Tips and Tricks for Trip to Roma, Italia

Ciao Bellas,

I am part of a group called Nomad-ness Tribe and family of like minded individuals who love to travel, learn, and explore.  I was asked to put together some tips for the Tribe for visiting Rome and I thought I should share with you as  your Roman Expat Expert.  

My insight to planning your trip to Rome!

HOW IT GOES DOWN:

Rome the eternal city is known for a lot of things and you can hit most of them in a weekend tops.  Yes I know this seems unbelievable but unlike other areas in Italy – Rome is a walking city that is WALKABLE (given that you have no health conditions already).  Ladies the cobbles are real so keep your stilettos at home. Comfortable sneakers and wedges are a must.  As soon as you get a nice tourist map you will see that all of the city highlights are near each other and if you are walking you might stumble upon some Roman history on your own.  After being here for a year there is no such time as non-tourist season here so feel free to blend in.  Most Italians in the city center are very excited to practice their English (but a good ciao and grazie will only help you).  The city center is considered Piazza Venezia near all the main tourist sites and the big train station - Termini Statonize, I would say any where in this area is good a place to start.

TRANSPORTATION:

Plane: When flying into Rome look up the different shuttle bus options.  Rome does not have its on airport so they closest two that should consider are Leonardo da Vinci – Fiumincino (FCO)  this one is for mainly international flights from other continents and the other (small and ghetto ) one is Ciampino (CIA) this airport is where most of the ryanair/easyjet flights fly into.  If you have a choice there is no better one as far as convenience they are both FAR from anything. Shuttle options are the way that I reach both airports with two different companies. 

SIT Bus shuttle (www.sitbusshuttle.it) makes 4 stops 1. Via Marsala Termini Station – near the city center 2. Piazza Cavour – Near Vatican area 3. Airport Fiumincino (this is YOUR STOP) 4. Fiumincino City (you have gone too far).  The first shuttle leaves the city at 5 am and the latest is at 20:30 (8:30 pm) and first one from the airport is 8:00 am and last is 23:45 (11:45 pm).  Unlike a lot of things that I found in Rome I think the are very reliable and efficient so I stick with them it cost 8 € for a one way you can buy the ticket on the bus you pick it up at the end of the terminals past Terminal 3 it actually has the SIT logo on it.  They also have a shuttle to the CIA airport but I have used SIT for this one.  Make sure you look for the small SIT sign if you pick up the bus at Cavour on the left street opposite the construction (which will probably still be going on forever lol).

ATRAL www.atral-lazio.com I am not going to lie to you I have never been on the website.  An I do see myself as a good traveler and I went on a leap of faith using this one on my first trip out of Rome to CIA airport.  I lived near the Metro line A which you take to the last stop in ANAGNINA direction and at GATE 1 as soon as you come up the escalator walk to GATE 1 there is a schedule right out side Gate with the times.  I usually just plan ahead and get here in advance.  This shuttle is 1.20 €. When I return I usually take whatever shuttle is going directly into the center for cheap.  The most I have paid was 4.00 € to Termini Station for this airport and then I would take a cab from there or a local city bus.

Taxi from the airports: WARNING!!!!!: Only take the WHITE CABS that actually say Taxi on top and most of them have taxi number on the side.  Be sure to tell them where you are going before you enter the cab and have them confirm 40 € again 40 € that is the flat rate from the airports especially FCO that has been set in place by law from the city if they say 41 put your stuff in another TAXI. Do not let them use the METER.  These are all the tricks that do to try to get you once you are in the taxi, so be aware. CIA is a little tricky since there is less cabs there then supply and demand kicks in (but choose wisely).

I have no experience with taking the Train from the airport. Unless you are staying somewhere along one of the Regional lines that stops closer then maybe its worth looking into. If not then stick to the taxi or shuttle bus.

Train:

METRO: When getting around Rome its good to know the underground/subway/ METRO system most of the stops are placed near places of interest for tourist. You will know the system in an hour if you are use to train systems.  There are only 2 Metro lines:  METRO line A which is near important sites like the Vatican and the Vatican Museum, Piazza di Spanga, and Trevi Fountain.  The Metro starts at 6 am and typically stops at 12:00 midnight.  However, Line A currently stops running at 9 pm from Sun – Friday so only on Saturday it runs until 12. METRO line B, which is near the Coliseum, Piazza Veneica and Termini.  You can only switch trains underground at Termini. 

It is currently 1.00 € each way.  There is some sort of visitors pass that I have never purchased that might worth looking into (but this is not London) you should be above ground most of your time here.  Purchase at machine or teller if your stop has one. Metro line C is under construction for many years and has no scheduled date of actually running anytime soon.

            TRAIN - EURORAIL: If you plan on visiting other areas of Italy during your stay use TrainItalia website.  There is an English option to change the language.  You will find all schedule and prices for all cities in Italy here.  You can purchase tickets online, at ticket booth or teller.  You catch the trains and purchase tickets at Termini Station. Make sure you look up your cities name in Italian since on the board with the arrivals and departures for the track numbers will NOT be in English.

