Rome main train station???????????????

Quit reading trash and fiction.

Remember that people only post when they have a problem. You're not seeing the thousands upon thousands of times that absolutely nothing bad happened. Count me in that group.

Rome main train station is just like a thousand other major stations in Europe. It is big, busy, full of people going and coming with a few shady characters somewhere but not everywhere. It does help if you are traveling with one small suitcase. We have been through Termini maybe a dozen times or more, never been hassled by anyone, haven't seen a pickpocket, haven't been approached by anyone. Everyone seems to be in a hurry all the time. Be sure that the one report did not turn into many reports.

I'm here right now in Rome, and I always lodge very near Termini because I practically live at Termini, shopping for luggage, hoodies, shoes, going to the TIM store, Conad City, you want it, it's at Termini, food, caffe', souvenirs, clothes, and fast access to the fantastic Italian trains, and the huge outside bus terminal at Piazza Cinquecento, where is also lane after lane full of taxis.

Termini is extremely busy all day, it does lessen a bit in evening/night hours, but I have been here at all hours, and there were still plenty of people around. When I travel, I always pull only one bag, a carry-on, and I wear a RS shoulder travel bag with a RS umbrella in it, my hotel and ristorante research, and a smaller RS shoulder travel bag and that's it, because my money and documents are split between my RS money belt and RS neck wallet, which strings I hide with a neck scarf. I always look in control because I carry only what i can easily manage.

When I go shopping at Termini, i always wear the neck wallet. I wear it long so I can access it from under my shirt. I dress like this in Chicago too because the cops would pull up beside me and tell me to lose the purse. I never noticed any scams at Termini, i never got hassled, i never got pickpocketed, ain't nobody going up under my shirt or down my undies! L O L!

I think you will find the Italian train and bus system quite sophisticated. Be sure to travel First Class or reserved 2nd class if available so you will be refreshed and ready to face the adventure at Termini, even at night with somewhat less crowds, you still must take commonsense precautions.

And do your Google homework now on taxi fares so you know how much trips from say Termini to point B should cost.

I have been to this station so many times and at different times of day and different months within the year. Sometimes I'm by myself as a single woman, others times I'm with my young kids and if I'm lucky at times with my husband. I have never had an issue or problem. Most of the time I'm leaving the station and going out into the city. I wear a moneybelt so I've never had a problem with pickpockets. Walk with confidence and people will leave you alone.

Hi, I'm a 62 year old woman. I was there a year ago, unaccompanied by a man, in fact with two women my age....and we escaped unscathed!!! Again!!! I've been traveling to Rome for years, sometimes with the husband, and sometimes with my women friends, and I've not yet had a problem.

I live in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA, and my great big 6'6" 250 lb son had his briefcase stolen that contained his lap top, cell phone and other valuables at a VERY high end restaurant/bar when he was entertaining a client. LESSON: No matter where you are, just keep an eye on your valuables!

There's virtually NO violent crime in Europe. Pickpockets are around, as are petty thieves. (but they're NOT hiding behind every bush!) We have this in the U.S. I had valuables stolen out of my luggage at a Best Western hotel in a small, friendly town in Tennessee!

Personally, I believe that the areas surrounding most larger city train stations are a little "seedy" and not where I choose to sleep. But that's MY opinion. In Rome, I like to stay in the Vatican (Prati) neighborhood. But, I'm older, and it's quiet there at night. If I were younger and wanted to go out at night for a good time, I'd probably stay near the Campo di Fiori neighborhood or Spanish Steps, or even Trastevere. That's where I send my young adult kids! :-)

If you need more info, you can PM me, but NO Italy/Rome is NOT a Third World Country! Be alert, and for God's Sake have FUN!!!!

When I was in Rome last month there was some construction going on inside the terminal, but that actually eased congestion on the platform.

I didn't know I would start a fire storm with the comment!(GRIN) I have been all over Italy before and only once I saw a guy in Verona eye ball my Nikon camera for some time! Just held on to it tight!

Next question is, have any of you taken the night train? I was thinking about getting a deluxe sleeper with shower for the 10 hour ride. Or is going by day better! We leave Rome to Munich with a change in Verona. I have heard some complain on night trips and others no problem.

Checked plenty of flights, but few of the cheaper one left early or they had one stop and it was a loooong one!

