Rome Tips Collection

Posted by Romanizer on July 07, 2010 in Best of Rome, Useful Information tagged with , , , ,

This article is constantly updated every time we find a new tip. If you have one just comment this post.

TRANSPORTATION

METRO

Many of Rome’s main attractions are concentrated in the historic center and can be covered on foot. Some sights that lie nearer the border of this quarter can be reached via the Metro Line A, nicknamed the linea turistica (tourist line) and include: the Spanish Steps (Spagna stop), the Trevi Fountain (Barberini stop), St. Peter’s Square (Ottaviano stop), and the Vatican Museums (Cipro-Musei Vaticani stop), to name a few.

Tickets for the bus and metro can be purchased for EUR 1 at any tobacco shop and at most newsstands. These tickets are good for approximately 75 minutes on buses, or a single metro ride. Day passes can be purchased for EUR 4, and weekly passes, which allow unlimited use of both buses and the metro, for EUR 16.

AIRPORT TRANSFERT

Check this article for more information: Getting From/To Ciampino Airport Tips

Most Rome guidebooks advise to take the non-stop, “express” train from Fiumicino airport to Rome’s Termini station.  This train is known as the “Leonardo Express.”  This is a good idea if your hotel is: 1) near the ‘Termini’ train station, or 2) on the red Metro line (Line “A”) that goes toward the Spanish Steps, the Vatican, etc.  This train only leaves every 30 minutes, but tends to be very crowded, and can thus be a bit stressful.  A one way ticket costs 12 euro.

TRAINS

If you are travelling to other destinations from Rome by train it’s a wise move to buy the tickets in advance and secure a seat as there are quite long queues at most of the Rome counters during the day.

LIMO SERVICE INFORMATION

Read this article very carefully: Don’t get ripped off by Rome Taxis, Take the Limo instead.

CROSSING ROADS

Crossing the road is a hazardous occupation for tourists in Rome, and it pays to stay alert. Where there is a green man indicating that you can cross, be aware that cars may still be entitled to turn onto the road and cross where you are blithely walking. Where there are no lights, crossing places are indicated by white stripes. As a pedestrian you have the right of way here, but drivers are quick to spot a nervous foreigner and are just as likely to accelerate as to stop. You will need to set foot on the road before any vehicle will even consider stopping for you. Make sure that the drivers in approaching cars have seen you and that they have a reasonable stopping distance – and walk. Traffic etiquette in Rome is about survival of the fittest. However aggressive they may seem, drivers are aware that they could pick up penalty points (a recent innovation) or fines from running over pedestrians, and will toe the line if given no choice in the matter. However, you should always remain alert, particularly in wet weather when slippery roads make life even more hair-raising.

ROME ATTRACTIONS

ST PETER’S VATICAN CITY

There are three tours offered by the Vatican. They are 1) the museum and Sistine chapel. 2) Vatican gardens. 3) the vatican museums and St. Peters basilica.

The website for booking is: biglietteriamusei.vatican.va

COLOSSEUM

To avoid the frustratingly long lines at the Colosseum, buy your combo ticket at the Palatine Hill ticket office (probably the shortest line) on Via di S. Gregorio 30.


DRINK AND FOOD

COFEE

In Italy a cofee cost about 80 cents, it will cost more if you are in an heavy touristic area. Bars will charge roughly double the price for sitting down and having a cofee. It is however common in Italy to pay more for sitting and getting service. But sometimes they do go over the line.

WATER

You should normally pay under and certainly never more than 1 euro for a small bottle of water.  Buy at a locals’ bar or supermarket, and refill your bottle from a street fountain.

VARIOUS

CONS

Keep Close Watch on Your Valuables. This is standard advice anywhere, but Roman tourist sites tend to be very crowded and it’s easier here to lose track of your valuables. There are criminals out there who are well aware of this and will take advantage.

EUROS

Using your credit card or taking out a couple of large withdrawals from the ATM is the best way to exchange for euros. Currency exchange shops cost quite a bit. Most credit cards charge the current Wall Street exchange rate plus a 3% fee for each purchase. Most places accept credit cards but you should have some cash just in case.

ELECTRICITY

There are significant differences in the electrical outlets around the world. The United States and Canada tend to make use of only two versions of electrical outlets. The basic usage outlet accommodates a two-pin construction, with one flat pin slightly larger than the other flat pin. Various countries in Europe  like Rome make use of an eclectic blend of two and three pin electrical outlets. The pins may be arranged in just about every combination imaginable. This situation often means that adapters are necessary in order to use appliances that were manufactured in a different country even when the current level and type are compatible.

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