traveling into Rome from hilltowns

Are any of the four children? If yes, what are the ages? It is not expensive for 4 to ride on the train from Orvietto. It costs 7.10Euro per adult one-way 2nd class on the lower-category R train. It's 3.55Euro for a child 4-12. 2nd class on the R train is usually not air-conditioned but it's only an 1hr.20min ride. I suppose you could drive closer to Rome before picking up a train but there are tolls on the highway and the cost of extra fuel to consider.

According to mappy.com, Soriano nel Cimino is halfway between Orvieto and Rome. Soriano is actually closer to Civita Castellana where you can get a train into Rome--1 hr. ride (same as from Orvieto). Last year, we parked the car in a free parking lot at the Orvieto train station and took the train into Rome--worked out great. Can't remember how much it cost for the 3 of us on the train. It wasn't bad for 2nd class. Have fun!

Thanks for the great info! My kids will be 12 and 14 at the time we travel. I appreciate knowing there is a train station that might make more sense than Orvieto. I didn't realize that. Part of my question has to do with whether we stay IN Rome for a couple days, or whether we travel to Soriano nel Cimino and take the train in. I don't want to think I'm saving money by staying in a small town and then pay more just to hop on a train a couple times.

I faced this same question (particularly your second post: Stay in small town and take train everyday, or stay in Rome). I decided to leave my car in Orvieto and stay in Rome for three nights. I made the decision based on a previous trip. We traveled from Orvieto to Rome for one day and had such a good time. On that trip, we could only spend a day and it worked out beautifully. However, we missed out on experiencing the city at night and I really just want to have more time to enjoy the city on this trip. Traveling by train takes up at least two hours a day and the train ride home (when you are exhausted) seems long and tiring. Also, getting around the large train station in Rome can be taxing. Overall, it just creates a different experience than being able to stay in Rome and relax. I would price some places to stay in Rome and see if you can make it happen. For a family of four, you might try to rent an apartment. (try sleepinitaly.com-they have apartments as low as 100 euros and up for 4) or cross-pollinate.com (not as fancy, more for people with lower expectations) Whatever you decide, I am sure you will have a wonderful trip.
P.S. I checked my journal for the price we paid in 2003 and am a little confused by my own notes. In one place I wrote that we paid about $22 for both of us to go to Rome, and towards the end of the daily entry I wrote that the total cost for train and Metro passes for the day were about 50 euros. Our Metro passes were about 6.50 euros, which would mean we paid 44 euros total for two people to go round trip to Rome. We did take an express train (when you only have one day, you save time where you can, even if it means paying more. I think when I wrote $22 I meant 22 euors but who knows. Hope this helps

Connie,
Your explanation is really helpful. This is exactly what I'm looking for to help me make a decision. Part of the decision is cost and part of my dilemma is that my husband doesn't like the stress of crowds and commotion. (We are both faculty members at a college and live in the woods in northern Minnesota - about as peaceful as you can get.) So I thought if we stayed outside of Rome, it would feel more peaceful and less stressful. I'm wondering now, after reading your post, if it's even more exhausting to take the train back and forth than to just stay in the city....

I haven't stayed outside of Rome, but my personal opinion is that you might want to stay in Rome for at least 2 nights.

Part of the experience of visiting Rome is being in the city--at all hours. For me personally, I think the hassle of commuting wouldn't be worth it. What if you are busy seeing something or want to have a special late dinner, but can't because you have to catch a train?

Some people hate being in Rome, but lots of people, including me, love it. You'll figure out pretty quickly for yourselves which catagory you fall into. If you end up hating it, it's only 2-3 nights and you'll know never to do that again. If you fall in love with Rome, you'll be kicking yourselves for staying further out and missing out on some of the experience of being in the city.

I also suggest staying in Rome .Nights at the Trevi,Spanish Steps and just the night walk from Campo di Fori to the Spanish steps ,especially after the tour bus crowd has gone back to their 5 star hotels, is excellant.