Please don't shoot me for asking!(GRIN)

Dan

I thought we had already answered those questions at

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/night-vs-day-train-from-rome-to-munich

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/rome-to-munich-via-train

and
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/scenery-from-rome-to-munich-via-train

After all of those comments, I am not sure what more could be added.

I too am beginning to wonder what is with all the different threads asking essentially the same questions. You've gotten very good advice and comments in each of the threads. Only you know your budget, time constraints and personal preferences.

Not to mention here, here and here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k7776254-Bahn_VS_Italia-Rome_Lazio.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k7773802-Rome_to_Munich_Via_rail-Rome_Lazio.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k7779559-Rome_to_Munich_night_train-Rome_Lazio.html

Let's solve the problem...

Vueling .com

Rome-Munich Dec 17th 14:25-16:00 direct 1H35m E33,83

Now that's cheap!

Hang loose, my friend.
You'll be fine at the Termini station.
I wish LEast Palo Alto was that safe around here.

I appreciate all the help and while stirring up a fire storm with some people, at least it put my mind at easy.(GRIN) This is my Wife's first trip to Rome, so I don't need to go into a hornets nest. I've traveled extensively, mostly in the USA and had a few scrapes, but again the Rome Terminal is a new experience, and I want all to be pleasant for my wife.

As far as the views are concerned I looked at a couple of small You Tube videos and while OK, there was nothing to keep me riveted to the window of the train for 10 hours. I'm coming to the conclusion that we either need to suck it up and take a cheap flight, but there are no morning flights with Veiling. Our goal is to get their early so we have the extra day to use.

I am amazed using some of the price sites for flights to see them as cheap as $30 to over $3000 for the same destination. AMAZING!

Right now, due to wanting to get to Munich Early, we would have to fly out on the 17'th on a 2:00 flight on Veiling or take the train over night and be there early the next morning. Seat size for the Wife might be an issue. I noticed on a schematic about having a few nicer seats for a price, but then making sure you get them on Veuling!!???

The Airlines I notice have some really cheap prices on some carriers, but many times even months out they are solid booked on the cheap flights! like some discounter buying them all up. Even Lufthansa has some special deals on certain days, and they are all booked months in advance! No luck for the little guy!

Well, I think with all the great information you've gotten on your numerous posts you should be able to figure out a solution. Posting the same questions again and again won't get you different responses.

Donna

OK, I'm puzzled... if you leave on the train on the 17th and go overnite, you get there on the 18th.

If you leave on the 17th by plane, you get there the same day.

Anyone can stand a smaller seat for such a short flight.

The cost and time savings make this a no brainer!!!

If you are STILL in need of info re Termini station in Rome: go to the BEST Rome Tutorial EVER in English:
roninrome.com He's a U.S. citizen living in Rome and does Brilliant Tutorials with videos and pictures.

If you can't use the train/buy tickets after using this website...........there's no hope for you (Grin :-)) !!!

Roninrome.com is a great site but he has been in Atlanta for a couple of years after going from Rome to Amsterdam. But still good info.

The flights I found on the 18 where leaving after 2 in the afternoon and got there around 4. The train by leaving on the 17'th late got there at 6:30, but left at 7PM so we had more time to tour Rome before the train ride. Of course we could leave on 17 by plane, but the lost time in Rome.

Really it's a moot point now. Checking round trip flights and someone told me this earlier, I just couldn't believe there was such a difference in price round trip vs one way. We have our solution.

Thanks to all for all the help and we still needed the information on the terminal, because we plan on trying the ride to Pompeii and I now plan on using the train more in Germany and maybe a jaunt to Prague.

This will probably be our last trip to Europe ever, at our age. Although never say never. But I want it to be special for the Wife and I. While I know I ask many questions, better now, sitting with the AC running sitting at my computer, than have the aggravation of getting there and not being prepared!

Again thanks. Couldn't have done it without all your advice!!!

Dan Mascheck

To Frank and Donna, Donna I have been all over Georgia and love your state, but there are parts I'm not fond of!(GRIN)

I live SW of Houston 50 miles. Parts of Houston like the 5'th Ward are pretty tough. Lived in Memphis for 9 1/2 years and they have the Orange Mound District and the south side of Chicago can be like a war zone, so I am not naïve about what can happen in the USA!(GRIN)

All the emails have paid off for me. May have been a pain for you, but it has given me the confidence to use the train way more than I ever did before!

