Judy_Rosa

I want to thank all the contributors to the many questions I've posted to this forum as I plan my trip to Italy. As always, your invaluable feedback helped me tremendously as I picked my options through three cities for 4 adults with 2 different arrival/departure locations and various lodgings.

I am exhausted from researching timetables, hotels, trains, planes and automobiles, but am almost done booking the last few items on my itinerary.

I need your help getting me over the finish line!

We arrive at Roma Termini from 3 nights in Positano the day before we leave for Philly. We leave from Rome on a Wednesday morning at 11:00am from FCO.

Does it make sense to stay at a hotel near Termini - maybe walking distance from the station (our first 5 days were near Campo de'Fiori). If yes, I need a hotel recommendation. Not wildly expensive, I'd like to spend no more than USD 200 for the one night. I will most likely take a taxi to the airport the next morning (or airport shuttle might be more convenient if the hotel offers this service).

We're not committed to staying near Termini station, just thought it might be easier given we will have all our luggage with us. But a taxi will get us anywhere, so I'm trying to determine what is the most efficient use of our time.

Should we stay in Positano late into the day and arrive in Rome evening-time? (we will have already spent 5 days in Rome at the beginning of our trip). Haven't bought my return ticket Naples/Rome, still weighing my options.

We might love Positano so much that we might want to stay there as long as possible - but I just don't know if it's better to stay longer in Positano, or arrive in Rome mid-day, and spend our last day in Italy relaxing in Rome?

The last leg of our trip (just 3 nights/2.5 days in Positano) will be a little tight time-wise, so I'm trying to figure out what our best option is for our last day in Italy where we won't feel completely rushed.

Thanks again for your feedback!

Whathello

A question of comfort vs fun.
I now try to stay half an hour cab drive from airport.
Or better like you say from train station so that we have a backup in case of strike of taxis or trains.

But that is me.
I suppose Philly means Philadelphia so being there a good 2.5 hours before take off which means arrival 8 30. So a hotel close with breakfast is what I like.
Again a personal choice.

sandralist

For me it's a false economy to stay near a train station for reasons of "convenience." What if it is pouring rain when you arrive in the station? Once you are a in a taxi, the costs are not so much to any point within Rome. And you are taking a taxi to the airport the next morning anyway.

I would not plan the trip around the unlikelihood of a strike. Strikes in Italy are announced well in advance, and you should book a hotel with a good cancellation policy anyway. If much later on you learn that there might be a taxi strike your last day in Italy, then rebook to a hotel near Termini or at the airport itself.

You don't need to decide now about when to leave Positano. You can decide once you get there, and know what the weather is and whether you are enjoying it or are eager to have one last fling and meal in Rome.

rbciao47

For the last seven years we've stayed at an upscale b&b called Armonio All' Opera located on Via dei Viminale across the street from the Roma Opera House. It is a ten minute walk to Stazione Termini. The area is quiet and safe. You could walk or take a taxi to the station to take the Leonardo Express to FCO. We have done this many times and it is easy, easy.

Now, for the last two years we have been using a limo service that takes us from Roma to FCO and can highly recommend romashuttle.com. The cost is the same as a taxi, it makes the trip less stressful, and it drops you off at the door of Terminal 5, if you are flying to North America on an American carrier.

As for when to leave Positano, that is your decision.We would leave late morning to settle in and enjoy our last night in Italy.

Buon viaggio,

Judy_Rosa

sandralist, I think I really do need to book my train and private car to Naples now rather than later. I don't want to wait until the last minute to book a car (availability issues) and train (fares go up the closer I get to my date of travel).

I agree with you, rbciao47, that maybe leaving Positano late morning and enjoying my last night in Rome is a worthy choice. I'll check out the B&B too, thank you for the tip!

Whathello - thanks for your feedback as well, we plan on getting to the airport early - I get anxious on flight day so I tend to get to the airport super early, but don't really want to stay near the airport, I'd rather stay in the City.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

bon_voyage

Like your plan of leaving after that last leisurely breakfast in Positano and staying in Rome. I'd also give a thought to dinner--someplace like Armando al Pantheon--comfortable, low-key, simple, delicious food, good service. I used Rome Shuttle Limousine to the airport, excellent experience and a few euros cheaper than a taxi would have been.

sandralist

You will probably save a little money on the hour train trip from Naples to Rome if you book it now, but you don't need to book the taxi. There are plenty of taxi companies on the Amalfi and no availability issues. You can wait until you are there.