Cindy - not sure what time of year you are coming to Rome and that does make a difference in the level of crowds... That said, you MUST stay in Rome a coupe of nights! There are many parts of the city that are not touristy, and do not have the hustle of a modern capital. You would probably have to stay at a pensione (B&B), apartment, or a small hotel.

Rome at night, like many European cities is beautiful - and safe! To see the colosseum lit up at night is an unforgettable sight! To have to ride the train in each day will be exhausting and only give you a sliver of the flavor of the Eternal City! Previous posts are correct; it is a two hour trip in and out... and that's not counting time waiting on the train. That time would be better served walking along the Tiber eating a gelato or granite'.

In the summer there are many exhibits at night. Currently they just wrapped up a month long nightly festival at Castel Sant'Angelo with music, light shows, games for the kids, shopping, etc. Still going on is the annual "festival" along the Tiber, with many stalls, restaurants, and even nightly outdoor movies. I think you would be disappointed not to have the opportunity to see these and other wonderful sites - and trust me, that train ride will get old quick - especially for your kids.

Come to Rome and enjoy the city!

Ciao,
Ron

Wow! What great information! Your feedback is really convincing me that we need to stay in Rome. I have heard that it's a mistake to tour Rome right when you arrive in Italy because of being exhausted from jet lag. I'm guessing we should head south (maybe Amalfi Coast) or somewhere else and get our bearings and then come back into the city.

Our trip will be the last 2 weeks in April and first 2 weeks in May. Any feedback on which time might be better for our Rome visit? Would there be less crowds the earlier we come? Is weather hot in May yet?

Ron, are there neighborhoods in Rome you would recommend that might not be as noisy at night, but would be safe and within walking distance of some of the sights?

Thanks again for all the help!!!

When deciding which days to be in Rome at that time of year, you need to check out when Easter falls. Rome is packed during the week preceding Easter for obvious reasons. When we were there a few years ago, it seemed as though every secondary school in western Europe had sent its students on a field trip to the Eternal City. In addition, since the majority of school systems take that week as a holiday, there were scads of families sight-seeing on their own. You didn't mention the ages of your children; but as a teacher, I advise that the more pre-trip education you do with them, the more they will enjoy the trip. There is a multitude of good books about ancient Rome for children. Likewise, there are many books about the Renaissance and about famous Renaissance figure, Leonardo, Michaelangelo, etc. Your school librarian should be able to help. Museum stores are also good sources for children's books of that sort.

Cindy - We live in Prati, a neighborhood near the Vatican. If you get off the main streets it is very quiet at night. Look into an apartment/hotel facing into an inner courthard to avoid traffic noises. You can find many "apts/hotels" located all through town that would match this environment.

Parts of Trastevere or the Centro district may be louder... but for the experience of being able to walk out your door into those environments, I'd bring earplugs if that's a concern! Again, time of year is a factor. Now, in August, our neighborhood is almost empty, as many of the smaller shops are closed.

In April/May the crowds are just starting and the weather is far cooler than in the summer. We had plenty of rain in Rome up until May 10, but have had NONE since... but this past spring was considered unusual for the amont of rain - still I would bring raingear or umbrella, etc.

In Rome, you will be safe walking at night, just use common sense. Lot's of folks will be out and about - especially during the time you are visiting! As far as what part of your "time" to see Rome... I do not think it matters and would suggest creating an itinerary that flows to avoid crossing back over your path and thus spending too much time either on the train or traveling from location to location! Good Luck!

Ciao,
Ron

Thanks again, Ron & Rosalyn! I appreciate the suggestion about education before we come. My husband and I are faculty at a college, so I agree with you wholeheartedly. Our boys will be 12 and 14. Is the week AFTER Easter also quite busy, or does it seem to be just the week before?

The weeks before AND after Easter are busy! know that Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are both holidays and almost everything (including some tourist sites) is closed!

Ciao,
Ron