Getting Into Rome From The Cruise Port
It's easy to take the train from the port of Civitavecchia into Rome
and then catch the subway to the Spanish Steps (above).
Photo: Index Stock Imagery, Jupiter Images
by Wendy Perrin
Question from reader Rosie Lee of Naples, FL:
"What would you recommend as the best (and cheapest) way to get from the port of Civitavecchia into the city? Three healthy, well-traveled, retired ladies on a budget wonder about taking a train (is there one?) into the city, then a taxi to our hotel. The cruise ship charges $85 per person at least."
You're smart to opt for the train rather than pay an outrageous price for a bus ride that will take longer, what with all those cruise passengers being loaded on and off, not to mention the traffic you can hit. As I advised in "Ten Tips For The Perfect Port Call" in Conde Nast Traveler's August issue, research whether you can get a train, bus, or ferry from the pier to the place you want to see. The train is how I myself got from Civitavecchia into Rome, and back again, during a port call on a Windstar cruise several years ago. The station is an easy walk from the pier . . . as long as you're not lugging a ton of baggage.
Trains from Civitavecchia to Roma Termini (the main train station) run two or three times an hour, and the ride takes about an hour and 15 minutes. Here's the timetable. You'll find more info at Trenitalia, but don't bother buying tickets in advance: It's not necessary, and you can't predict what time you'll get to the station, since the cruise-ship disembarkation process can take longer than planned.
One caveat about Roma Termini: It's a typically busy big-city station where pint-sized pickpockets have perfected many a con. One little boy might distract you by poking you with a newspaper while his cohort empties your pockets. Another common ploy in Italy is for boys to pretend to beat each other up. One may approach you in tears, pleading for money so he can get home to safety; when you pull out your wallet, the kids grab it and race off. So, as you move through Termini with your bags to the taxi stand, don't allow any street urchins to distract you, and make sure your valuables are secure. Safeguard most of your cash and credit cards in a neck pouch or zippered pockets beneath your clothing (thieves can slash open a fanny pack without your noticing). Keep small bills in your outside pockets for small purchases, so you don't have to take out your wallet.
Buon Viaggio!
RSS Feeds
Comments