Taxis in Rome

It's a fixed rate fare from the airport to the city.

Cost is 48 euros. The drive will take 30-40

minutes dependent on traffic.

I've never arrived in the evening, so am unsure

of an evening surcharge.

Confirm the fare with the driver before you get it/before you agree to go. Ask if that's the complete price, including any extra charges.

Taxi meter displays vary, but think of maybe the size of numbers on a microwave oven display - they often look like that (often in red LED displays).

As long as you have confirmed the fare in advance, you should have no trouble. Sit in the back seat and relax.

Before a trip, I use print-at-home business cards to make cards with hotels and their addresses and phone numbers. Easy to show to the driver, rather than use possibly bad pronunciation.
Perhaps you could do that, and add a line about the expected price. And ONLY go to the official taxi stand.

As someone mentioned use only the official taxi rank. There are usually a number of unofficial drivers hustling for fares. With those thought in mind, you might want to consider a private car service. As a rule they only cost a small bit more than a regular taxi. There is nothing better than having a private driver meet you inside the terminal and take you to the hotel. We've used Rome Cabs (not a cab company despite the name) numerous times and have always been pleased. Send an email detailing your needs and you should get a quote within twenty four hours. Just google them to get their web site. If you reserve with them, you might want to ask them to have the sign with your name a little larger than normal so you don't have a problem spotting your driver.

She is arriving at Termini ( train station) not the airport.
Why don’t you arrange a private pickup with a set rate at booking if you are so worried?
Personally, I would take taxi. Is there a taxi line with an agent there at the train station? If so, he or she could check about the price and meter.

Yes, private pickup is exactly what I was thinking. Or have your hotel arrange a pickup for you.

I know you have read or hear about all the scams but the reality is that most taxi drivers are honest. We have taken dozens of cabs in Rome and never had a problem. There is a taxi que at the train station. Given the starter you hotel and address and ask the estimated fare. Being able to watch the meter isn't going to prevent a scam.

I would be amazed if the tax driver were to tell you in advance what the fare would be. I've never had luck with that. They just say "it will be what it will be." If you tell us where your hotel is we can tell you about how much the fare will be. (Are you flying into Fiumicino and taking the train into Rome? Or are you arriving by train at Termini from some other location in Italy?)

Thank all of you for your responses. I am wanting to take a taxi from Termini train station to Hotel Oceania at Via Firenze 38. It is such a short distance (I'm guessing less than a mile) that I don't know if a private company would do it for a reasonable price. I am flying into FCO, but I do NOT want to take a taxi from the airport for 2 reasons: 1) I really enjoy riding trains and don't mind paying for it, and 2) the price of the taxi will be cheaper from Termini than from the airport. I know where my hotel is so I will know if they are taking a longer route just to charge me extra. I guess I would confront them with that immediately, but I can't necessarily prevent it. So if they take a longer route and charge me a lot more than it should be, what do I do? Also, if I can't see the meter they may turn it off just before I arrive and tell me it cost more than it did. It would be great if they would give me a price before I get in, but as has been pointed out, they may refuse to do that.

Because you are so fearful, I suggest you book a transfer from the airport and hang the expense. You will be quoted a price on line so seeing the meter will not be a worry, and a nice driver will be waiting for you with your name on a card. Do it ..... you will not regret it.

How about Uber? We were there a couple of years ago and cabs lined up, drivers didn't seem interested and quoted too much. We tried Uber and were very happy. That was not from the airport though, so don't know if it is a different situation or not....

Your hotel is a 15 minute walk. We stayed a block away (Hotel Aberdeen) and never had any concern about safety in that area.

Taxi fare likely to be 5 - 10 euro at night

Ask your hotel what the fare should be.

I am sorry but your are creating too many windmills. Taking a fixed rate taxi from the airport solves a lot of problems. You can ride the train later. It will conveniently take you from the airport to your hotel without any threat of a scam. Cannot scam you or take the long way or the short way and the meter makes no difference. Since you have been to Rome before, surely you have some feel for Rome. I really think you are over processing this.

We stood in the taxi line at the train station and a man came up to us, took us to his white van in the taxi line and put our luggage in the back. We were on our way to the hotel and noticed no meter. We were about a seven minute drive from the train station and he charged us 38€! We still weren't sure we were ripped off but we were afraid to take a taxi after that thinking it was so expensive. We had to take a taxi for an early morning Vatican tour and had the hotel get our taxi. It was much further and only 7€! I could not believe we were scammed! I read all the warnings here! It just all happened so fast! The hotel arranged a private car to the airport for us and it was much further and only 50€, only a few Euros higher than a taxi. If possible, I would contact your hotel and see if they can arrange a car or taxi to pick you up. Or, e-mail them and see what they recommend.

Perhaps your hotel can arrange a pickup for you. But I have to agree with other posters, I think the best thing to do, given your concerns, is to take a taxi from the airport.

Hi Patricia,

Please take a browse at this link https://www.romewise.com/taxi-in-rome.html

Ooops! Long hard day and didn't notice you were thinking of a taxi from Termini. Thank you Suki for catching my mistake. We've also taken cabs from there and never had a problem. Just use the official taxi rank.

Thank you Girasole 'Volare' for the extremely informative link. I thank everyone else who has given their opinion as well. I have not decided for sure yet but, since I am on a budget, I will probably just do what I have done in the past: take the bus from Termini and then walk the rest of the way to my hotel.

"I will probably just do what I have done in the past: take the bus from Termini and then walk the rest of the way to my hotel. "

That's a good plan, since you've been there before and know the way. You also know that at 10 PM, central Rome is still hopping; it's quite busy on the main streets.

My hotel suggested the White taxis just outside the terminal.

Thank you Girasole 'Volare' for the extremely informative link.

You are very welcome, Patricia.

I'm from Boston. To me, when I first set foot in Rome, I "felt at home." I love it. I hope you do too -- guess so with 3 visits, lol. I like to say, "it's a walking museum in itself."

I stayed about a ten minute walk from Termini (twice at the same hotel) with no issues coming from city centre or the bus depot at Termini. You probably know that the police and military are stationed in and around Termini and other key areas of Rome.

Just keep a big city awareness, and you should be fine. I found Italians and locals alike to be very friendly and welcoming --- made a few friends.