We flew into Frankfurt several years ago and spent over a month in the area. Leased a car from Auto Europe and drove 5000 miles all over Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, and a little of Belgium. Driving I can handle and know what to expect and other than parking or having a hotel with a garage, we spent a month + and had a great time, but NEVER familiarized ourselves to trains!

After all the emails I feel quite confident, to the point we may not get a rental this time!(GRIN)

Again thanks!

Dan

Dan,

Termini is not a place to fear! I'm 68 and have been using it for the past 10 years. Just pay attention.

For Rome-Pompei

Roma Termini-Napoli Centrale 1.5hrs

At Napoli Centrale, go downstairs to the Circumvesuvian , ticket to Pompei Scavi(Villa Mistre) about 38m

As you exit the station turn right go 2 blocks to the entrance, purchase your ticket. If you wish to tour,

there several guides by the entrance who give group tours.

Schedule for the Circumvesuvian

http://www.eavcampania.it/web/sites/default/files/orariautomobilisti/Napoli_Sorrento.pdf

Have a great trip. Our hope is to enlighten.

Gerri, I appreciate the info and if we can squeeze out the time we will go. I figure it's a whole day round trip. our problem is we used a travel agent and wish we would not have. I'm a very early person and wanted to take a 6:00 flight out of Houston to Rome. She scheduled us at 4:00PM on Saturday, and we get to Rome 4:00PM Sunday. Two days shot to hell. When I saw the tickets I was ticked. Oh well, we plan on having a grand time!!

Dan

Gerri, Can you explain the time chart a bit please. I know the side column must be the stops, but the top portion, I'm confused what it means. Sorry never used a train.

Dan

This is a simple train time schedule for 24 hrs. The top line is the times that the train leaves the station on a 24 hr clock. First train at 6.11 and last train 21.41. You would leave from Napoli Garibaldi - 2nd stop down at top. All trains stop at Pompel so you do not need to worry about which train to catch. Some trains skip certain stops - where there is no time shown. The DD trains run a little quick because they make fewer stops. But since all trains stop at Pompel who cares if the train takes an extra five minutes or so. Walk downstairs, buy a ticket, validate, and get on the next train.

I am confused by your travel statement. Did you want a 6AM flight out of Houston?

Yes to the 6:00 AM flight out of Houston. We leave at 4:30 on Saturday. Not only do I waste a day on Saturday going to Rome which I understand, I don't get to Rome till around 4 on Sunday! I was not a happy camper, and because she used my card and prepaid the tickets on United, I'm stuck with them unless I want to pay a hefty penalty!

Dan

I'm confused, too. Both on United's website and on ITA Matrix, I see no United non-stops from Houston to Rome. All go through some other city with layovers, either here or in Europe.

When exactly do you leave on what flight number?

I see no connection listed that gets you to Rome at 16:00. I also saw no flights with connections to Rome that leave Houston any earlier than 07:15, and those have long (5.5-7 hours) layovers in Toronto, DC or Newark, and 17-19 hour total travel times. But without knowing when you are going except that it's on a Saturday, it's hard to figure out what happened.

I did see some flights that leave Houston at 4:20 or 3:50 pm and arrive in Rome around 14:00, with layovers in Amsterdam, Munich or Frankfurt. All those have a total travel time of about 13-15 hours.

I'm curious about this for my own flight planning in the future.

I wanted an early flight and it appears alas there is none. Ours goes through Munich. To me two days wasted. Late start in Houston and a late arrival in Rome. Oh well, time to suck it up. They could get me into Rome by 13:00, but the cost is prohibitive with the early booking! AGAIN I JUST NEED TO SUCK IT UP!(LOL)

We have worked out our problem going back to Munich, so that is resolved and we will pick up some time there, but an extra day in Rome would have been wonderful. My wife has never been there and it has been a while since I was there!

We are looking forward to it and our first tour is the Vatican. We are Catholic and I am in the Knights of Columbus, so for us, it's a must see. Also, thanks to this website, I found out about the underground tour of the Necropolis and got accepted. Seeing the tomb of St Peter is a once in a lifetime thing for us!

Thanks Dan from Texas

Dan, enjoy your trip and post something to let us know how it went.

This is exactly why I don't use travel agents any more. Best wishes.

Thank you all and I will when we get back in January. I really wish we were going late November, but with the Wife's job, teaching nursing, they have finals and the 13'th is the earliest in December. I know by all the emails I feel better about the train and maybe less likely to rent a car like the last time although that worked well.

Again thanks to all! I wish you my best in your next journey!

Dan