Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Beware of corrupt taxis. A common cabbie scam is to take your €20 note, drop it, and
pickupa€5note(similarcolor),claimingthat'swhatyougavehim.Toavoidthisscam,pay
in small bills; if you only have a large bill, show it to the cabbie as you state its face value.
Keep an eye on the meter, if the cabbie turns it off abruptly when he stops and announces a
too-high fare, you'll know what you owe.
If hailing a cab on the street, be sure the meter is restarted when you get in (should be
around€3,oraround€5ifyouoryourhotelier phonedforthetaxi). Manymeters showboth
thefareandthetime elapsed duringtheride—andsometouristspay€10foraneight-minute
trip (more than the fair meter rate).
When you arrive at the train station or airport, beware of hustlers conning naive visitors
into unmarked, rip-off “express taxis.” Only use official taxis, with a
taxi
sign and phone
number marked on the door. By law, they must display a multilingual official price chart. If
you have any problems with a taxi, point to the chart and ask the cabbie to explain it to you.
Making a show of writing down the taxi number (to file a complaint) can motivate a driver
to quickly settle the matter.
If you take a Rome city cab from Fiumicino Airport to anywhere in central Rome within
the old city walls, the cost should be €48 (covering up to four people and their bags);
however,everyyearsomereadersreportbeingrippedoff.Thecatchisthatcabbies
not
based
in Rome or Fiumicino can charge €70. At the airport, look specifically for a Rome city cab,
with the “SPQR” shield on the door. By law, they can charge only €48 for the ride (still, be
sure to establish the price before you get in).
Tired travelers arriving at the airport will likely find it less stressful to take an airport
shuttlevantotheirhotel,orcatchthetraintoTerminiStationandtaketheMetrooracheaper
taxi from there (for details on getting from the airport to downtown Rome via taxi, shuttle,
or train, see “Rome Connections,” near the end of this chapter).
By Bike
Biking in the big city of Rome can speed up sightseeing or simply be an enjoyable way to
explore. Though Roman traffic can be stressful, Roman drivers are respectful of cyclists.
Still, use caution and never assume the right of way. The best rides are on small streets in
the city center. A bike path along the banks of the Tiber River makes a good 20-minute ride
(easily accessed from the ramps at Porta Portese and Ponte Regina Margherita near Piazza
del Popolo). Get a bike with a well-padded seat—the little stones that pave Roman streets
are unforgiving.
Top Bike Rental and Tours
is professionally run by Roman bike enthusiasts who want
to show off their city. Your rental comes with a handy map that suggests a route and indic-
ates less-trafficked streets. Owner Ciro also offers four-hour-long English-only guided tours
around the city and the Ancient Appian Way; check his website for days and times (rental:
