Is it time-consuming to get from Trastevere to main tourist areas in Rome?

It's more efficient to stay close to the attractions. Trastevere, to me, is better for younger folks or couples and doesn't strike me as a good family place. We just stayed close to the Pantheon and it was very convenient for many of the major sites on foot. It was especially nice to see the Pantheon in the early morning and then go back to the hotel for breakfast. Make sure you have air conditioning.

Trastevere is not a bad walk to Campo de Fiore and Piazza Navonna. The tram runs frequently enough and it would let you off in between those two and the foro romano right on the main bus line. The trick is: where in Trastevere are you staying? If you are close to the river, walking is easy. The further away, obviously, the more you'll depend on the tram. Trastevere is a beautiful and interesting neighborhood in itself - it is one of the 'must see' sites of Rome in my opinion. Enjoy!

Hi Shari, you're correct that Tram 8 runs out to Trastevere. Given there are four in your party and your objective is to not spend lots of time getting to a particular site (from station), you may want to consider a taxi. Taxis are relatively cheap in Rome, and one fare would absorb all four passengers and drop you off directly at desired site. Just make sure it's a regulated taxi and not a 'knock-off' company who've been known to take advantage of tourists. Having your hotel arrange taxi service/pickup should mitigate that concern.

The wait for the tram is infinitesimally short, seriously. If you like to walk, and can walk, Rome is a walking delight. I avoid public transport, for the most part, because i so enjoy walking across the city and figuring out my path. you discover wonderful things that way.

Caveat to all this is i generally am not there in late July and August when it can get so very hot. If I was I may increase my use of transport.

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I just stayed in Trastavere in an apartment through VRBO in May (VRBO Listing #837095ha). We had a party of four - My wife and I (mid-50's) and two sons (21 and 25). We easily walked to/from Campo de Fiore in 10 minutes or less. St. Ceceila is a couple blocks away and the RS Trastavere walking tour goes right by the front door. We walked 5-10 mile per day while we were there but it wasn't strenuous. The only 2 places we didn't walk to were the Vatican Museum (that was because we were running a little tight for our scheduled tour) and St. John in Laterano (it just looked too far on the map, but we walked back hitting the Colosseum/Forum along the way). There are two taxi stands within a block of this apartment, so finding a taxi will be easy.

Trastevere is big. If you are near Piazza Santa Maria di Trastevere, you can even walk to some sights like Vatican, Campo die Fiori, even Piazza Navona. But if you are down near Testaccio then the tram is a must. The number 8 tram will take you close to the Pantheon (Largo Torre Argentina) and all the way to piazza Venezia, which is next to the Campidoglio (Capitol Hill) and the Forum. Once at the a Forum, the Colosseum is not too far to walk.

As mentioned, if you are tired and don't want to bother with walking back to the tram 8 or other public transportation, use taxis.

And remember that Google Maps has the pedestrian option when you're using it for directions. That will tell you how long it would take to walk if you walk at a decent clip. I always do the "tourist adjustment" upward to their estimates to allow time for enjoying the walk.

The new routing of the tram is much less convenient for Campo de' Fiori, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon.

Instead of terminating at Largo Argentina, where it used to be exceedingly convenient to all of those places, it now turns sharply right and goes to just before Piazza Venezia.

The stops for those places are now either, inconveniently, quite a lot closer to the Tiber, or towards the terminus at Piazza Venezia.

Either one involves a little walk now, and worse, is not obvious the way it used to be (voice of experience).

We stayed in Trastavere, near the river, at the start of the RS Southern Italy tour. It was within reasonable walking distance (15 minutes or so) to both the Vatican and the sights included in the Julius Caesar shuffle. In full disclosure, I like walking (if possible) over public transportation because it helps one get a sense of the city. I try to savor the destination and not just rush from one "must see" to another.

Beyond that, the advice in the RS guidebook is spot on concerning the crowds at the Coliseum and Vatican. Ignore it at your risk! All that time saved getting to the sights could well evaporate waiting in very long lines.

I haved stayed in Trastevere near the river with a 9 and 11 year old and we walked everywhere.... Vatican, Colosseum, as far north as the Soanish steps etc. Twice we caught taxis back to our apartment at the end of the day.

We stayed in Trastevere close to the river and found that after spending the day sightseeing around Rome and Vatican City, it was wonderful to get out of the crowds (in October) and relax and have dinner near our apartment. And we did walk pretty much everywhere including the Gallery Borghese and used the #8 too. And we are in our 60's.

I really appreciate all of the info. It makes me realize I have some thinking and research to do. I'm not sure where we will stay..

Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Santa Maria and is it in a location close to the river?

Shari, you don't need us to answer your latest question. Enter the hotel's name into Google and there's your answer as to whether it's close to the river.

Well, we love to walk….but not too far. This hotel looks like a good option to me. Thank you, everyone!