Suggestion for area of Rome to stay in, based on make up of group traveling

My recommendation would be to stay in the Termini area. Convenient to the train on arrival, and many of the local buses begin at the bus hub on the square. And, of course, both metro lines pass through Termini. The is variety of decent restaurants in that area and I think there is even a small park. You could walk from Termini to Hotel Sonya just across from the Opera house. One other advantage to the Termini area since it is a major bus hub with many buses route through Termini, is that you can be just about anywhere in central Rome and see a bus with Termini in its overhead sign and know where that bus is going. So convenient if you just want to hop a bus to get back to the hotel.

Colosseo area is so so for convenience and the metro line doesn't go anywhere except to Termini or away from Rome. And I am not a big fan of the Pantheon area as it generally packed with tourists and it is some distance from the train station and you would have to take taxis there.

I’m going to be honest. With that amount of people, I still think taxi would be your best bet. That’s a whole lot of luggage to try to cram on a bus or into the metro is a short amount of time. At least with a few taxis, you’ll be able to control the speed of loading/unloading and securing the children between adults. I’m sure that’s not the exact PC answer but taxis really do seem to be the easiest bet with how large your group is.

The metro in Rome is fairly limited, though you at least you have some familiarity. I actually like their bus system but it’s tricky to get a hang of the various lines at first. They sometimes run late as well. Not a good option for arrival/departure IMO. Better just to use for exploration. There are a few lines that will get you near the Vatican.

Pantheon is a great area to stay in. We stayed off the Piazza Navona in the same area and found it very enjoyable. Colosseo also has some good options, especially off in the Monti neighborhood. Colosseo area is the closer option from the main train station.

I also recommend being near Piazza Navona and Pantheon. We use public transportation a lot in cities but never have in Rome. Taxis would be better for your group and walking around the city is very enjoyable.

Hi Stephanie,

The time of year can be a huge factor in your planning. When you mention " Arrival to Rome via train," do you mean you are coming from another part of Italy? Or, do you mean arrival to Rome from airport?

Some ideas below to consider.

I've been to Rome twice so far (in December) and have stayed in the Termini area. The hotel is cozy and tucked near a quiet street. I never heard a peep. I never felt unsafe. At times, I walked from Termini back to the hotel or from the city center.

Taking an official, Roma (white) taxi -- 48€ -- would be very expensive since the cabs are very small. Obviously, you would need a few cabs to accommodate.

eta If you're arriving at the airport and plan on taking the Leonardo into Termini, then a ride to your hotel; that would be expensive. There are shuttle vans to accommodate large parties. You may need two. If/when you book, you give the details via email. You don't need to pay until arrival day. If you need to cancel for any reason, no fee.

I can recommend the one I took both times. http://www.airportshuttlexpress.com/

Reasonable and very nice and professional drivers. By the way, the shuttle company is adjacent to the train station inside FCO.

I realize your stated preference. But, with Termini, you are close to the train station / city bus depot. The bus tickets are 1,50€ and, once validated on the bus, are good for 100 minutes of travel including a transfer to another part of the city. The metro, same euro price, is good for one ride, I believe. Metro and bus tickets can be bought at Tabacchi shops and some souvenir shops.

If you end up staying near Termini, then you could take the Leonardo Express from FCO right to Termini, and walk to your hotel. There are crosswalks and sidewalks -- pedestrian (traffic) lights so you don't need to run across the main drag.

Bus #64 can take you to many places around the city (close enough to the attractions for your party with a walking concern to walk a very short distance.) Bus #40 is an express bus that has fewer stops and takes you directly to the Vatican Area.

There are a lot of nice, inexpensive restaurants in the area as well as many attractions -- churches, Diocletian Baths which is a lovely place to explore -- entrance fee charged.

The Termini area is very walkable to many go-to sites. And, around every corner, down every street seems to be a surprise of beautiful, ancient architecture. The city of Rome is a walking museum.

