Tips for Traveling Rome subway

As your from Toronto I assume you've used its subway system, and your accustomed to this form of public transit. If you use the same precautions you would use in your hometown, the Rome Subway shouldn't be any more of a problem. Use a money belt, and be aware of your surroundings , and you'll be fine.

I've never had a problem on the Rome Metro or trains (or anywhere else in Italy) but you can sometimes stand back and watch a pickpocket looking for something to lift (true almost anywhere in the world). Many of the folks who get targeted are just unaware of what is going on - they put their bags on the floor and close their eyes, have the camera just sitting in their lap, put wallet in a visible pocket... Just wear your moneybelt and assume that anything in your pockets might be swiped. If you have a bag with you, try to wear it across your body and hold on to it and don't place it right by the door. If you are aware of your surroundings shouldn't have any problems... The train from FCO to Roma Termini is NOT scary.

The train from the airport to the station at Termini is not an underground train. There will be signs indicating "Termini" to find your way to the train platform. We had no problem and if memory serves me correctly, it takes about 1/2 hour to arrive at Termini. We travelled the underground from Rome to Ostia on a weekend and you do have to be wary as there is a definite lack of "personal" space.

A little perspective -- please !!! We have spent about three weeks in Rome during the past two years. Have yet to see my first pickpocket. A couple of unsavory characters but they could have been American tourists also. The train from the airport is not a subway and is full of travelers and tourist. No problems. The subway in Rome doesn't go to many good places so you probably will use buses and taxi a lot more. It is not a lot different than any other big city. Act like you know where you are going. Dress conservatively and DON'T be distracted. If something doesn't look right, move away. Say NO THANK YOU or Nein firmly and move on. Min your luggage and make sure all zippers are secure. You will be fine. Most people are.

I took the train from the airport to the Termini and as a solo woman, had no problem. Once I got to the Termini I stoped and bought a bottle of water (and ask the worker how to get to the main section of the station) so I was not in the huge big wave of a crowd that came off the train. I was more able to be aware of what was going on around me. I was not pick pockted but one of the guys on the RS tour was. He made the mistake of putting $105 Euros in his front pocket and didn't keep his hand in his pocket, but other than that... I didn't feel like I was going to be ripped off. I got very lost my first night but for some reason I must have looked like I knew where I was going as I was asked directions in Italian. Then I saw a woman about my age and asked her if she spoke English or Spanish (my 2 languages) and she spoke both. She gave me good directions and I was on my way. I am not trying to scare you, I am just saying you are from a big city and you should be fine. :)

I too took the train as a solo female from Termini to FCO and had no issues - as prior posts said, keep your eyes open and be alert. Depending on where your hotel in Rome is located and how you deal with jet lag, you might consider the probably expensive but worth it cab fare from Termini to your hotel. After that, you won't have your big bag and will probably have a more manageable day pack. I saw many gypsy-type folks on the subway (one even stuck her hand in a tourmate's pocket) but we all had money belts. Wear your day pack on the front, esp. on the bus and trains.

Not all signs have English, some have pictures but many do not, so learn the basic Italian for the signs you'll need. Enter/exit (entrata/uscita), men/women bathrooms (uomini/donne). Also, it helps to have simple phrases like how to ask for a ticket please (un biglietto per favore) and how to say scram really loud at a pickpocket (Basta = enough, Sparisca = get lost, or Aiuto = help me).

As others have pointed out, the train from the airport to Termini is NOT the subway. It is a train, and is pretty safe. Some signs are in both English and Italian, but again, know basic directional Italian to make your travels easier.

When you arrive at Termini, you should be aware of your surroundings, as with any travel. The train from the airport arrives at a side rail, you have a walk to get to the main terminal! (a 10 min walk to get to the front of the station)

We rode the subway everyday of our last trip, and had no problems.
Walk to the END of the platform to board a car, don't board in the middle cars...that's where the biggest crowds are....don't be lazy, take a walk to find the least crowded cars, and you should be OK.

Emily, as they say...calmo, calmo. Single female traveller; I never have a problem.. I agree with Frank - put things in perspective. My sister says, when I visit her in NYC, 'Don't look like a tourist and look like you know where you are going'. So just be as sensible as you would in any metropolis. Happy travels.

Emily, the Rome Metro was very straightforward and easy to use. There are signs in English (even the ads on the Metro video system were in Italian and English). I did not see one pickpocket but made sure to stay alert. You'll be fine.

Yes there are quite a number of pickpockets and scammers in Rome--just like any other major city. Pickpockets are only after your "stuff"-- and mean you no physical harm. So all you have to do is keep your important "stuff" out of their reach. Start with some sort of hidden pouch or money belt. I use something very similar to the silk neck wallet Rick sells. I keep tickets passport ccard atm card money etc in it.

We do keep a few euros in a front pocket sometimes for easy access. I have a small purse that holds my camera that I simply hold onto in crowds.

Leave expensive or sentimental jewelry at home. We travel with one bag each--- yes it can be done and once you've done it you'll NEVER GO BACK. Check message boards on one bag travel.

Keep valuables to a minimum and out of reach
Be vigilant in crowds
Make a scan of your pport ccards + # to report lost cards bring a copy with you + email a copy to yourself easy to get in case of emergency.

BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN

Aww, you guys are awesome. Deffinately like the "bugger off" in Italian (have to use that). I take the subway in Toronto daily, so I'm sure it'll be the same idea... I just heard that people really "target" you in Rome. But whatevs, it's probably just a little bit of pre-flight jitters. Grazi!

There are only two lines in Rome, so it's very easy to navigate.

From personal experience pay attention to closing times, they aren't always the same for both lines.

Also watch for construction activity that may temporarily close a line.

I've run into each and had to choose between extra walking or a cab.

I used to take the subway everyday to work in Rome. Nothing ever happened. No one stole my wallet nor did I ever find someone's hand where it shouldn't be. Just be alert, like you would if you were in NYC. If you see someone sitting on the ground of the station they are probably pan handling, so go around them. Just be aware of where your stuff is and who is around you and you will be fine. There aren't armies of pickpockets who come on trains and leave people in their underwear, honestly. And, as it had already been said, the train from FCO to Termini is NICE, and above ground. You'll be fine.

Emily - most people report not seeing pickpockets, but if they were easily spotted they wouldn't be very good at their jobs. We saw one on the subway (only because the woman being robbed discovered it and started yelling) and we stumbled into a group of 4 men and one pregnant woman working a piazza (sp). We we alert to them because my wife got robbed going into the TI outside of the train station in Florence. That said, we still enjoyed our visit and would do it again - hopefully a little smarter.

When I arrive at Rome airport, the first thing I do after passport control and getting my bags, is go into the washroom, and put on my moneybelt right away; with my passport, credit card and bankcard and most of my cash in too.
Then I just keepenough for train or cab in to the city with me, and I feel safer right away.
Just be alert, watch your bags at all times, and have a great trip!!

I wear my moneybelt from home so I am not arriving in Rome or any other place before getting that item strapped on. There is plenty of time on the plane for re-organizing the contents of the moneybelt. The airport bathroom would be a good place to store your passport and make sure you have all your stuff and know where it is. Jetlag fogs the brain, so it is best to really focus on keeping organized that first day. Carry 10-20 Euros in a pocket so you have available money. On arrival in Rome I find the Tabacchi shop and buy at least two Metro tickets, so I am prepared for travel. Having an extra Metro ticket lets me hop onto the Metro without having to go find a place to buy a ticket when I am ready to travel. The Rome Metro tends to be very crowded, but I have never felt unsafe.