Rome in a Day. Is this realistic?

I’d at least take a taxi fro San Pietro to Vatican museums- it’s about a 30 min walk

Then taxi from Vatican to Colosseum which is about an hour walk

Pantheon, Trevi and Spanish Steps are all easily walked to very close to each other

Are you on a Vatican tour or by yourselves? A tour is probably two hours and the most efficient way to see the highlights. On your own you will be less structured and maybe a little lost. Let’s say you allow two hours for the museum then another hour for St. Peter’s by the time you exit the museum, get to the basilica and go through s3curity, you’ll have half-an-hour inside.

That makes it 1:30 pm and you’d have an hour to get to the Coliseum. I would heartily recommend a tour here, too, for efficiency and so you better understand the site. Allow two hours.

Upon arrival and before your Vatican visit, head to a coffee shop near the museum entrance and get your coffee and a traditional Roman cornetto to get you through the tour.

Take a taxi to the Coliseum area for your tour. Grab a gelato first.

After the tour, you might just have time for pizza. From where do you depart Rome? IMO you do not have time for the other sites you mentioned unless you hire a private driver and guide to get you around.

are you trying to fit this in a cruise port call day?

Thank you for the replies and tips.

Yes, this is a cruise port day.

Thanks for that lorirees.

Since you are doing a DIY cruise port day I'm sure you're aware that the return time to the ship is critical. If it is a ship provided excursion the ship will wait if it is delayed. Not so much if you are DIY, so you really need to leave enough time getting back to allow any unexpected delay.

Vatican City contains both the Vatican Museums (where the Sistine Chapel is right at the far end) and the huge St Peters. Since you go back through the Vatican Museums to the way out and then walk around the walls to the St Peters square it can take a bit of time. Then everybody goes through security before you are allowed in. And St Peters is big - really big.

So do leave enough time in Vatican City. As others have said it is a fair way from the station, and then it really is a long way to the Colosseum. I might leave the Colosseum until last (if you can get tickets when you want them) because you will pass all the other central Rome stuff you want to see on the way. Afterwards I'm pretty sure that if you get over to Piramide you can get a train back from there towards the port, to save backtracking all the way to your arrival station.

You have a really big day planned. enjoy

There was a period when the Pantheon had timed tickets. ?

Be aware how far it is from the ship to the rail station and that it may be a two-seat ride. Very few cabs can come onto the piers. Make sure you get on the right port shuttle bus for your ship on return. I would pay for the cruise transfer to Rome, despite the cost. (THAT bus probably comes to the gangplank,) Rome is infamous for the cruise port distance.

Thank you for these very helpful comments. I took a quick look and it seems that there are no tickets required for the Pantheon and it's free to enter.

There is a cruise sponsored excursion that's called Express Train to Rome. Basically it's a bus ride to the Civitavecchiato train station. Passengers board the Express train that goes to St. Peter's station. The duration of the excursion is 10 hours long, however it states there will be only 5 hours in Rome. The other hours are used for travel and waiting for everyone to load the bus to the train station. This express train excursion would ensure that we won't be left by the ship. I still think we might be able to get on an earlier train on our own and have a bit more time than five hours. The ship leaves at 8pm. Even if we get on a train and depart Rome at 5pm we would have more than five hours of sightseeing time if we do it on our own.

I forgot to mention that the start of our cruise is in Barcelona. Thankfully we will have 5 days in Barcelona (actually 4 because the 5th day is the day we got on the ship). Rome is one of our port days. 8am-8pm.

