Hi:
We finish our Italian trip in Rome from 6 October to 10 October. We are trying to decide where to stay and so far have narrowed our choices to Trastevere area or Hotel Sonya near Termini. What are the pros and cons for these areas? This is our first time in Rome. We will arrive by train from the Cinque Terre and our flight to London departs FCO at 08:00.
Thanks
David
I always stay near Termini because I like walking to my hotel in a minute. The Office I use manages five lodgings near Termini. Some are across Via Marsala, on Via Milazzo, and some one and two blocks away.
Very economical, budget price available, nice clean rooms, big private bathroom, great WiFi and TV in rooms, good comfy mattresses. Big yummy breakfast.
I like being near the taxi stand, bus terminal, and all the amenities of Termini. Area is busy but safe.
PM me for contact info.
i too would stay near Termini. I didnt feel unsafe at any time. we have stayed twice at Hotel Corot. Comfy rooms and good breakfast.
If your flight departs at 6, you probably will need a taxi to the airport, so there's no advantage to staying near Termini for that reason. I would prefer Trastevere or Prati if you want something outside the Centro Storico.
I have stayed in both areas. I would choose Trastevere. Very charming area. Convenient for walking to many areas, including Vatican. Lots of restaurant choices.
Opinions about the Termini area vary on this Forum. I'm in the negative camp, particularly for a stay of several days. And Zoe's point is a good one - you're probably going to take a taxi to the airport rather than the Leonardo Express train, so proximity to the station is not as helpful as it is for others.
You can get to the airport from Trastevere as well on the regional train every 15 minutes and it takes 23 minutes. It also costs less than the Leonardo Express. If you come in to Rome from the CT via the coast route. the regional trains also stop at Trastevere, although the IC train stops at Ostiense and you have to back track a bit. The Freccia trains go direct to Termini.
Both aren't exactly walking distance from Rome's major sights. Trastevere is more quaint and has a small town feel. Termini area makes you feel you are in a large burstling city but is more convenient for the metro. Both are generally safe, but at the station there are sometimes some unsavory characters, such as the gypsy kids. If you choose Termini, stay in the area near the Opera House/Viminale palace (area south west of station). The Viminale is the seat of the Ministry of the Interior which oversees the State Police, therefore is very safe, there are hidden security cameras and police patrols all around it.
The taxi ride to the airport is shorter from Trastevere (however not by much), but taxi fare is the same.
Personally I never saw the attraction of Trastevere. It just seemed to be somewhat distanced from Rome Historical Center and required me to do more traveling. Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, Pantheon areas are in the center of the historical area if that's what you're looking for. Personally we been staying at the Hotel Napoleon at the Vittorio Emanuele metro station. You literally walk up the stairs from the metro and the hotel entrance is 15 steps in front of you. We love the Napoleon because it's a family run hotel with super friendly workers and nothing is too big or small for them to handle for you. Roberto and family will look after you nicely.
I am one of those who Hate the Termini area. I don't like the "unsavory" types that hang around train stations (it seems) in every area of the world. If I were on a flight that departed at 8am, I'd stay at the airport. But if Termini/Trastevere were the question, for sure I'd choose Trastevere.
I've always spent my night before departure IN Rome, had an early dinner, a last look around, a bit of weeping for having to leave, but on the last trip, visited Rome for 3 nights (4th time) at the beginning of the trip, ended in Sicily, flew to Rome and spent the night before the U.S. at one of the local airport hotels and actually enjoyed the little town. Had a nice walk along the boat docks, and enjoyed a nice early meal and took the early shuttle (15 mins) to the airport for departure..Didn't worry about getting stuck in traffic, etc.
We stayed at Casa San Giuseppe in Trastevere before and after a RS South Italy tour and found it to be the perfect location for us. Very easy to get a taxi, yet close enough that we walked back from St. Peter's and the Vatican, to and from the Forum and Colosseum. We walked across the Tiber to Campo de' Fiori, Piazza Farnese, etc. Trastevere itself is fun, quaint, and the staff at San Giuseppe was wonderful. Easy taxi ride to the airport when we sadly left to return to reality.
Of the two, I would choose Trastevere over Termini. We have been to Rome 5x and first time stayed at Hotel Italia off Via Nazionale. The rest of the visits we have rented apartments either near Campo di Fiori, Piazza Navonna or the Pantheon which were all great locations. Enjoyed several dining spots in Trastevere. Have a great trip!
We have stayed in Trastevere with elementary school aged kids and found it was not an issue to walk to the Vatican, the Colloseum or any of the main historical sites. Mind you our kids will willingly walk 5-7 miles a day.
Sam, the OP's flight leaves at 6am, so the Leonardo Express is not an option.
Their flight leaves at 8. There is a 5:21 Regionale departing Trastevere that gets to Fiumicino at 5:48 for 8 euro.
Oops, sorry, Sam.
The differing opinions on the proximity to major sights from Trastevere boggles my mind. I'm staying there in 2 months, and I was told it is definitely walkable to major attractions, now I'm hearing it's not?
All depends on how you or someone else defines "walkable." But look at a map. You decide. I view Trastevere as kind of walkable to the Vatican but little else. The Termini area is more walkable to central Rome but not the Vatican. It is a solid hour or a bit more to Vatican from the Termini area but everything else is between the Vatican and Termini. The Vatican is not the core of central Rome. Our personal preference (and it is personal preference) is Hotel Sonya just south by a couple of blocks from Termini.
Whether you stay near Termini or Trastevere, it's quite a walk to many sights therefore, unless you are willing to walk a lot, you have to take some public transportation (metro, bus, tramway, taxi) which is available from both locations.
If you stay in the historical center you are closer to more sights but some (Colosseum, Caracalla, Vatican) will likely still require some use of public transportation. Rome is big, so you can't have 100% of the sights within walking distance, no matter where you stay.
