What to do near the Rome Termini for a few hours

Where is the hotel?

The area around the train station offers nothing. You can jump on the metro after checking your bags and just go walk in central Rome for a bit before heading back. This will allow you to clear your mind, and get a lay of the land for when your daughter arrives. Just walking around, getting a slice of pizza, or a gelato will get you ready for your adventure. Most of the major sites we like to see are really close. Maybe find the Pantheon and sit by the fountain and people watch? Or do the same by the Trevi fountain? The Metro can take you to the Colosseum, and from there you can walk to lots of sites in a few hours. you can even walk from the train station, but it's a bit further. the 1.5E fare is probably worth it.

I am in a similar situation - spending a night near Terminii after flying in from Canada and before flying out to Athens the next morning. I am planning on visiting the National Museum of Rome and the Baths of Diocletian both of which are just over the road from the station. According to another posting on this site, it takes about an hour to clear customs/immigration at the airport, especially first thing in the morning when all the transatlantic flights get in. Then you have to get into Rome. If you are planning on taking the train you need to allow at least 1 hour (trains go every 30 mins and take 35 mins) and then walk to the hotel. Ask your hotel about early check-in so you can have a shower to wash off the grunge of flying and maybe consider having an early lunch before heading out sight seeing....you will feel way more refreshed and more likely to be able to keep going with the group in the evening.

I am inclined to agree with Ellen. If you can stay outside you will fight jetlag better. Taking the Metro to Colosseo is a great idea. Then walk down Via Fori Imperiali, see Trajan's Market, etc. There's also the Hop On Hop Off bus, but I fear I would fall asleep on a bus after a long flight. If it is raining, the National Museum is a great idea, and is spectcular. The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the Baths of Diocletian is worthwhile, too. If you are buying a Roma Pass, the National Museum is included, as is use of the Metro and busses for 3 days. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the very charming Chiesa Santa Prassede are also quite close to Termini and lovely. Few people go to Santa Prassede but if you are into extremely old churches with VERY old mosaics this church will impress! Rome is really quite compact so "near" Termini is deceiving. Piazza Navona is probably a 30 minute walk or 15 euro cab ride. The #40 bus is express from Termini to Largo Argentina, which is a stone's throw from Campo dei Fiori and P.za Navona. The #40 is, IMHO, a safer alternative to the #64. A note of warning, people are getting fined for not having bus tickets! They are mandatory and you must validate or have a pass. You won't see locals validate because we have passes.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I don't mind a good long walk at all! I think that would help wake me up. As long as the area is pedestrian friendly I'd take an hour walk over the bus or subway any day. I've been told I won't be able to check in to the hotel until the whole group of students arrives in the afternoon, so that's not an option. So is walking from the Termini an option?

Yes, walking from Termini is an option. You'll want a really good map, though. Buy one in the states and study it, even draw a route with a Sharpie to guide you that first day. Rome is very safe, just mind yourself with the traffic. Rick has great advice in his book about being a pedestrian I Rome.

The hotel is the Siracusa, right across the street from the Rome Termini. Thanks so much for all the ideas so far! I leave Thurs - where in the states do you find a map of Rome? I do have Rick's books so will study that more.

Rick Steves' Italy and Rome guide books have good tear out maps of Central Rome in the back - plus you get the guide, of course. Otherwise Michelin maps should be available from bookstores like Barnes and Noble, Borders and certainly at whatever airport you are leaving for Rome from.

Isn't Santa Maria Maggiore relatively close to Termini? It is a splendid church, not to be missed.

And I'd suggest a visit to the church of Santa Prassede. It's about 1/2 block from S Maria Maggiore, has some of the finest Byzantine-era mosaics in Rome, and largely escaped a Baroque re-do (except the altar area). It's quiet and beautiful. Open in the morning and late afternoon, closing at midday like many Rome churches, so check the hours if you go.

Mary, you can find a city map of Rome at Barnes and Noble. I was just there today looking for one of Florence. It's fairly compact, and it's laminated, so no worries about getting wet. Check in the travel section and look at the maps. It's a good idea, as someone mentioned already, to study the map before you arrive so you have an idea of where you will be going. The walk from the Termini to central Rome is doable. Just long. I suggest that you find your hotel and see if they will hold your luggage so you are free to roam, plus you will then know where to go when you return.

Another Church that's relatively close to Termini is the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs, in Piazza della Repubblica. It's a smaller Church, but beautiful inside. Be vigilant for pickpockets and "scammers" in that location. There's usually someone begging in front of the Church, right underneath the "No Begging" sign.

I'm another for the National Mueum which is just over the road. From the front of the station looking over the taxi rank towards the bus station it is to the left about half way down. Yes, it is not outside. But, my goodness - the good stuff inside, especially on the top floor, is really goodness. Unless you don't want to see the inside of the houses of the actual people mentioned in "I, Claudius". Livia's dining room paintings and bedroom walls and mosaics. Oh my! Well worth half a day.

Santa Maria Della Vittoria with Bernini's the Ecstacy of St. Teresa is also very close by.

Thanks so much to all of you! It's been 30 yrs since I've been overseas. When my daughter started college last year I jumped on the chance to send her over just so that I could join her! I don't see how I could have managed w/o Rick's books and this website!

The National Museum is very close to the Termini station. You can actually see it from the station. It rates 3 triangles in Rick's book. We spent several hours there yesterday. Reservations not needed, uncrowded. Costs 10 euros. My favorite part was the exhibition of pieces from Caligula's ships.