I can't refer any hotel in the Colosseo or Pantheon area. Keep in mind that both areas may be on the higher side depending on time of year, hotel and its amenities, etc. The Pantheon is a lovely, lively area and the Church is active with scheduled Mass.

The Pantheon area would be closer walking to many sites, stores and main attractions.

You stated kids are coming. I saw many people with little children in strollers.

Please note. If there are "Roman gladiators," and you take a picture exclusively with them, they have been known to demand a lot of euro. I can't speak from experience but just to caution.

Watch valuables on buses and trains and tight crowds. No wallets in back pockets. No flimsy purses. A sturdy crossbody with a strong strap/zipper closure would be good.

The Pantheon area is very charming and fairly easy to get around. The bus connections are decent especially from Largo Chigi and on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Also taxi stands are convenient and there may be times some members of your party require a cab while,the rest of you walk.

From the airport, if you are concerned, I would certainly arrange transfers for your group from Rome Cabs. They can advise you — at least give a quote — for transferring everyone. They will take the “where the heck are we” out of your arrival and ensure a safe and efficient transfer. Taking the Leonardo Express for such a large group is not cheaper as for the cost of 4 people on the LE, you can arrive by private transfer and not have to deal with transit from Termini. You do NOT want to have 13 people and luggage on a Roman bus!

I would not worry about car seats. I think (locals in Rome can correct me) that taxis are exempt from car seat requirements, or ask Rome Cabs if they can supply them.

Most convenient central place to stay is Termini. Most historical place to stay would piazza navona and camp die fiori.

My perfect hotel for groups like yours is Hotel Napoleon. Older hotel with posh interiors and large group areas. Bfast big and included. Employees ALWAYS super nice and ready to bend over backwards for you. Just a stones throw from Termini, and Vittoria Emanuele metro stop is located at hotel’s front door.

You will need a taxi with all your luggage

Hi All -

Thanks for your replies. We are traveling in May 2020 and will be arriving at Termini from either Florence or Milan via train...not FCO. It would be easier if we were traveling via FCO as I would simply get a minibus or other transport to/from!

I am early enough in my travel planning to change out or reorder some destinations (we will spend a Week in Switzerland first), and I was planning to make a stop in either Lakes region or Florence on the way into Rome from Switzerland. We can consider flying from Switzerland or reorder things to make it easier logistically.

Thanks again for your advice.

This coming May?

The absolute best advice I can give you is don't try to do this by yourself. It can be totally overwhelming. Have everyone involved with research, including the 18 yr old. Divide it up, one researches trains, another restaurants, someone else attractions, Hotels, city transportation etc. This way everyone is responsible for the trip, not just YOU.

Meet, or talk these things over together. If you aren't in the same city text or email the options to each other, deciding together what works best for your group.

For however many days you're in a city, have everyone pick 1-3 sites a day they want to see
Then add up everyone's favorites. . That day the
site is the one with the most requests. Same for the second, if you're doing two.
Though it sounds chaotic, it takes some of the work load off of you.

We are traveling in May, and will be arriving at Termini from either Florence or Milan via train...not FCO.

Thanks for clarifying, Stephanie. In my above post, that is what I thought you meant, but not 100% I was understanding your post.

Navigating 13 people, two who are children, will be a challenge.

In May, I think it will be very busy with crowds including the locals who are going about their day. If you're going on a city bus or metro, it will have to be organized with "watchers at each end" to make sure all get on board. When the buses or metro arrive, people scramble to get off and on. In a mad rush, you don't want to lose anyone.

(Have you ever tried to follow a car on a highway? Drivers don't know. They cut in or whatever between you and the other. It can be easy to lose sight in a sea of people.) Are you also considering some kind of same-colored tee-shirt or something else to keep an eye on family?

I'm sure you know this but have the adults keep the name and phone number of the hotel you will be staying at.

When you write "luggage," are you bringing no bigger than a 22"?

