Ostia Antica

I went to Ostia Antica a month ago and found it very easy and very inexpensive to get there. The entire trip counts as one ride on the subway.

Per Rick Steves' Rome guide: "Take Metro Line B to Piramide stop, which is attached to the Roma Porta San Paolo [commuter] train station. The train tracks are just a few steps from the Metro tracks: Follow signs to Lido (beach) - go up the escalator, turn left, and go down the steps to reach the Roma-Lido line. All trains depart in the direction of Lido, leave very 15 minutes, and stop at Ostia Antica along the way..." About 30 minutes on train.

"Leaving the train station in Ostia Antica, cross the road via the blue skybridge and walk straight down Via della Stazione di Ostia Antica, continuing straight (through a small parking lot) until you reach the larger parking lot for the site)." Although the signage could be better, it's an short 10 minute walk and pretty easy if you just keep walking straight after crossing the skybridge over the motorway.

I enjoyed very much what I saw...and the contrast between the Roman ruins and the jets on final approach to FCO is interesting as well.

Definitely go if you want to see a Roman city without the crowds of Pompeii. Loved it.

As you fly into FCO on a clear day you may see the ruins off the left of the plane. It is really cool from the air. Our day trip to Ostia Antica was a great day. A gentleman on the bus pointed the station and the stop for us. Such a sweet person and so anxious to help. Coffee, just off the train stop was the "BEST" and 2-3 Euros for two. I am able to order in Italian. The site is enormous! We had been to two other sites in southern Italy, no guide was needed. I searched for sites similar to Pompeii, where we had a guide. Well preserved mosaics and theater. With some exploring you can see the toilets (baths in Pompeii but no toilet) and a kitchen (not as great as Pompeii). They are not in the same area, if you had wonder. The eating establishment, just off the site is good to very good. Locals were ordering off the menu, we had the deal of the day. Train back included an American who had sung in the Vatican with her church. What an opportunity! Excellent Day! We were in Rome 4 nights and 3 days. First for my spouse and the second visit for me. If my time or goals were Rome, I would save Ostia Antica for another day!

My mother and I loved Ostia Antica when we visited in August 2015! Really nice mosaics, not crowded--we were there on an August Sunday afternoon--felt like a little adventure getting there. We bought the 2 euro map at the entrance but didn't find it particularly helpful. I had read up some online on the site but found we mostly just explored and found wonders around every corner. If/when I go again, I'll try to plan where I want to explore a little more. Have a great time!

Ostia Antica is wonderful. Use the RS audio guide ( free!)

It is a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of Rome itself and is definitely worth visiting.