If your travels take you to Rome, here is a Rome practicalities cheat sheet that will help you make the best of your visit to the Eternal City.
Getting to Rome
International Airport: Leonardo da Vinci, aka Fiumicino (FCO)
Smaller Airport: Ciampino, mostly domestic and EU flights
Highway: Autostrade del Sole (North/South)
By Bus: from many cities throughout Italy into Termini
By Train: Ferrovia dello Stato – Trenitalia – Italian national train system
From Airport to Town
From Fiumicino (FCO): Hourly trains to Termini throughout the day (approx. 14 Euros)
Other trains from FCO: to Trastevere and Tiburtina
Taxis: Will cost about 55 Euros for a 45-minute ride to city center
By Car: Via EUR
From Ciampino: Take Cortal Bus to Termini
By Car – Ciampino: Take Via Appia Nuova
Rome Hotels
Peak season: book ahead for Easter to September, Christmas
Most economical hotels: By Termini Station
Other good hotels: By the Vatican
Trastevere district is a great place to stay
How to Get Around Rome
Do not drive! Try “a piedi”, or by foot
Subway: Metropolitana, indicated by a red “M”
2 lines (A and B) that cross at Termini
Taxis (yellow or white): Can be expensive
City bus system: www.ATAC.roma.it
Dining in Rome
Cheap restaurants: Around Termini station
Trastevere: Good selection of restaurants
Testaccio District: Good restaurants as well
Regional Specialties: saltimbocca, stracciatella (soup),
alla carbonara – with egg and bacon
Rome Shopping Districts
Via del Corso Take Metro “A” Line to Piazza Spagna
Via Nazionale Take Metro “A” Line to Piazza Repubblica
Cola di Rienzo Take Metro “A” Line to Vatican (Ottaviano)
Porta Portese is a Sunday flea market
Nightlife in Rome
Spanish Steps Take Metro “A” Line to Piazza Spagna
Trastevere Great nightlife, restaurants, art exhibitors
Con: Limited buses at night when departing
Roma Estate Summer fest at old Olympic Stadium
Another summer fest www.fiesta.it (in Italiano)
Nightclubs and Discos – Can be expensive
Cover charge usually includes 1 drink
Other Links of Interest
Best ways to spend 3 days in Rome
First Time to Rome Guide on Amazon
