Termini or Taxi?

Tiffany, the Termini is in Rome. The express train goes directly from the airport FCO to the Termini (main train station) in Rome. From there you can take public transportation (bus, subway) to your hotel.

Yes a taxi can be easier. The decision is really based on how much you money you want to spend.

I took the train into Termini, the Metro to the Vatican museum stop, and walked the rest of the way. Yes, a taxi is easier but the train-metro was much cheaper (especially for one person, but probably even for two), and I found it did a lot to get me used to being in the city and handling the public transportation later on in the trip.

It all depends on a) what time you are getting in, b) how tired you are, and c) your willingness to mess around with public transportation vs. your "just get me to the hotel already!" feeling. If you will be going into the city during rush hour (around 1pm and again around 5pm especially) the metro will be extremely crowded and a taxi might be preferable. I did it at 8am on a Sunday and it was no problem.

Just make sure you have clear directions to your hotel. Also, in Termini, you come in from the train platform and you need to head downstairs to the Metro. Follow the red and white M sign.

Tiffany,
I replied in the Italy forum too. But your hotel appears to be less than a mile walk, down a main street, from Termini. It's a breeze, the exercise will be good after a long day of flying, and best of all... it's free!
You can plug in 'Via Cavour 266, Rome 00184, Italy' to google maps and see how close you are to Termini (up and to the right). Via Cavour terminates right at the bus station outside of Termini - easy to find. Trust me - it'll be one of the shortest walks you take while you're there!!!
AND, there's a gelato store right where Via Giovanni Lanza merges into Via Cavour. Just don't forget to have some Euros with you.

Hello Tiffany. Yes, Rome is one place where I recommend riding in a Taxi. I was there : the METRO train from the Rome Termini train station is the most crowded and unpleasant underground train that I was ever in. Standing in it, totally filled with people, carrying you big pack, would not be enjoyable. That METRO station adjacent to the Termini train station in Rome is a favorite place for thieves. Some Americans who went to ITALY on a vacation trip said they did not like ITALY. I guess that was because they did not like being in the METRO trains in ROME. When I travel I am on a very limited budget, but when it was time for me to leave Rome, I decided to ride in a Taxi from near the hotel to the Termini train station. I am glad I did that. And the METRO trains in Milan are nearly as bad, and filthy.

All very helpful! I think a walk from Termini might be refreshing.

Tiffany,
If yo have any questions about that area, send me a personal message. I did it a little less than a month ago.

Tiffany, as the others have indicated, Termini station is in central Rome, so you won't have to take "train to Rome". If you're extremely tired after the flight, a Taxi is certainly one option. However, as someone else mentioned you could also walk if it's only a short distance.

I always pack a map showing the location of my lodgings relative to the place where I'll be arriving in each city (using a yellow highlighter). The maps in Rick's guidebooks are about the best I've found, as they're not overly complicated.

I sometimes take a Taxi to my Hotel or Hostel on the day of arrival, but after I "get my bearings", I generally walk after that.

With regards to the Metro in Rome, I didn't find it too unpleasant. It was crowded at times, but no worse than the Subways in Paris or London. However, the warning about thieves is not to be taken lightly - WEAR A MONEY BELT! This applies to Buses (especially #64) also.

Cheers!!!

If you decide to take a taxi at the Termini, go outside to the taxi stand to get one. Roman taxis are white. Avoid the people you will see immediately coming off the train, saying "taxi" and soliciting rides.

On my trip to Rome (2006), I took the train from FCO to Termini, then a taxi from Termini to my hotel near St. Peter's. After flying for 16 hours, the 10 euro fare to the hotel was well worth it. It's a bit of a splurge, but strategic splurges can make an otherwise Steves-esque trip more enjoyable.

By that afternoon (after a nap), I was on the Metro and busses 64 and 40 learning how to get about the cheap way.

Eric,
If you mean St. Peter's in Vatican City - I would have taken a cab too! But Tiffany is less than a mile from Termini (whereas Vatican City is over 3x that distance), so the walk shouldn't be too bad for her. Plus she's only carrying a backpack for luggage.AND, there's a gelato stand right along her path... for that little boost of energy.

Steve, I'm sure I'll feel an energy lag near most gelaterias so thanks for the tip.....I'll "power up" regularly.