The member who has a walking concern. Perhaps bring a folding cane to alleviate the painful side. Always use the cane on the opposite side of the pain or injury.

The streets of Rome can change in a second. You have cobblestone streets/alleys, smooth sidewalks, broken curbs that could cause a trip and fall or a twist of the ankle, protruding cobblestones. You'll have bicycles, motor scooters, people who are walking and abruptly stop...you get the idea.

You are doing this in May 2019 and doing most the planning by yourself? Wow!!! I second the vote for the Termini area, lots of hotels, restaurants and easy access to public transportation.

I was assuming you were arriving at Termini, that’s why I said you’ll need a taxi to the hotel. Just get in the official taxi rank line at the front main entrance to Termini and hop into as many taxis as you need. They don’t have to follow each other...just tell the driver the hotel you’re going to. They’ll get you there. That’s also why I suggested Hotel Napoleon because it’s only a 5-7 minute taxi from Termini.

You commented that there would be no car seats for the children....which seems to have escaped many.

Have you researched the requirements for children that age in vehicles and taxis? Not all country rules are created equal.
As much as you are traveling as a group, is it realistic to move as a herd all day every day? I would think not, but I am not your group. What about having part of the group move the luggage and some persons in a large taxi and the others use the public transport if you want lodgings near the Pantheon?

I second the vote for the Termini area, lots of hotels, restaurants
and easy access to public transportation.

A third vote here. You don't have to stay directly across the street from the station but I'd choose an accommodation that's within an easy, several-block walk. This area, while not exactly in the thick of historical stuff, has plenty of services, and Termini will offer metro service to stations near the Vatican and the Colosseum.

You won't be able to take the metro EVERYWHERE in Rome as there are no lines (yet) in a big section of the historic center but there are buses (although I wouldn't use them with 13 people + luggage). Honestly, I'll recommend just walking as much as possible as it's the best way to experience the city.

Very gently, you are very late for making May reservations for this many people so whatever area you choose, there's urgency for putting the giddyup on. Enlist the assistance of your travel partners; this is too big a task for one person, OK?

Watch these videos from the Roman Guy.
It may make your decision easier.

https://m.youtube.com

I like the Navona/Pantheon area and the Monti area. (Tim's recommend hotel is a good location)

Here is a link to taxi locations in the city. You won't have much luck just trying to flag one down. https://m.tuttocitta.it/taxi/roma

I agree with gerri about sharing responsibilities. You might consider staying in a convent. We enjoyed our stay at one near the Colosseum but I don't remember its name. To save money, you could have the couple with the children take taxis to and from the train station and maybe they could also take some of the heavier luggage while the rest of you use public transport. The less luggage everyone brings, the easier it will be. The 5 yr old could handle a very small backpack and very small rolling suitcase. And in my opinion, with this many people, overthinking is preferable to underthinking.

Gerri makes a great point. None of us (well, some of us might be) are travel agents. I have done the major planning for two trips to Europe and have sworn off doing the planning for any more that do not involve more than my immediate family.

People who don't plan aren't invested in the trip, and in the face of your well thought out plans and arrangements, are often prone to deviate from your plan, creating problems and dissention. This is a large group for planning purposes, and there needs to be a sharing of the efforts with a stipulated method of solving housing, transportation, and sightseeing disputes. Assuming everyone can read English, and that you plan to have more than one guidebook among you, now is the time to meet and brainstorm.

Realize that the children will be high maintenance, and that not everyone will want to walk to the Pantheon from wherever you are staying. Allow for deviations from the plan and from the enforced periods of togetherness. Plan to take vacations from each other, and make sure that YOU are not holding the bag when you present someone the bill for the early morning Vatican Museum tour and they complain that they really didn't want to take that early of a tour.

This will be a lot like herding cats, so make sure that the cats know that you will not be responsible for their happiness with a particular site or accommodation. Meals, especially, will require some flexibility, as while many restaurants can accommodate larger groups, not all are willing or able to do so on the spur of the moment.