Autobus:  ATAC (like the MTA from NYC of ROME) they have a website if you want to look it for time schedules but they are often not correct.  The bus works on an honor system. It is the same ticket from the metro at a cost of 1 € which you purchase on the bus.  If a police officer stops you on the bus be sure that he will hand you a 50 € fine or make you pay it immediately (my friend was taken to an atm). The buses run 24/7 and after midnight they turn to a different number usually with the letter N in front of it, representing it’s the night bus and stops are more local and they don’t run the same route. 

Taxi:

• Taxis are ran on meters they don’t take more than 4 typically unless you called for a special cab to fit everyone.  They typically start around 2.80 € during the day and I have seen any where from 5.50 € to 7.10 € during different times of the night.  Always ask if the number seem to high about the price (this is where your little Italian comes into play).  The like to add on prices person so this is a warning for that.  You main catch taxis at taxi stands, I have flag them down before too but this is not the typical protocol.

FOOD:

• Italians eat LATE.  Do not be fooled if a place is completely empty at 8pm. Lol  They are on their way. Breakfast don’t really exist here, there is just coffee and croissant. You order breakfast from the BAR.  These places usually have alcohol as well but these bars are for a different kind of shot typically EXPRESSO. 
• DON’T eat any PIZZA place.  Most places in the center near everything in most countries are typically just traps.  Rome is famous for this, since most people are here for pizza there are pizzerias everywhere.  A lot of them are frozen pizza that you can get better in US’s supermarket.
• PIZZA rule: There are 2 types of Pizza, there is traditional pizza from Naples that we all know that is round and then there is Roman Pizza which is square and is cut and weighted.  Two places I will tell you about for both types are Dar Poeta (great round pizza in Rome) in the area known as Trastevere and Pizzarium  (very exciting toppings and dough for square pizza) near the Cipro Metro Stop Line A.
• Just going to note a few other places to eat in Rome.  This is Italy so most good places might not have websites or phones and may be on a cobble stone street in between nowhere. Please know in advance a lot of what you eat or think is traditional Italian food in America is not Italian food in Italy.  For instance chicken alfredo I have only seen on 1 menu and chicken parmagiana is not here so don’t ask and if you see it on a menu that might be a good sign that this place is a tourist trap. 
• Pasague  - Open late (close at 2 am, great wine menu, great for appetizers, love the food (small food menu) Love the owner.  BTW: They opened a new place that is bigger and around the corner with a different name same menu . Near the Vatican closer to Metro stop for Vatican
• Mamà’s – Very modern décor, free wifi, great food, love the bruschetta here and the seafood. Near the Vatican closer to Castle San Angelo
• Old Bear – close to Piazza Navona and the bridge ( recent find love the trimbolle its their  eggplant parmagina)
• List to be continued (don’t know the names of everywhere) …
• Vistit an open market if you have never seen one.  Trionfale is big and covered (so a more modern day version than the one in the movies.  Get wine straight for the barrel or bottled, great cheese, and other snacks if you are here for a short stay.  If you have a kitchen then you won’t need to find the supermarket after find fresh everything here. Near two metro stops CIPRO and OTTAVIANO. Can be difficult to stop if you are since its covered but its in between the block not on the main Metro street so be sure to go early. I believe it closes at 2:00pm and closed on Sunday.

ENTERTAINMENT:

• Campo Di Fiore – Tourist like it here its close to the center and you can find people from anywhere here.  It’s a circle of pubs and local clubs.  Everyone just end up drunk and very friendly.  Avoid Drunken Ship – every study abroad American is here (19 yr and this is their 1^st time drinking).  If you do make over here early enjoy Apperativo at Sloppy Sams (they are a little better)
• Trastevere – This is a site to see. It almost look like the quad of a college campus of people just standing around and drinking after a football game. No music but real SOCIAL NETWORKING offine.  This area has tourist but it’s more or less like the Italian version of Campo Di Fiore more young Italians come and hang here.  They are close to each other just across the Tiber River. You can walk here from Campo.  Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.  Our favorite place here is D-Gee Bar great music, good-looking people (some tourist), great-drinks (make sure you order a THREESOME).
• Testaccio – This is further out but this is where the clubs are located within Rome.  Its like a village of different music and themes so if you are ready to go out this where you need to be.  This area close after 4am (I believe, never stayed pass this time).  Thursday nights at Alkab or Ahkalb is Hip-Hip and Rap and Top 20 stuff.  Its good to see the mix of people in Rome here singing every word but don’t know English and which

SURVIVAL WORDS

Ciao – Hi and Bye

Grazie – Thank You

Prego – Your welcome

Escuzi – Excuse you

Tu Parle Inglese? – Do you speak English?

Io no parlo italiano – I do not speak Italian

Per Favore – Please

Dove un bango?  – Where is a bathroom?