On our very first trip to Rome, a hardship turned into an incredibly wonderful experience. We weren't experienced travelers in 2006. Our plane landed at DaVinci Airport at 10:30pm. We had a reservation at a B&B near Termini. We bought our train tickets into Rome and immediately got on the wrong train. As we went my wife continued to ask me if we were on the right train. I replied "of course", but as the we went further my doubts increased. Finally I said "we need to get off". At the next stop we got off, having no idea where we were. At a bus stop, we stood there not knowing which one would take us where. Finally my wife noticed a young man nearby talking on his cell phone. He was speaking English! We asked him for help. He directed us to the correct train, and we got on. Not having bus tickets made us very nervous, but not having any other options we settled in for the ride. We didn't know it at the time but we were in north Rome and our bus ride would turn out to be an amazing night time tour of Rome. There were ancient ruins around every corner, all lit up in an orange glow. Castel Sant Angelo, Largo Argentina, duomos, piazzas and finally Termini. The eternal city. Incredible! What was a challenge for us as beginner travelers turned out to be a very fond memory.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
Not sure how you could be on the wrong train. Until recently there were on two trains from the airport. Both went to Termini. The Leonard Express was non-stop and the FM1 make several stops. We have paid for the LE and got on the FM1 by mistake but it still took us to Termini - just a little slower.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
The Leonardo express goes to Termini and ends there. You just ride it to the end.
FL1 does not go to Termini, it goes to Tiburtina, then farther to the northern part of the city, so if they were waiting until the end of the line, they would have gone too far and had to come back, just like he described.
Posted by
franktown, colorado
2252 posts
I think this is a wonderful story of serendipity and good for you for seeing all the positives. I enjoyed reading this a lot and thank you for posting your experience.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Frank, maybe, at an earlier time, when you were young (did they have trains then), the FR1 went to Termini.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8141 posts
Rome is magical at night, with all the architectural treasures lit up.
And buses are the best way to navigate the city.
I too had a great such night in Venice 45 years ago--lost in the back alleys with a beautiful girl.
Posted by
4 posts
Ended up a wrong RER train in Paris. Did not speak French to understand that the train was going out of service. After being the only person on the train it finally started back up awhile later with one panicked American women on it!