I saw a tour from another company that offers a train from Vatican City to Castle Gandolfo. It only departs on Saturdays. It also includes tour of the castle. Anybody know if there is such a tour with another company?
Posted by
123 posts
Check out this option offered directly by the Vatican: http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/scegli-la-visita/ville-pontificie-e-giardini/ville-pontificie-di-castel-gandolfo/il-palazzo-apostolico-di-castel-gandolfo/in-treno-al-palazzo-apostolico-di-castel-gandolfo.html. I learned about this recently and plan to research it further for a future Rome trip activity option.
Posted by
OP
Cranston RI, USA
10 posts
This is the one I researched but it looks like only on Saturdays. We get to Rome on Sunday and leave on Friday. We will be in Italy for 3 weeks but will be traveling around.
Posted by
123 posts
Viator, Dark Rome, and City Wonders all appear to offer tours for Castel Gandolfo on Tuesdays and Fridays. So, the Tuesday tour is a possible option based on your timeline.
Dark Rome: https://darkrome.com/vatican-tours/castel-gandolfo-tour
City Wonders: https://citywonders.com/vatican-tours/castel-gandolfo-tour
Interested to get your feedback of the experience when you return, and happy planning!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16698 posts
If you are looking for a more inexpensive way to visit the palace, you can do it on your own. Regionale Trenitalia tickets from Roma Termini to Castel Gandolfo cost only 2,10 euro or so each way, and the train takes 41 minutes.
You can tour the palace for € 11.00, including audioguide. I believe the gardens are an additional ticket but if you do that, you get a break on the Palace ticket.
Some other useful info:
http://www.museivaticani.va/content/dam/museivaticani/pdf/visita_musei/scegli_visita/ville/Visita_palazzo_apostolico_en.pdf
Opening/closing hours:
http://www.museivaticani.va/content/dam/museivaticani/pdf/visita_musei/scegli_visita/ville/calendario_ville_pontificie.pdf
From what I understand, there are a fair amount of steps to climb from the train station up to the palace, and I'm seeing estimates of about a 10-minute walk altogether. Hopefully, someone who has done it independently can chime in!
Posted by
OP
Cranston RI, USA
10 posts
We have done that last year but the castle was closed. We spent time down by the lake and then walked up to the castle. It was a pleasant walk and a beautiful town. I even went into town hall and spoke with the workers. I work in local govt. so we had plenary to talk about. We took the train from Rome and loved it. We are going back in September and will revisit. Thanks
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I have done the regular regional train ride (easy), the walk up the hill/stairs (uphill but not otherwise hard), and the visit of the Apostolic Palace with audio guide. If this is all you do, it is NOT worth the trip, in my opinion. You can look at pictures of popes at home. The only reason to go would be if you can also visit the gardens and/or private apartments.
Posted by
34 posts
My husband and I were thinking of doing a day trip to castel gandolfo, more for just looking around town and maybe renting a paddle boat on the lake. Anyone have any insight into this idea? Unfortunately, there's nothing in Rick's Italy or Rome guidebooks about the Castelli Romani (or whatever...is that even the same general area as Castel Gandolfo? Confusing.)
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16698 posts
aipease1, it's possible that no one has any more information than was provided to your same question back in March.
But it might be helpful to start a NEW thread with your question? With it buried here in a post about Castel Gandolfo, travelers who might have some experience with Castelli Romani will likely miss it.