I would re-think your itinerary and see what you can do without in case there are any delays at the port. Even with timed reservations, you will still have to wait in lines to get into the Vatican museum and the Colosseum.
Also note that, although your time in port says 8 am - 8 pm, you will likely not be able to get off the boat right at 8 am. Also, 8 PM is the time the boat is scheduled to sail away so you will have to be on board before that time (usually at least 30 minutes prior, if not more).
Going through the Vatican takes a long time as there is a predetermined path that you must take. You can’t just head directly to the Sistine Chapel, admire it for a few minutes, then leave. I was there pre-COVID so it was insanely crowded so just walking down a hallway took forever. (That may have changed.)
As others have mentioned, the Colosseum is on the complete other end of Rome as the Vatican. You will not be walking. Even walking from St. Peter’s back Rome takes longer than you think. You will need a taxi for sure.
Navigating on your own in Rome is very doable. But it takes extra time (looking at your map, looking around to figure out where you are, etc.) and, for your itinerary, every second counts. You may even want to hire a guide and/or driver for the day (from the train station) in order to be the most efficient with your time.
Good luck!!

Having just been to Rome and made those stops, I think this is overly ambitious. Is your goal just to check things off your list or to actually see it? Honestly, it took us three days to hit these highlights and breath in the Roman vibes.

My understanding is that the cruise port is a ways out of town. Transportation might be interesting and slow. I'm not sure how crowded it will be in September but everything takes more time than you think. The heat, I'm sure it will be hot, saps your energy. Your Vatican tickets might be at 10:30 but it will be 11:15 before you get through the lines, voucher exchange, security and into the museum. Wading through the crowds is time-consuming. If you're planning to go to St. Paul's, and I would and did, it is another walk and a security line. The basilica is huge and deserves some time.

Distances are deceptive and directions confusing. It's a ways to the Pantheon which had a big entry line when we were there. It's maybe a half-hour walk from there to Trevi Fountain. I'd bet even in September, the streets are clogged. The Colosseum is a long walk from there. It seems like every transaction takes a long time. Traffic can be insane.

Getting lost in Rome is one of my favorite things. Having a hard-stop to get back to the boat would make me nervous. You could power through but you'd be doing Rome and yourself a disservice. Do the Vatican and that area and dream about what your next trip to Rome will be like.

Thanks for all of the advice and comments.

I just looked at the ship's itinerary and we are docked from 0700-2000, so that gives us a bit more time in the morning.

We do have timed 10:30am tickets to the Vatican so I am not sure what we can do beforehand other than a coffee maybe if we are early and wait in line..

Right now the plan is to get to the train station as soon as possible and get to Rome -- it takes about an hour to S. Pietro station.

I have a question about the security line:
In a perfect world if we get there by 0900, we will get in the security line and hope to get in 15 min early to the Vatican. I've read that they allow 15 min. Or, does the security line start after I show my ticket? When can I start queuing? Thank you.

Two weeks ago, we didn't find security to be terrible but we went in the afternoon. It all went much faster than on a previous trip with a Skip-the-line tour. I think mornings might be worse because everyone wants an early start. There is a decent coffee stand near the entrance to get your caffe. Remember, you seldom see Italians eating or drinking while walking.

I am a logistically-oriented person and the only way you're going to pull this off is meticulous planning and well-considered Plans B, C and D. Get maps of the art/attractions you want to visit and prioritize what you want to see and how to get there. Map out your route. I carry a compass in Rome because we always get turned around. Decide on your timing and what can change if necessary. What if, say, three hours at the Vatican isn't enough? What if you can't get a taxi or there's a bomb scare? What if the thought of 30 minutes with a cold beer supersedes your best laid plans? Pick a cut-off time and stick with it.

One thing you have going for you is fresh feet. When we hit Rome last month, we were over 250,000 steps into our holiday. Good luck!

Ohhhhh. The reason I think of cruise itineraries as a form of torture- so many interesting places, but so little time.

Thank you CT for the advice and information. It's appreciated and I agree with your advice of a cut-off time. We're going in with a plan but what will be will be. Fantastic advice to bring a compass.

Kenko, I agree and I would much prefer a land trip, however this is our situation and we're going to make the most of it. The bright side is that we get to spend Tues-Sat in Barcelona before we get on the ship. It won't be as frantic.

I have a spouse who adores cruising so I know you're just trying to make this work under the constraints you have.

