We arrive in Leornardo Airport Rome at 8pm on Good Friday which is to late to take a train to the apartment we've rented in Florence. I'm looking for a nice but cheap hotel or hostel for a family of 4 (19yr & 16 yr girls). I was looking at the Yellow hostel but it looks like they can only book if there are 3 nights.....nor do they speak English to ask.
Any ideas? We're looking close to Termini so we can jump on the early train in the morning.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16210 posts
Teresa is right. If she lands at 8pm she won't get to downtown Rome (Roma Termini Station) before 9:30 pm. That's too late, there are only night trains with couchettes at that time. However, the last flight from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Florence (FLR) (Alitalia flight AZ 1681) departs at 9:25 pm and arrives in Florence at 10:25 pm. Worth considering if it saves train fare and hotel. Check it out, Teresa (alitalia.com).
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16210 posts
I usually use this website for Rome. I often go to Rome the night before flying back to the US, when I can't find decent flights straight to Florence, where I need to go every year. http://www.nycerome.com/ Click on the Areas near the station: Termini Termini Esquilino Quirinale. All the hotels in that areas are pretty much walking distance from the station.
4 people might be hard to accommodate in one room, but give it a try. Happy search!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
I'm a little confused by it being too late. Do you mean it's too late for you to travel to another city or that trenitalia doesn't have trains that late? I know trenitalia has trains that can take you to Florence after 8pm. This might be a better solution as it will at least get you to the city you need to be in. I can understand if the apartment isn't ready or the owner won't meet you that late but you can get an early start the next morning. Sorry, can't help with a hostel but there are lots of cheap hotels near the termini station in Rome if you do decide to stay overnight. Donna
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16210 posts
Ralph: but if she flies Alitalia (Delta Codeshare) the airline might pick up the hotel tab for the whole family if the flight is late and she misses the FCO to FLR connection. Then the next morning they can fly to Florence on the first Alitalia flight at 9:35 am and be in Florence one hour later. And if the flight is on time she'll be in Florence the same night and they don't even need to pick up the luggage at the baggage claim in Rome. They'll go all the way through to Florence since Customs is at the last destination airport (in Florence). I just checked the price online for that Alitalia flight on Kayak for March 29 (good friday): $86 one way. That's approximately the same price as the train ticket (57 Euro from Fiumicino to florence in 2nd class) without the hassle of carrying luggage around on the train or finding a hotel in Rome.
Come on Teresa! Get moving before Alitalia sells out the tickets to Florence!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Try the beehivee.com Hostel hotel in Rome recommend by RS
Very easy to work with
Posted by
OP
Glendale, CA, usa
46 posts
Roberto I can't find these airline tickets- looking under Italia Air is that right? The lowest price I see is $169 one way. Also on Saturdays I see 29euros for the train second class.
Last thing is if I can't buy the airfare cheap should we drive to Florence?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34267 posts
In the post you replied to, Teresa, Roberto used the correct name, Alitalia several times. That's the name you need to use, not the one you mention.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16210 posts
Go to www.Alitalia.it. There is a promo fare for March 29. One way is only 61 Euros, therefore basically the same as the train, but less hassle.
Driving to Florence when you arrive is probably the cheapest option for 4 people. Rental car can't possibly be more than 70 Euro a day including all insurance coverage possible. Add another 60 euros for gas+freeway toll and you're still saving a bunch over flying or train (x 4 people). From Fiumicino airport to Florence (Firenze Sud Exit) at that time at night, will take you less than 3 hours. It's all freeway driving. You'll be in Florence by Midnight at your apartment. Tell me the street address and I'll tell you how to get there. Hopefully it's not inside the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone).
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Unless you are a very experienced traveller to Italy and have a thorough understanding of the ZTL (NO Driving Areas) Florence will be an absolute nightmare and the tickets are more expensive than 2 hotel rooms in Roma.
And yes, you will have to pay the tickets, because the car rental agency has your I.D. and credit card. This blog is full of people trying to get out of paying these expensive tickets. So, either just overnight it in Roma, or get the cheap flight.