getting to Borghese Gallery

Thanks Donna and Ron for those options. I emailed my hotel and they said they would make the reservations for us so looks like we'll be set to go!

From via cavour you have two choices. You can take the metro to the termini, then take the metro to the P. Barberini. From there it's a short walk up the Via Veneto to the park and another short walk to the gallery. The other option is to walk the whole way. It's a nice walk but give yourself at least half an hour if not more. Remember, you must be at the gallery NO LATER than 30 minutes before the scheduled time to check in or they can give away your reservation to someone who is waiting. If you're talking about buying tickets and reserving a time just go to: http://www.ticketeria.it/ticketeria/borghese-regolamento-eng.asp Click the call me back button and they will call you back and make the arrangements. Donna

A couple of other options... you can ride the 75 bus up Via Cavour to Roma Termini (or the metro line B). From Roma Termini you can ride the 910 bus to just past the entrance to the Galleria Borghese museum on Via Pinciana. Walk back about 100 meters from the bus stop. Another option [INVALID][INVALID] If you are closer to the Colosseo and Via dei Fori Imperali you can catch the 85 or 850 bus on Via dei Fori Imperiali to Piazza San Silvestro. Then catch the 52 or 53 bus to the SAME bus stop that the 910 goes! The stop is called PINCIANA/MUSEO BORGHESE - you can find it on the ATAC website. And lastly, if you do ride to Piazza Barberini, you can avoid walking up the hill by catching the 116 or 95 bus to the San Paulo Brasile stop... Of course, at the same Via Veneto/Piazza Barberini stop, you can also catch the 52 or 53 bus to the PINCIANA/MUSEO BORGHESE bus stop.

Since I will do the same thing I have a question: "you can ride the 75 bus up Via Cavour to Roma Termini (or the metro line B). From Roma Termini you can ride the 910 bus to just past the entrance to the Galleria Borghese museum on Via Pinciana. Walk back about 100 meters from the bus stop" How long, in average, will this take?

Gaby, the actual transit time is probably 20+ minutes depending on traffic. But you'll have to wait for the 75 bus and then wait for the 910 bus to leave Roma Termini, and ride six stops. So I'd give myself about 45 minutes.

For heaven's sake, take a taxi. From where you are staying it will be about 5 euros for both of you. And they let you off about 200 feet from the door. We spent 6 weeks in Italy this summer and found the taxis a remarkably inexpensive way to go for several people. You'll pay about 2-3 times as much as a bus or the metro, but you will save time - lots of it -that you can enjoy. If you are limited time, as Rick himself says, a taxi buys you more of the expensive travel time you have already purchased with your airfare.

Agree with the taxi suggestion as easiest and simplest. When someplace isn't close enough to walk comfortably and enjoy the street scenes, grab a cab and save time and energy.

I'm glad to see people making the point about taxis saving time that you then have to see and do what you're paying all that money per day to see and do. We've heard of people spending 2 hours on buses (if you wait 15 minutes each for 4 buses and the buses take 15 minutes longer than a taxi for the same route and don't drop you at the door of the destination), to save a few euros? On a Europe trip, time is the one thing that you can't get more of, you get only so many good quality waking hours per day of your Europe trip, spend it wisely. You're already spending $5,000 or $10,000 - save the time to have the trip you deserve.

I've had bad experiences with the "is only a couple of euros" cab ride. In Madrid and in Paris both times I was told that it was better to take a cab than the bus because the difference was only 5 to 10 euros I ended up spending about 40+ euros =/ I am going to be getting the Romapass so I might as well use it, but if the taxi fare is only 5-10 euro, then yeah I agree that sounds like a better option.

The taxis have meters. Take the taxi, by all means. it's the easiest way.

Living in Rome we utlize public transportation far more than taxis.... but we do know the bus lines, where to get off the bus, etc. For a traveler, a taxi can be a good alternative. Unfortunately, Roman taxi drivers are some of the most inconsistent in the world... a well-deserved poor reputation. About 1 in 7 times I take a taxi I end up in a debate.... so be aware. First, always go to a taxi stand (it is illegal for cabs to pick up a party that's flagging them down - Many do it, but most will just ignore you.) You also DO NOT want to follow anyone who takes you from a taxi stand to their "taxi." Always make sure there is a meter, it is on and the TARIFF 1 light (not tariff 2) is lit. It helps to have the address, hotel, site, etc written down and hand it to the driver. Our version of the Italian language is sometimes a mystery to "real" Italians - Save yourself some confusion and money! Always have SMALL bills and COUNT THEM OUT to the driver. I NEVER pay the driver until ALL my bags are out of the car - and we usually did the airport run 5-6 times a month. I've met some great taxi drivers - a few who spoke great English. And I've had the misfortune of having a couple knock-down, drag-out arguements... For those of us that live here, the taxi is usually not the first alternative, but done "confidently" you can get around town quickly!

I have tried the bus twice from Trastevere, and will take a taxi the next time that I have to be somewhere at a specific time. The bus service was spotty. We were late getting to the Borghese our last trip and had to BEG our way into the museum even though we had pre-paid. It was a very BIG deal to the Borghese staff.

Would it be difficult to get a taxi from the Borghese Gallery at 19:00, when the gallery closes?

If you have the time, walking in the park is also nice. We loved this museum. The crowd started to thin about a little over an hour after our time in, so we were able to go back through the downstairs and look at some of the rooms again without the masses of people who all started in together and stayed on the same path. Definitely make sure you get there the 30 minutes before your reservation time.