If you're able to get yourselves to Rome earlier than 9, and if you're willing to splash out on taxis as needed, you could actually start at the Pantheon. Weekdays don't have advance booking but there is a security line that can get pretty long. From there, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are both fairly close and don't really take any time to visit. You'd have to rush through the Pantheon but it seems reasonable to catch a taxi over to the Vatican and arrive in time for your 10:30 tickets. For what it's worth, when we cruised the Baltics, we were able to get off the ship pretty much right at the time the schedule said it would arrive. If it's arriving "at 7am" you'll likely already be docked when you wake up.

When you get your pizza, I recommend trying suppli as well! They're similar to arancini but have pizza sauce and mozzarella inside.

Thank you Andrea!! So helpful.

I appreciate all the comments. We are mapping out a plan.

Rather than taking a train from the port - it is a long walk to the station and double the length if your ship is at the far end of the long quay - have you thought about organizing a car/driver to get you to Rome and back? It will be a time saver as it can take you to your first stop. As your ticket for the museum is 10.30 I’d suggest you visit the Pantheon when it first opens at 8.30. It is usually pretty empty then and it does not take long to see it all. Have the car wait for you and then drop you off at The Vatican Museums, grabbing coffee and cornetto while you wait for your slot. I’ve used Welcome Pickups for transfers from airports to city centres and found them to be excellent. There are many other companies who do port pick up and also tours that cover most of what you want to see.. if you stick to your plan of getting to Rome by train, you could take train to Rome Termini and if early enough visit the Pantheon and then the Vatican.

Hi lorirees,

I hope it is okay...sorry if any confusion about previous reply re: VM security.

In case new people read thread:

I updated post regarding security at Vatican/St. Peter's. 🤦🤦
I haven't been to the Vatican in a while (I have frequented St. Peter's more often); forgot about VM "access door" may not be open due to health policy.

(Currently, someone wrote door is re-opened)

---

Visiting the Vatican/St. P's will take up a good amt of time.

With a full day in Rome, are you planning to carry a big backpack?

Vatican has a security check. The line may be long. Hats/ jackets/bags are checked. As long as you have your water bottle in your bag, the guards ok it (my experience.)

Vatican doesn't allow large/oversized backpacks, large bags, large umbrellas.

You would need to check it (free) which would waste time retrieving it.

If each of you carry a backpack/tote about 14"-15" & not fully packed; usually ok by guards (my experience.)

Vatican is very strict about women/men covering their shoulders/knees. Even if it might still be warm in September, carry/ wear items to cover.

Men usually wear long pants. Short sleeved t-shirts/ jerseys seem ok.

Updated for current policy: When you go to St. Peter's from Vatican/Sistine (provided the access door is open), you won't need to do a security recheck at St. P's even though there is Basilica security.

If access door is closed, then you would need to go around to & thru security line at St. Peter's - time consuming.

---

Don't miss the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Peters. It's a gorgeous chapel meant for quiet time, prayer, and reflection. Once you pass the Pieta, it will be on the right.

Exiting St. Peters piazza, Castel Sant'Angelo is right down the road from the Vatican. You won't have time to visit the museum, but at least you can see the outside area, if you wish.

The Borgo Pio, east of the Vatican, is a quaint medieval neighborhood -Love it.

Prati is north of the Vatican.

You could get a quick lunch/bite to eat or a take away slice or two.

The below video:
https://youtu.be/V2VcEkPaeF4

"Rome in a Nutshell" by Italyguides.it
may help you, as a self guide, to choose what sites you will be able to visit.

Scroll to about the 7-minute mark on the video, and it will show you from an aerial view point, a "diamond shaped" map of the city center and the most popular sites outlined.

It will give you a good idea to see how you can make the most of your time to see the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, & Campo de Fiori & Coliseum (without backtracking.)

Restaurants directly bordering all the main sites piazzas will be on the expensive side and geared toward tourists. The same with gelato.

Mom and Pop restaurants, gelato shops, and cafe shops off the beaten path are usually very good. (My experience.)

You probably are already aware, but secure/bury your wallet and passport or other documents very carefully in your bag.

Never leave your phone or bag unsecured on a table or chair --anywhere.

