On a 7-day trip to Rome, we will be travelling by train once to Pompeii and by subway once to Ostia Attica. Then we will depart via train for another week in Florence. All departures will be between 8 and 9 am. My question is about the best location for a hotel. I have read less than glowing reviews of the area around Termini station and the hotels there. It would be convenient to walk from a hotel near the station, but on the last trip we will have luggage (one bag each). Would it be just as easy to go in a taxi from a hotel in a better neighborhood to the train station? We would spend up to 200 euros per night for a nice room. We are in our 70s and seek comfort and ease of travel above all.
Posted by
Little Rock, AR
105 posts
From my experience, the Termini area was a bit of a mixed bag. Yes, we were close to the Termini, and we got a nice room for the price. The down side was that to get to the Termini, we had to walk through a sketchy area with several drunks just sitting around, and then make a harrowing street crossing. My bottom line is that if you have a Metro station nearby your hotel, you have most anything the Termini could offer. Others may well have had better experiences in that area. Happiest of travels to you.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Peggy, I've never had a problem in the Termini area, and in fact I prefer to stay in that area. Trastevere is nice also, but it's not as convenient for transportation. I've found "scammers" in various parts of Rome trying to sell cheap umbrellas and other trinkets, but I don't find them to be a problem. However, be sure to wear a Money Belt! Happy travels!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Okay, you didn't exactly ask this, so feel free to ignore. Do you realize that seeing Pompeii from Rome as a daytrip is a pretty exhausting proposition? It's several hours each way, and the time at the site will also wear you out. I suggest doing Ostia Antica first (very easy one-hour trip from Rome on train), and then decide if you still want to do Pompeii. And if I were you, I would stay at a nicer hotel than you'll find around the Termini, and take a taxi to the terminal. You might also consider taking a taxi from your hotel to the Ostia train station (it's near the Piramide stop).
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
I am with Ken. We have stayed in the Termini area six times and have yet to see a drunk on the street or even a homeless person. It is a bustling, hustling, commercial area with a lot of people coming and going because Termini is the hub of the transportation system for Rome. The traffic is bad but it is pretty bad in all of Rome. A wide range of decent restaurants is in the area. Also like it because there are a couple of self service laundries in the same area. The hotels we used are excellent by our standards but you can pay more if you like, We are in our late sixties and have never had a problem or was worried. We have been on the streets as late as mid-night and had lots of company.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
Last trip I stayed with at a convent 4 blocks from Termini and it's where I'll be staying on future trips. It was the convent of the Suore di Santa Elisabetta, Via dell'Olmata 9. It is 1/2 block from a TI booth, market, cafes, and taxi stand; 2 blocks from Metro. I felt absolutely safe and was traveling alone and in winter (therefore out well after dark by myself). If you know Rome, it is 1/2 block from Santa Maria Maggiore (to the left when standing in the piazza facing the basilica). Only one of the sisters spoke English, if that's a problem. And if you want a little more luxury than a convent and see a hotel nearby, I think you could feel quite safe with the neighborhood.
Posted by
OP
Lubbock, Texas
89 posts
Thanks for the advice. My favorite location in Rome is around the Pantheon so I decided to forgo the area around the train station and booked a week in a lovely hotel with windows looking out at the Pantheon. We will then rely upon taxis for most of our transportation. Michael, I hope the trek to Pompeii won't be too much, but it's a must for my husband and I have reservations for 2 locked houses he has not seen.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
The Pantheon is one of our favorite buildings in Rome. With windows overlooking the Pantheon, I suggest you take along some earplugs, since that piazza is fairly active until late into the evening. Have a wonderful time!
Posted by
Marlborough, MA, USA
144 posts
look for something on via cavour...runs right on the subway line so you can get the train station and to many other major sites right off the subway and even offers a nice street to walk down to the imperial highway and ruins. spent a whole weekend on via cavour and never felt like i was to far from any one place
Posted by
Germantown, MD
111 posts
You probably could take a taxi to Termini for less than 10 euros from most places. Then you could pick a place near a particular sight that you are most interested in instead...
Posted by
Eldersburg, Maryland, USA
7 posts
There is a taxi stop to the right side of the Pantheon (if you are facing it), and they are fairly inexpensive to use! The Pantheon will be a gorgeous place to stay close to, pop in it early in the morning because that is when it is truly magical!! (aka no one else is there!)