a victim is small to begin with and you knowing about these situations makes it even smaller. Explain some rules to your kids (depending on their age you can get into more detail) about how you will traveling and what may happen and why you will be a little more cautious than normal. I agree with Frank when he says the stations are not a den of thieves so don't get too paranoid but stay on your guard. You'll be fine.

You are prepared so relax! Your have a plan to secure your belongings. Make sure your (minimal)pocket cash is in a front pocket, preferrably zipped shut or under another layer (like a shirt and jacket hanging over your slacks with the cash in the pants pocket, not the jacket pocket). Just walk off the train and to the front of the station and look for bus, metro, or taxi signs to guide you out. You will be fine because you are prepared! 3 weeks in Italy and we didn't see one scam, had no untoward encounters, never fearful in any way. Had to tell some persistent street vendors of roses and light-up devices to "Vada via!" but never threatened at all.

It also helps to really study maps in advance of your trip, plot your walk from station to hotel if that is possible. I foudn after months of plannign with my maps of Venice and Rome, I was pretty comfortable with basic direction and did not need to look at my map all the time. Buon viaggio!

It's funny, because I do have a tendency when planning my trips to become anxious - BECAUSE of all the discussion about scammers/pickpockets. It's hard not too. But once I get to the destination, I relax. I felt safe everywhere we went last summer in France and Spain and ended up never even using my moneybelt. But I am confident, if we are aware of our surroundings, we should be fine. I'm glad to hear that the two train stations in question aren't as bad as postings make it sound. They make it sound like you are lucky if you can get out without being victimized!

Oh yes, thank you GAC for the link to the train station maps - I will definitely look at them!

I been to the Termini Station which is a nice train station and felt safe. The only thing is watch out for the taxi drivers that come after you and use Rick Steves advice and only get into marked taxi's with phone number on the taxi. You can use the Metro line A and B nowever with luggage the metro is not easy to use and this is the one place in Rome where I feel like I could get picked.

I had discussed pickpockets and scammers with my teens, and we came up with a code phrase that any of us could use if we sensed a problem. I think it was, "Ok, time to walk!" There would be no argument, we'd all just move. I think we did it once in Paris. Incidentally, my girls got a kick out of trying to pick out scammers.

We did not have any problems with either train station. Be sure to validate your tickets at termini, validation machine is just before you get to the track. We found the slow train to Naples much more comfortable, more room, we actually had a compartment by ourselves and and was half the price although it does take about half hour or so longer. At Naples train station found it was much more crowded and many people trying to sell things, we just waved our hands and kept walking. There is a great police presence there and felt safe. We were exhausted when we got to Naples after 14 hours of travel but we managed fine. Relax as you sound prepared.

It sounds like you will be prepared. I know about getting anxious before a trip with all the reports of pickpocketing and scams, etc. Please remember that the majority of people travel without incident. And lots of the people you encounter in the train stations will also be commuters. I relied heavily on the encouragement and advice of the frequent posters on this board. We've just returned from Naples and Barcelona. Had no problems whatsoever. Wore my moneybelt, kept my train ticket in my pocket along with some euro change. I carried a small messenger bag that I bought from Magellan's with reinforced strap. Doesn't look like a pac safe bag which I think is too obvious. Carried my money for the day and my atm card in a small change wallet in my bag. the bag had these little clasps for locking. Even I had a hard time getting them undone in a hurry. My husband did not carry his wallet, just his trans. ticket and some euro. Relax and enjoy. You will be in Italy!

I just got back from Italy and I was so prepared just like how you seem to be...didn't have any pickpocket problems at all. I had my money belt, and kept my hand on my purse (a Pacsafe sling tote, by the way) esp in crowded areas. There were alot of beggars, flower/scarf/light up toy sellers that were very insistent but you just say no and walk away. I didn't have any experience with Naples but was in and out of Termini using the metro and found signs and arrows directing you to the metro lines were easy to follow. Just make sure you know which direction you are going, which simply is the end point of the metro line. I wouldn't want to be lugging suitcases through Termini though because it's huge so I would recommend booking a shuttle to get back and forth from the airport.

I can't speak for the Naples station, but as for the Termini in Rome, the layout is very straightforward and is for most train stations. It's not like trying to make your way through an airport. You enter into the lobby where there are ticket machines and ticket windows, and beyond that are the train platforms. The worst trouble that you will have is reading your train ticket and figuring out the correct platform. Just don't make yourself look like a lost or naive tourist, and walk and act with authority. Don't accept unsolicited help or gifts from strangers and make sure that you keep a sense of your personal space. I've never had a problem in the Rome Termini.

We will actually be taking the train from Rome to Naples, so we will be carrying luggage, but only backpacks. I will have to tell my kids beforehand that people may be trying to sell them stuff and don't look interested!!!

