buffandduff

Once arriving in Rome, I am assuming we will go through customs. We leave the US, change planes in Paris, and fly on to Rome. Several posts have indicated that they never went through customs. Curious about this. Any thoughts?

Also, what is the best way to get from the airport to the hotel. Our hotel does have a shuttle, but it is also within a 10 min. walk from the train station.

We have been told by many friends that Rome is unsafe due to pickpockets and scam artists. I am wondering if any of you have any tips regarding safety of belongings.

SallyCanuck

Take the bus - won't you be tired after flying all night? Even if you can't check in to your hotel room, you can leave your bag there and go and explore till you can. And 10 minutes from the train station when you don't know the area might end up being more than 10 minutes wandering around dragging a suitcase.

kybourbon

You need to post your hotel name. Many claim to be 10 minutes from the station when they aremuch farther. If it's close to the station, you can catch the Leonardo Express train from the airport to Termini (11E per person).

zeppole

I agree with kybourbon. Hard to know how to advise you about logistics and safety without knowing specifically which hotel you're going to. Sometimes the pick-up points for airport shuttles are hard to find, or are at some far corner of the airport, and don't run all that often. Or you have to call the hotel to activate a pick up. How much luggage will you be dragging?

On the other hand, if you're staying at one of the really fine hotels, and paying for great service, the shuttle might work.

Regarding the "safety" of Rome, there are lots of professional pickpockets but almost no one who would ever dream of assaulting you. Once you've passed through customs, take a moment to bury your important documents and wallets into your luggage, and just carry 200 euros between you until you get to your hotel. Keep your passports, extra credit cards and extra money in the hotel room safe. Unless you intend to drive in Italy, leave your driver's license at home.

As for customs checks, when you are cleared to enter the EU countries, and are transferring between them, you may or may not experience passports checks. It may depend on your carrier, however. But don't worry. It's seldom a hassle or a long line, no matter how many times they check your passports.

Your post mentions "we"? How many of there are you? Once you add up the cost of train tickets for more than one person, and factor in the misery factor of flying and transfers, you might think it is jolly well worth the extra euros to have a car service meet you at the airport and drop you off right under the canopy of your hotel.

If you're a first time visitor to Roma, the streets can be confusing, the areas around the central station can look alarming, it can be miserably hot if you are dragging luggage, or even more miserable if it's raining.

I bless the day I met my husband and discovered he thought paying for a taxi from the airport was a bargain compared with having an expensive trip to Rome start out with getting lost, with lost tempers.

flanneruk

As a general rule, there's no immigration control between France and Italy. You go through immigration arriving in Paris.

Assuming your bags are checked through from the US to Rome, you first see them at Rome. Their baggage tag is different fromn those checked onto the flight in Paris, so in theory you're liable to customs (as opposed to immigration) inspection on arriving in Rome. You won't be stopped though unless something about you fits the profile of a drugs or arms smuggler.

adrienne

When you get to Paris you will have to show your passport and any document that you were given on the plane to fill out. This is immigration, not customs. I've never seen a customs person in Paris or Rome (or any where else in Europe). Even in the US all you do is hand over a paper with your declaration (sometimes people are subject to random checks but hardly ever).

In Rome (as in all large cities) do not stop to answer questions in crowded areas. Watch out for people with newspapers covering their arms and for dirty children (below the sightline of adults). Avoid eye contact when walking; try to look like you know where you're going. Only carry enough money for the day and keep your money in a separate place from your credit cards and passport (assuming you carry your passport with you). Don't buy dumb souvenirs from people in the street (Mickey Mouse stuff, etc.).

Any reason you don't want to use the hotel shuttle? Cost?

Travelnut

There are Customs officers in the airports in Paris and Rome, however you don't really notice them because they rarely ever stop anyone. They have a post at the doorway that you go through after Immigration and baggage to reach the terminal lobbies. In French, the term is "Douane"; in Italian - "Dogane".

LuvToRoam

I agree with Zeppole. A cab or decent/reliable transportation to your place after a long flight just makes sense. I do not recall any long or uncomfortable waits at the airport. We have always tried to arrive with the mood being nothing is going to ruin our vacation, so waits in line are taken with a grain of salt. Our first trip to Italy had me concerned about the pick pockets as well. As it turned out simple common sense is all one needs when out and about in the city. I keep my docs on me at all times, me being my paranoid self. They are hidden and I have never had a problem. Hubby carries the cash for the day in his front, deep zippered pocket and our credit/debit cards in an inside money pack-attached to his pants on the inside top, no way for anyone to get to it. We never felt unsafe while in Rome. Yes you always want to stay away from the beggars but we made eye contact and talked with strangers, that is part of travel. One just needs to be aware of their surroundings and that is the same all over the globe. Have a great time in Rome, what a city!