There are stealth criminals who can tiptoe in & out of your bag or jacket pocket without you feeling a thing.

Since your trip is in September, maybe you can take some time & review videos from Romewise.

She has many uploaded & they are fun to watch.

She is married to a native Roman, they've made their home in Rome for at least a couple of decades, they used to own a hotel. She gives a lot of good pointers about Rome inside & outside the city center.

The below link is from last year in September. Tips on what to expect at that time of year.

https://youtu.be/cFAZIPp1IQ0

Hopefully someday, you'll return to Rome to
enjoy a longer stay.

lanlubber and Girasole thank you so much for this advice. The community here has been terrific and all have helped considerably. I feel less stressed. I know better what to expect, and I will keep my expectations in check. The way I see it, if we only see the Vatican it will be a win. The rest is a bonus. My husband is enthralled with Roman history so we will definitely have to return. A bright spot is that we have more days in Spain before we get on the ship. We are going on a day trip to Tarragona, which will be interesting for the Roman history aspect.

This cruise was a total impulse buy. We booked our flights way back and got a good deal through the cruise line. It's an affordable way for us to see a few spots and get an idea of where we would like to return. I have visited other countries and cities overseas on regular, non-cruise trips: England, Germany, Austria, and France. This is our first time visiting Spain and Italy. Next time, I will spend more time in one spot.

I LOVE Youtube so I will definitely view these videos and check out these creators. And thank you for reminders on dress code and pickpockets.

BACKPACKS: I don't plan on carrying a backpack. In YouTube videos I see a lot of people wearing them and I'm wondering what they are carrying in there. I have a crossbody purse that is secure and I can fit a water bottle inside, sometimes two. I do wonder about backpacks. If it's raining I will probably bring a backpack to carry rain jackets and umbrella. Thanks for reminders on dimensions. What else is in that backpack? Snacks? Water? Maps? I try to carry everything in a purse that I can hold in front of me.

Thanks again for all of the advice and helpful hints.

Hi Lori,

You are very welcome, and I hope you enjoy your trip!
🍝🍷🍕🍺

So you are pretty well traveled to other countries -that's great. 😁

I'm with you on the crossbody purse -- it's what I carry around in Rome (other places in Italy I've been to also)

I have different sized kiplings and because they're lightweight and have many pockets, I can fit a lot -- perfect for traveling. I too like to have my bag in front of me with valuables, etc.

In my bag, I carry snacks, a mini umbrella, and my water bottle (amongst other things.)

At St. Peters - everything was okay. Obviously you can't eat in those places, but if you had to take a sip of water if you are coughing or had to take meds, the security guards wouldn't object.

You probably know this tip from traveling in other countries, but please remind your husband to not carry his wallet in any jacket or pants pocket.

You may come across street vendors pedaling umbrellas at the first drop of rain, lol, they are not aggressive. I usually say no thanks in Italian and they walk away.

I haven't seen them in a long time, but there are the "bracelet people" who will try to give you a bracelet; if you accept, they want Euro. Just keep on walking.

You may encounter some people around St. Peter's Piazza shaking their little cup looking for coin. They're not aggressive.

If you haven't done so, please familiarize yourself with the official Rome City cab if you decide to take one anywhere during that day.

https://www.romewise.com/taxi-in-rome.html

Edited.

When you come around to St. Peter's from your Vatican visit, you won't need to do a security recheck; even though there are the Basilica's security at the door.

I think that unless you are taken through the Sistine Chapel magic door by an all inclusive tour, you will in fact have to join the queue for the security check at the Basilica.

If that isn't true, Girasole, how does it work? How do they know who has been checked and who not?

Ditto to what Nigel said: the "magic" door has been closed to visitors and tours for some time so everyone must enter the basilica from outside and pass through security checks. That queue, while it generally moves pretty quickly, can be quite long. I've not read anywhere that you can avoid it by visiting the museums first unless something has changed?

The magic door is open! We were there this morning (June 17) and moved easily from the Sistine to St. Peter’s and didn’t go back through security. Our guide told us it had been open since a week after Easter. (And yes, we were on a guided tour so it may have required a special pass.)