I believe it was Robert Lewis Stevenson who remarked, "It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive." Travel hopefully.

Ack, everyone - May 2020! I updated my post to reflect. I’ll be reviewing the commentary. Thank you.

Check out Hotel Sonya as I recommended earlier. It is three blocks, maybe four, easy walk from Termini. The assumption is that everyone can handle their own luggage with the exception of the kids. Maybe the couple with the kids could take a taxi and the others could walk. Also need to focus on min amount of luggage for everyone. It will make life much easier all the way around.

...You won't have much luck just trying to flag one down. ..... Taxis will not respond to a hail in the street. Need to find a taxi stop for pick-up. They are frequent but you do have to look for one.

Addressing a few comments -

May 2020 is the trip.

Yes, single piece of luggage per person, along with a day bag. I told everyone to work, in the next 14 months, on their belongings fitting in a suitcase like a small roller board size.

I am planning the dates, transitions between locations / sites, hotels, and some target activities. I have input from everyone involved on where they’d like to go and what they’d like to see, but I am the only one with the specific interest ( I enjoy this, so I have not asked for help...yet...) to do the logistics planning. For example, everyone wants to see the Vatican/St, Peters and the Colosseo. I’ll make the arrangements for those on applicable....different....days, tickets, tours, etc. Travelers are currently reviewing what else they are interested in. I’m not going to really fine tune each day beyond that. We are all family so we see each other and discuss regularly!

We won’t be doing everything together. My husband and I won’t be taking the kids to the Vatican, for example, so we will be doing something else that day (especially as we’ve been there). My sister in law likes to shop, as does my mother, whereas a museum wouldn’t be their speed, so they’ll do that while others go to a museum. This is also why I want to be in a location that is relatively conducive to people exploring who might be comfortable following a map but not jumping on a bus (at first).

No - I hadn’t considered making sure everyone gets on/off whatever transportation (which is a great, great point), and there will be no colored coded T-shirt’s 😝.

I hadn’t considered making arrangements for restaurants given size of group ( a meal or meals together or split up)- which is a great suggestion.

And yes, I am considering putting everyone in taxis with the luggage with the exception of the kids, another adult, and myself and we’ll take a bus if necessary. Cabs may be exempt from requiring a car seat, but this is not something I’m super comfortable with at this point as both kids are on the small side. Maybe if there’s a growth spurt by next year, I may feel differently. Or I may feel differently next week. I just give myself space for that decision later.

Thanks again for the area suggestions and aspects of travel to consider. Much appreciated.

Just some thoughts in no particular order. You said the Colosseum is on your list, just know that (at least right now) you can’t buy more than 6 tickets together for a tour on the Coop page, which is the official website of the Colosseum. However with a group that large it might be worthwhile to look at a private tour of the Colosseum. It might even be more economical at that point! We recently stayed near the Pantheon and thought it was a great location. We could walk almost everywhere (it is so central we walked to the Colosseum as well as the Jewish quarter) and if we were tired there was a taxi stand right there. It would work great for most of your group but the concern about the car seats is valid. There was not a lot of green space in central Rome. I didn’t come across a lot of parks for kids to play in. I saw a lot of young kids chasing pigeons in plazas. We only had a family of six going but it was also 3 generations. Like you I planned one or two major excursions that people could opt to do but meals we mostly done independently. It worked well. Good luck and have fun!

I just want to emphasize that for more than one person, and when the persons in question aren't familiar with or comfortable with mass transit, using taxis to get around is a good idea. Distances in central Rome are not large, so the fares won't be too high.

In Rome, you either go to a taxi stand (often marked on maps) or you call for one (or have someone else, like your hotel or restaurant, call for one). Be aware that if you call for a taxi, the meter is started immediately upon receipt of the call, so your taxi arrives with the meter running and several extra euros already on it; this is legitimate.