SusanP

How much is your hotel's shuttle? Often they are more expensive than booking a car service yourself. I've used www.airportshuttle.it 6 times with great service. They will be standing just outside baggage pickup with a sign with your name on it. Very easy.

Don't be too paranoid about pickpockets. Just don't carry a lot of cash and only carry one credit card (and put the rest in a moneybelt), and be aware of your surroundings.

kybourbon

If you are going to use a shuttle, take a look at Rome Shuttle Limousine as they are cheaper than Airport Shuttle. They are 35€ for 3 people where Airport Shuttle is 35€ for 1 person and 6€ each additional person.
http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/FiumicinoE.htm

kybourbon

FWIW - I flew into Rome from the US and used the Leonardo Express to and from the airport. I was traveling alone in Italy for 16 days and didn't encounter any problems or feel unsafe. I spent 5 days in Rome using the subways/trams/metro/busses. Just use common sense in crowds or on public transportation.

excited_confused

buffandduff, I hope you don't mind me adding to this post - We only have an hour in Paris before our connecting flight to Rome in May. My tkts were bought thru' Delta but because they are on Air France & AF states 1 hour is a legal connection in paris, they are not willing to switch us to the later flight which is apparently already full now. If immigration has to be done in Paris, I don't see any chance of making the connection. Any opinions/suggestions?

Jean

Excited, it may be a legal connection, but if your flight is even a few minutes late you probably won't make it. The good news is that Air France has a dozen or so flights to Rome every day up until about 9 p.m. Are you the one coming from Philadelphia? If so, your flight lands in Paris around 8:30 a.m. I wouldn't worry about it, but I also wouldn't arrange a car service to meet the flight in Rome. I'd just take a cab to the hotel.

Mark11

You clear customs at your port of entry into the schengen zone; that being Paris in your case. Those who cleared customs upon arrival in Rome must have arrived in Rome directly from the US.

excited_confused

We are coming from Boston and the next flight to Rome if we miss ours is not for another 2.5 hours (3.5 in all) at around 11 am which does not have 3 seats available. Has anyone made a connection at CDG in an hour after going through immigration?

Jean

Excited, sorry, I confused you with another a poster. Have you inquired whether you can take the later flight from Boston and connect to an afternoon flight to Rome with more time in between? If that's not possible either, then just cross your fingers and don't think about it any more. Sadly, air travel these days is unpredictable and not always pleasant. On the bright side, you're not flying United which recently required 30 hours to get me from Venice to Los Angeles!

heartofthesouth

I went to Rome for my first trip out of the country, except for Mexico, last year at the age of 25. Just me and a girlfriend. I never felt unsafe and I often walked the streets alone very late at night...probably not the smartest idea but I think I may have been in shock of being somewhere so beautiful.

I'm not from a big city so I honestly figured I would be a little nervous when I got there but wasn't. Just use good judgement, keep your money in different locations. I had a money belt that I carried under my jacket (the over the shoulder kind). I also walked everywhere....I might not have felt so safe in the city if I had taken some of the public transportation lol. Oh, and if you want to stay safe...stay away from people on scooters! Some of them are real nut jobs

fitznj

I just returned from Rome and was a solo traveler, female and 50. I felt safe. I did kind of hide my map and when I wanted to look at it I just ducked into one of the 500+ churches and planned my route in there so as not to attract attention on the street. I noticed too that when I had my ipod headphones in no one talked to me, not even the beggars I saw frequently. I was out until late-ish every night and felt safe. I stayed in the Spanish Steps area.

I too changed planes in Paris and did not have to pass through customs. I just met the gate agent and found out where my connecting flight was. The bad news is if you are in Terminal A, where I was, and have to go to Terminal G, you have to take a bus and it's like 15 minutes, plus about 10 to wait for the bus. I still had 25 mins left when I got to G so I was ok. On the way home due to the strike I missed my connection and was booked on a flight the next day. AF assigned me to a hotel "20 mins away" which turned out to be at EuroDisney, one hr. away. A surreal experience!