Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Art of Crossing Streets
Traffic lights in Rome are sometimes merely a suggestion. In fact, it's a
safe bet to assume that motorists and moped drivers will go through a red
light rather than stop, even in the busiest parts of town. Yellow lights are
actually more dangerous because drivers often speed up to try to make it
through before the light changes to red.
Designated pedestrian crossings mean absolutely nothing unless you
are a nun or are with a group of school children in tow (so if you see either
of these, cross the street with them). Despite a surprisingly low incidence
of car-pedestrian accidents in Rome, there are plenty of close calls.
Some rules:
1.
Never run across the street; if you trip over a cobblestone and fall,
you will become a human speed bump.
2.
Never, ever try to jaywalk unless you have lived here for many years.
Instead, cross at the lights and zebra crossings (painted on the street),
though keep in mind that these won't necessarily stop traffic.
3.
Don't be offended if a car honks at you to get out of the way even if
you are crossing at a zebra crossing or at a green light.
4.
When you do begin to cross, walk authoritatively and confidently,
and, if you can, look the motorists in the eye.
5.
If you are crossing a busy traffic square like Piazza Venezia or Piazza
della Repubblica, go to the outer perimeter and cross the streets
individually that lead into the piazza, even if this means you must
double your distance.
The fastest and most economical route into the city from Fiumicino is by the
FR1
(www.trenitalia.it), which runs an hourly, eight-stop, €4 train from the air-
port terminal to Fara Sabina station from 6:28am to just after midnight; or the
faster €8 direct line from Fiumicino to Termini, which makes hourly runs from
7:38am to 10:08pm. Tickets are available from agents or at yellow self-service
stands, both found in the airport terminal train station (lower level). There is no
direct train service from Ciampino.
Bus service is not as reliable as train travel from Fiumicino, but it is the only
public-transportation option to and from Ciampino.
COTRAL
(
%
800-150008;
www.cotralspa.it) and
Terravision
(
%
06-65958646; www.terravision.it) offer
regular routes.
The fastest but least economical choice is
taxi service
from the taxi stand out-
side the departure doors of both airports. The fare from Fiumicino to the center
of Rome runs about €50, depending on supplemental charges for luggage, nights,
or weekends. The fare from Ciampino to the center of Rome is around €30, again
depending on supplemental charges for luggage, nights, or weekends.
