rjain

Hi,
Which area is better to stay in Rome? We have two choices either at Termini ( there's a reasonably priced Rhome86 B&B) serves breakfast, the owner has great reviews but the rooms are apparently small for a family of 4) and I am not sure about the area from safety point of view?? we are in Rome for 2 days only and leave at 5 early in the morning on 3rd day to catch a flight from Campiani airport. Another choice is Piazza Navona area, a lot pricier hotels. I guess farther too from termini( we reach Rome from Naples by train) Any suggestions please?

And also what's the weather like in last week of June? Does it rain often? Thanks

wanderful

If it's between the two stated options, definitely Piazza Navona. Even if it's just two days in Rome, you want to make them count.

HappyTrvlr

Piazza Navona.

greg

What benefits attract you to the Termini option? It looks like the lower price and ~10min walk to the B&B vs. 15min on taxi. After that for next 2 days, if you stayed near Termini, you will be far from many attractions and recommended restaurants. You will need to articulate why "farther too from termini" is a consideration factor. For many people, this is not even a factor, but it is possible that you have unstated reasons.

zootsi

Termini is one of the worst areas, Navona is one of the nicest. Have you considered this place?

http://www.residenzasanpantaleo.com/

We stayed here several years ago - great location, very reasonable.

LucieV

Piazza Navona without even a moment's hesitation (and I have stayed in both areas, many times each, over the last 40 years).

The only advantages to staying in the Termini area are that it's inexpensive and you're close to the city bus terminal. The unattractiveness (and distance from everything worth seeing) makes it not worth any money you might save, imo.

If you have any desire to fall in love with Rome (which is easy to do if you're in the Centro Storico area!), staying near the Termini is not going to contribute to your experience...

annhig

yes, Termini will be convenient for the trains in and out of Rome, but very inconvenient for seeing virtually everything you will want to see in Rome in just two days, so if you stay there, you'll spend a lot of your precious time on buses, as opposed to just a couple of time at the beginning and end of your stay.

in the mornings you will have plenty of choices for breakfast plus the chance to see the market at the campo dei fiori at work before you start your sightseeing and in the evenings you will be very pleased to be able to stroll around the centro storico, admiring the ancient buildings, nibbling a gelato, feeling reasonably safe and happy as opposed to scuttling around Termini or going back again to the Piazza Navona. AND it will be much easier to get back to your accommodation at the end of your sightseeing to have a rest before going out in the evening.

Convinced yet?

Pepper_von_snoot

There is a very nice neighbourhood near Termini called MONTI. Please check it out.

If you stay near Termini you can use the Metro.

Sites close to Termini: Maria Maggiore, Santa Prassede, Colosseum, San Pietro Vincoli, Santa Maria Vittoria, Palazzo Barberini, St. John Lateran.

Thin

NYCFoodSnob

If budget is a serious concern, you will be closer to Campiani Airport if you stay near Termini. A taxi or car service will cost you less. Plus, coming from Naples by train, walking to your hotel will be cheap and convenient.

There are hundreds of hotels near Termini, so obviously someone is staying in that area. Nobody on this board likes the area, but that's usually because they spend more than two nights in Rome. For a two-night stay, it really doesn't matter much if you're on a budget. You will definitely save money by staying near Termini.

The walk to the city-center is a hike, but I've done it many times, with camera equipment in tow. I've never taken a Rome bus. Good shoes and motivation work wonders.

Italy's train stations attract hustlers and street urchins. Once you leave the station, the neighborhood is filled with business and stores. The Termini area is not a slum, and there is much history there. As Pepper pointed out, there are sites worth visiting. This board tends to favor the "main" attractions, and for those, you'll need to walk longer distances (or take other modes of transport).

Rome's hotel rooms are notoriously small. If you want a larger room, you have to know the location and the room number and request that. San Pantaleo has two large rooms only, and they sell out quickly. One of those rooms faces the street and is extremely noisy.

annhig

The airport, BTW, is Ciampino.

NYCFoodSnob

Thanks annhig. I should look first before I copy and paste.

Alec

And pronounced Chiam-peeno.

Pepper_von_snoot

I would like to remind people that two of Rome's most luxurious and expensive hotels--the St Regis Grand and the Excedera--sit in front of Termini at Piazza Repubblica.

Thin

nytraveler

Pza Navona.

And it rains when it rains. I never go to europe without a sturdy folding umbrellas - since I have never been there for more than 5 days without seeing rain. some countries and times of year way more.

rjain

Thank you all! I think the choice is clear from all the posts- Piazza Navona. I do have two bookings at the Navona apartments and Navona Governo Vecchio hotel there.I will also look at the B&B link you've suggested JPfabre. Thanks all again.

leuk2

We have stayed in both areas. Termini area was fine we stayed at Hotel lirico once and hotel Aberdeen once. both were fine. Once you get out of the station area, everything is fine. We als rented an apt. near Piazza Navona. Nice area Easier to walk to Vatican. I don't think you can go wrong with either area, after all you are in Rome.

rjain

Thanks leuk2! Another question- what other attractions have long lines/wait and need advance booking to avoid long waits? I have purchased advance tkts for Vetican so far.
What would you absolutely not miss in Rome if you're there only for two nights?
Thanks

Axel2DP

I agree with staying at the PN area also. I was in Rome three weeks ago and was surprised to discover at how easily it was to walk to all of the major sites from PN.

You'll need to book tickets in advance for the Galleria Borghese. They are usually sold out if you wait until the day of to buy. The Bernini's sculptures are gorgeous - my favorites after Michelangelo's David.

The Colesseum's line is very long, but it's usually shorter later in the afternoon.

I wouldn't miss the Vatican museum, St. Peters, the Galleria Borghese, the Pantheon and the Colosseum. In the evenings you can swing by Trevi Fountain and Piaza Navona.
The Roman Forum is interesting, but I don't know if you really need to physically walk through the site if you're short on time; You can have a good view of the Forum area from the terrace behind the Campidoglio or from within the Capitoline Museum.

jane1144

I know I'm in the minority, but we booked in the Termini area so we could easily walk to and from the station and would not have to take luggage on the Metro. We felt safe, enjoyed good restaurants and found it easy to get to the sites we wanted to see. When we left on an early train for CT, it was a breeze.

rjain

Thanks axel2dp! We will surely visit all these places. Is Galleria Borghese worth the 2-3 hours? Jane1144, yeah Termini does look more accessible to the airport..taxis are asking euro 70 for four of us to drop from Piazza Navona to Ciampino airport.I am trying to book a reliable and reasonable taxi to fetch us from the hotel at 5 in the morning to catch a 6.45 Ryan air flight from Ciampino airport. I hope leaving at 5 is not late..? Pl share your thoughts. Thanks