Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Several English-oriented
websites
provide insight into events and daily life in the city:
www.inromenow.com
(light tourist info on lots of topics),
www.wantedinrome.com
(events
and accommodations), and
http://rome.angloinfo.com
(on living in and moving to Rome).
By Train at Termini Station
Termini, Rome's main train station, is a buffet of tourist services. While information desks
are jammed with travelers, very handy red info kiosks at the head of the tracks can answer
yoursimple questions.TheCustomer Carewindownearthemainentrance andticket booths
can also be helpful for schedule questions.
Along track 24, about 100 yards down, you'll find the
TI
(daily 8:00-21:00), a
post of-
fice
(Mon-Fri8:30-14:00,Sat8:30-13:00,closedSun),a
hotelbooking
office,and
carrent-
al
desks. The
baggage storage
(deposito bagagli)
is downstairs (€5/5 hours, then cheaper,
daily 6:00-24:00).
The
“Leonardo Express” train
to Fiumicino Airport runs from track 24 (see
here
). A
goodself-service
cafeteria,
Ciao,isneartheheadoftrack24,upstairs,withfineviews(daily
11:00-22:30). For
sandwiches
to go, try VyTA in the atrium across from track 1.
Near track 1, you'll find a
pharmacy
(daily 7:30-22:00); along the same track is a
waiting room
and
Despar Express
, selling everything from groceries to electronics (daily
7:00-21:30). If you can't find what you're looking for there, try downstairs at
Conad
(daily
6:00-24:00) or one of the many other specialty shops.
Elsewhere in the station are
ATMs,
late-hours banks, and 24-hour thievery. In the sta-
tion's main entrance lobby,
Borri Books
sells books in English, including popular fiction,
Italian history and culture, and kids' books, plus maps upstairs (daily 7:00-23:00).
Termini is also a local transportation hub. The city's two Metro lines (A and B) intersect
downstairs at Termini Metro station. Buses (including Rome's hop-on, hop-off bus
tours—see “Tours in Rome,” later) leave across the square directly in front of the main sta-
tion hall. The Metro and bus areas have been under construction but should be open in time
for your visit—look for signs directing you to the Metro platform or bus stop. Taxis queue
in front; avoid con men hawking “express taxi” services in unmarked cars (only use cars
marked with the word
taxi
andaphonenumber). Toavoid the longtaxi line, simply hike out
past the buses to the main street and hail one.
From Termini, most of my recommended hotels are easily accessible by foot (for those
near this train station) or by Metro (for those in the Colosseum and Vatican neighborhoods).
The station has some sleazy sharks with official-looking business cards; avoid anybody
selling anything unless they're in a legitimate shop at the station.