Our group of 6 visited Rome on a cruise stop several years ago. We ended up hiring a private driver to help us see all the sights in 1 day. We connected with 2 other people on our cruise ahead of time via Cruise Critic & planned a full day in Rome, splitting the cost between us. We were waiting in line to get off the ship as soon as we were allowed to. We managed to see: inside of the Pantheon, inside the Coliseum (did not have time for a tour, just looking around on our own), Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, sit down lunch, private tour of the Vatican Museum, and finally a stop for gelato on our way back to the cruise port.

Looking back, we are amazed at what we managed to see in 1 day! It was well worth it. We are planning to return to Italy for a land trip in 2023 & looking forward to spending several days in Rome this time.

Our cruise was a good way for us to see lots of places in the short amount of time that we had & decide where we wanted to return to. Enjoy your cruise!

"unless you are taken through the Sistine Chapel magic door by an all inclusive tour, you will in fact have to join the queue for the security check at the Basilica.

If that isn't true, Girasole, how does it work? How do they know who has been checked and who not?"

---

Nigel and Kathy,

Sorry for the confusion.

It is correct, you have to go through the security line at St. Peter's (unless of course people on a tour are allowed to go through the door from the Sistine.)

I have not been to the Vatican Museums in a long time, (only St. Peter's.) I should have clarified about transitioning between the two.
Re-reading, I didn't word it properly. I realize not having visited the Vatican in a while, I probably should have just commented on my experience with only St. Peters.

Now I just read that a couple of people have gone through the "special door."

Lori,

Below is the website for St. Peters. It may help to maximize your visit.

There is the drop-down menu to see the floor plan.

https://stpetersbasilica.info/index.htm

Thanks much for clearing that up, Girasole.

Regarding that door...
Until the bigger tour companies change their published info, I wouldn't personally bet on the thing consistently being open, even for tours.

This from Walks of Italy's "Pristine Sistine", which used to include the basilica but doesn't anymore.

"Previously, many Vatican tours visited St Peter's Basilica. Following
the pandemic however, routes and access have changed, making this
impossible."

The Roman Guy's "Vatican, Sistine Chapel, & St. Peter's Basilica Tour":

"As of June 23rd, 2021, the Vatican has closed the "licensed guide
entrance" to St Peter’s Basilica for all tour companies and tour
guides. Therefore a guided visit to the Basilica won’t be possible due
to the distance between sites."

Context, City Wonders, Dark Rome and the Vatican itself are not offering museum + basilica tours at all anymore, and some recent reviews of a Made In Rome tour (a company I'd never heard of) which promised use of that door state that their tours didn't go in published order of museums>basilica through the "special entrance" into the church. They did the church first, and then the outside walk-around to the museum. There are multiple comments about "no lines skipped" as the info had promised. One individual said their tour waited over an hour just to get into the basilica.

So while not questioning the fact that some groups apparently have been allowed through - obviously yours did, walkertobi - I'd be cautious to rely on being able to do it if buying a tour specifically for that benefit.

Regarding having a compass , most of our phones already have one.
Carry snacks because you can't do this hangry, and waiting to get into a restaurant won't fit into your plan. Also, part of the beauty of Italy is its carefree chaos, but that can work against you on a day like this. Maybe you can't find a cab , maybe one doesn't arrive in a few minutes, maybe the trains are running really late. Italy doesn't run on the same efficiency mode of a Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. That being said, we are planning a spring 2023 trip to this bewitching country.
I think your attitude of considering the Vatican a victory, and all else is icing is the best approach - enjoy!

Good luck with seeing Rome and other ports. I imagine you will want to return to Italy on at least another land based visit.

Thanks Kathy for the updates on the guided tour companies.

I agree, activities and other things can change quickly from day to day based on certain criteria, etc.

One of my best friends lives in the Lombardi region -- Adaptability is key, lol.

LOL, things can change more often than I change my socks! 😵

Very true! 😂