We were told by an Italian women on our train from Pisa to Rome to exit out the right side of the Rome train station as we could hail a cab easily and not deal with the pickpockets. This worked well for us but on the way out of course a well dressed man tried to get my husband to use his "taxi" service and I had to turn around and tell him several times "NO". Have fun

My husband and I are in Rome today. Yesterday we took the train from Termini to Naples and then the Circumvisuviana to Pompeii. We had no problems at all. We had reserved 1st class seats which we had bought on the internet in the US. We did see several homeless people in both train stations but they were more sad than threatening. I think 2 people asked us for money in Rome (beggars) and one in Naples while we waited. We simply shook our heads and they left immediately. I saw absolutely no people bothering other people, period! The info boards are right before the platforms and easy to read with English subtitles. The platforms are no more difficult to navigate than any in NYC or Chicago. The Naples train station looks like it has just been redone; in fact, many storefronts are not open yet and the elevator is not installed (great escalators). But it is very clean and new and many police are present riding in little golf carts.
The train to Pompeii is downstairs and easy to find. It was crowded but Pompeii was not crowded at all. We had a lovely day at Pompeii. We were going to do it on our own with Rick Steves' podcast but changed our minds when we arrived. We hired a guide for 2 hours and he was fabulous. I would say it was a most worthwhile expenditure of 100 euros. We had reserved a free entrance to the locked bathhouse right at the entrance. Found the info on tripadvisor. It was very interesting with a fabulous mosiac.

Hi Peggy, thanks for the GOOD feedback about the train stations. We are also planning to visit Pompeii and/or Herculaneum (not sure of spelling). We just watched a PBS documentary on the latter which says the site is smaller, with better ruins having been buried more deeply and for far longer than Pompeii. I'd love to get a guide, but with a family of five, it's both excessively expensive and possibly too long for the kids.

Kerry, I cannot be 100 percent sure, but I strongly believe that the 100 euro ticket price for a tour covered up to 7 people. That is what my husband remembers as well. So it might be a good deal for 5 people. I also read good things about Herculanium (sp?) But the train stop there was deserted and our guide said no guides worked there in the winter. There are many workers there digging. For a first time view, I would stick with Pompeii which is beautifully run by the Italian governmental archeology agency.

We saw the PBS show too, and visted both Herculaneum and Pompeii, and think that Pompeii is about the most amazing place I have ever visited. We made out fine with the information we were given upon entry, and toured on our own for nearly 7 hours. We amscrayed out of Positano one day and hurried back to Herc, which is outstanding, but for sheer scale and place in time experience, Pompeii. Have a great time. Be safe, it's not that hard.

For some lighter comments, yet again, on our most recent trip, I had people approach me asking for directions in the local language (this trip, Dutch and Flemish) - why do they think I'm a local? (I don't think I look European, though my family calls me, especially with my glasses on, "the stern German lady") But I must seem to be a local, somehow. Anyway, I think it's possible to look like you know what you're doing even if you don't, but as others have said, just be aware. With kids in tow, you might be a little less vigilant because you have to keep your eyes on the kids, too. But on the other hand, after traveling with ours, I think people might be more likely to think you're locals if you have kids with you; most people still don't or can't afford to take their kids to Europe (unless they already live there). Another theory of mine is that scammers, etc. are less likely to approach people with children, because of the greater chance of public response if there's a problem or a parent feels a child is being threatened. Using ATMs - I'd rather use one in an open place with other people in the vicinity (though not leaning over my shoulder). This is where travelling in a group helps. One person uses the ATM, the others stand next to and behind the ATM user, to prevent third parties from getting close. You can let others help you buy train tickets, etc. - if you approach them, not the other way around. But don't let them handle your credit card. And you probably already know this, but when walking with luggage, one parent is in front, and one is the caboose.

Thanks for all your input. Interesting stuff. (Lexma) I hope your right about scammers staying away because of the kids. The kids are definitely a distraction to us, if we were traveling alone, I wouldn't be as concerned because we'd be more aware of our surroundings. Obviously keeping our eyes on our kids while we are in big cities is our first priority.

Kerry I'm confused. You appear to be concerned about losing your money, etc., yet earlier you said, "I felt safe everywhere we went last summer in France and Spain and ended up never even using my moneybelt." If you have a way to stay safe and decide not to use it, why do you express concern about losing things? You can have the same experience anywhere. I wouldn't think that the money belt is any sort of protection unless it were being used. And when it is, you really can feel safer, anywhere.

Sorry you are confused, Nigel. My question was specific to the two train stations because I had read several posts that suggested those stations were ridden with pickpockets/scammers. However, I have been assured that these stations are much safer than those posts led me to believe. What I said "somewhere" was that I tend to be more concerned when doing my trip research (because there is always so much "talk" about pickpockets/scammers), but when I arrive at the destination, my concerns usually diminish. I simply pointed out that on my last trip, we felt so safe, we did not feel the need to use our moneybelts. I'll be in more touristed cities on this trip and more likely to use the extra precaution. I'm not scared as some see to think; I just don't want to be ripped off. That would really tick me off!

I noticed the same comment as Nigel but passed on commenting simply because it was so inconsistent. I don't think anyone should feel so safe that they let down their guard. I think pickpockets have a developed sixth sense about who is an easy target and who is not. We have had too many postings on this site from people who comfortably let down their guard and then something bad happened. I have posted that in our 300+ days of travel over the past 15+ years we never seen a pickpocket in action, never had any personal problems, and feel very comfortable traveling in Europe. But I still wear my money everyday and take the same precautions that we have taken for years. Now it is just a habit - same as wearing socks.

While I may forego a moneybelt; I never let my guard down. If I'm carrying a pocketbook, it's a crossbody and I'm holding it in front of me at all times. I personally find the moneybelt very uncomfortable.