Hi all. The Spagna metro stop - is that at the bottom or the top of the Spanish Steps? We will only have one, small rolling suitcase and are contemplating taking the metro from the airport to hotel - located at the top of the Steps.
Termini station - is this the only station I can buy train tix to Florence? Termini is an actual metro stop, right? Or is every station called Termini?
Thanks!
Have never taken the Metro in Rome but have been to the Spanish Steps many times and have never seen a Metro stop so I think it must be above the steps. You can but train tickets at any travel agency. There are plenty of them in Rome.
"Termini" refers to the one train terminal in Rome. Technically, the difference between a terminal and a station is that the tracks come to an end in a terminal (as in "terminating"). Once they unload and then load up, they go back out of the building the same direction they came in (switching tracks once they leave the terminal to get them going to their destination).
In a station, the trains pass through (maybe stopping, maybe not) on a continuous rail line. Lots of people refer to the Termini in Rome as a train station, but technically it's not. (Same thing with Grand Central Terminal in NYC - It's not Grand Central Station.)
(As another poster mentions below, it's just coincidence that the word "terminal" and the name "Termini" are similar.)
The Metro refers to the subway in Rome, which has a stop at the Termini.
From what I remember, the metro stop is at the bottom and around the corner from the Spanish Steps. There is a metro stop at the Termini (train station) down the stairs from where you catch the trains. We found the metro very easy to use and a very economical way to get around the city.
You can buy tickets to Florence at Termini or through a travel agent there, or buy them here on line before you go. It's actually worth going to Termini because it's unlike any train terminal you'd see here (as is the rest of their public transportation).
If you're going to be there for a while, consider getting a 24 or 48 hour pass for a Hop On/Hop Off bus tour of the city. Runs from Termini and stops at all the major sites every 15 minutes or so including a few blocks from the top of the Spanish Steps. Pass must be stamped and is good until the same time the following day. Also stops close to restaurants and shopping close to the sites and will save you some expensive taxi fare.
Actually, the origin of the word "Termini" is from the Baths of Diocletian that were near there - "Terme" meaning hot springs. Michael is right, though, that in modern usage "Terminal" means a station where the tracks stop.
The Spagna Metro stop is near the bottom of the Spanish Steps.
Just to be sure that it is clear -- you can buy tickets at any train station including the train station at the airport. There is a massive number of ticket terminals along with live ticket agents in Termini. And, as someone else stated, you can buy at any travel agency you might find when looking around.
Termini is the main train station. EuroStar Italia high-speed trains to Florence depart from Termini. Slower regional trains to Florence depart from Termini and also stop at Tiburtina, one of Rome's other train stations.
You can buy tickets to Florence or anywhere else in Italy at any Trenitalia station in Rome.
Yes, there is a metro station at Termini.
Are there extra fees when you purchase tickets to Florence from one of the travel agencies?
Have never used a local travel agency simply because the train stations are easy and convenient especially the ticket machines. BUT it is my understanding that there are no extra fees for using a travel agency.
Hmm. Turns out the origin of the name "Termini" is not universally agreed on. Here's one site that says it got its name from the Piazza di Termini which was named after the boundary formed by the city walls, not by the nearby Terme baths. Interesting.
Anna,
The Spagna Metro Station (Line A) is at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. As you're looking towards the steps, the entrance to the Metro station will be on your left. As I recall, one has to walk through a bit of "tunnel" to get to & from the station. Hiking up the steps with one small rolling suitcase wouldn't be a huge effort (at least for me).
Roma Termini is the largest station in Rome and is located in the main part of the city (as opposed to "the outskirts"). As someone else mentioned, the tracks all come to an end in the station, so trains have to reverse direction to depart. Termini is both a rail station and a metro station. The Metro lines are about two floors below the level of the main station. There are restaurants and other shops on the main level and additional shops (almost like a "Mall") the next level down. There are ATM's there also, if you'll need one.
Termini is the best place to buy rail tickets, as there are both "live agents" as well as ticket machines. You might want to check This website for all the details. Take a few minutes when you arrive to get your tickets to Florence. I'd suggest using the high speed EuroStar Italia / Alta Velocita as the trip is only about 1H:40M. The tickets will be a bit more expensive though, as compulsory reservations will be included in the ticket price.
I'd highly recommend that you pack along a copy of the Italy 2009 Guidebook, as I've found that to be a valuable source of reference during a trip.
Buona Fortuna e Buon Viaggio!
Go online, find out which train and at what time you want to leave and write it down. Get to the Termini Station (terminal, station or whatever you want to call it) early enough to buy your tickets. Use the self serve kiosks at the entryway to buy your ticket with your Visa/MC. The machines are in many different languages. There will be no waiting in line, nor dealing with surly ticket agents. Then go find your train platform. It really is very cut and dry. If the train you want is sold out (unlikely), then wait for the next one. There are many trains to and from Florence every day.
