will be cruising in the spring and unfortunately the schedule puts us in rome on may 1. we dock in civitavecchia and are in port for about 10 hrs. in the mediterranean cruise ports book you recommend public transport over other methods to get to rome. we have already pretty much decided on only doing the heart of rome tour since practically nothing will be open on this day. do you still advise using the trains/metros/trams/buses on this holiday or would a cruiseline-sponsored transport to the city be the better option? i am envisioning a very bad situation and possible strike and crowds and yadda yadda. we are not afraid to use the public system, but do not want to get left behind either. thanks for any advice.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
trains should work, and so taxis.
city buses not so sure
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
If you take the cruise-tour, my understanding is that the ship will wait for you.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11851 posts
Our experience is that the buses run in the morning and evening, but they have some sort of a break or meeting in the afternoon. Seems they shut down about 13:00 and maybe restart around 17:00. take a taxi instead.
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
If you have a limited time I would hire a car. I found buses are a bit confusing and schedules uncertain. You have a limited time so I wouldn't waste a minute trying to figure out public transportation.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Don't drive in Rome: apart from the usual traffic, one way roads, lack of free parking and camera controlled ZTL areas (where only residents are allowed to drive in), on May 1 they could also close some streets for unions' rallies and so on.
Trains arrive in the center, you won't need buses in such a short time but your feet, the metro and maybe a couple of cabs.
Ps nobody strikes during national holidays like May 1, either they are on vacation or they get more money to stay at work.