But if you want to book it today, then do.

Judy_Rosa

Thanks sandralist, I will do that. I've been in touch with a car service that will offer a reduced rate if I book the round trip. And while maybe a few saved euros may not matter, if I can save 20 euros here and 20 euros there by booking in advance, I can spend those saved euros on something more meaningful than transportation - like a nice dessert or dinner, or just on a trinket that I would otherwise not have purchased.


bon_voyage....I've read a few reviews about that restaurant, all positive! Thanks for the tip!

bvlenci

At Fiumicino airport, you really need three full hours before your departure. That was true even before the latest escalation of terrorism alerts. Ever since 2001, departures for the USA on US carriers, and for Israel, require a check-in at Terminal 5, a satellite terminal with no departure gates. After checkin, you have to be bussed to the actual departure gate. All of this takes extra time. Since the attacks in Paris last November, security has become even tighter, and I would now allow 3 1/2 hours.

If you take the train to the airport, the station is adjacent to Terminal 3, so you'd have to be bussed to Terminal 5, adding more time. That's one reason to use a transfer service, which can take you all the way. I've been very satisfied with www.romeshuttlelimousine.com but www.romecabs.com is also supposed to be very reliable. I'm sure there are other reliable services. The cost shouldn't be more than about €50-€55, with a supplement for Sundays, holidays, very early or late departure, or for more than 3 or 4 passengers. They will give you a price without obligation, based on information you furnish. You pay on arrival at the airport.

Hotel shuttles often cost more, but if you've already been quoted a price by a private shuttle, you'll be able to evaluate the offer of the hotel shuttle. A taxi would have a fixed cost of 48 euros, but I think they can't take you all the way to Terminal 5.

If your budget of €200 is for four people, you might want to stay near Termini station to take advantage of the lower prices in that area; you usually get more for the money there. I often spend a night in Rome before departure of flights, and I stay near Termini station. I don't have a favorite hotel in the area. I usually look for bargains on www.booking.com .

I once stayed at the Hotel Mediterraneo, a four(?)star, bit of a faded glory, which sometimes has very good prices, within your budget. It's very near Termini station. It has a rooftop restaurant, partly inside and partly on an outdoor terrace. It's not really my style, but I was traveling with my granddaughter and thought she would like it for its velvet and gold, plush carpets, and uniformed bellboys, and she did. She was especially pleased by the desk clerk who made her a passport for her doll.

I usually stay in something super cheap on the Via Giolitti side of the station, close to Piazza dei Cinquecento.

The Hotel Uno has a pretty good restaurant in that area. If you want something more special, the Trattoria Monti is supposed to be excellent, but you need to reserve in advance. It specializes in the cuisine of Le Marche, where I live, which is probably why I haven't felt compelled to eat there.

MmePerdu

I don't have a personal recommendation for you but have a friend who stayed in the town of Fiumicino and enjoyed it. I just had a look on Booking.com and there seems to be a wide range of possibilities. I hate, more than just about anything, to get up early for the trip to an airport so usually stay nearby for a more leisurely departure. In your situation, especially with a group, I'd stay nearby for a short cab ride to the terminal.

Judy_Rosa

We are only two on the final night in Rome as our kids will have already left.

I will certainly get to the airport by 8am for the 11am flight. Appreciate the info.

As for staying near the airport, I think I'd rather be in Rome my last evening rather than near the airport.

I will get up at dawn if necessary to make it to the airport on time!

Blueeyedcod

It's only 10-15 minutes from Piazza Navona, Pantheon area to Termini station so stay somewhere beautiful for your last night, have dinner and wine and take a walk, have some gelato. No need to stay near Termini - it's an unattractive rat-race.

If you want transport to the airport, Rome Cabs (the car service) will take you there for 52 euro door to door, otherwise the Leonardo Express from Termini costs 14 euro per person.

In terms of somewhere to stay, budget is always a consideration, however for around 200 euro per night, the Hotel Portoghesi is in a charming street, minutes from Piazza Navona and even close to Castel Sant'Angelo. There are gorgeous views of St. Peter's from Ponte Umberto - a lovely way to spend your final night in Rome is to watch the sun set from this little vantage point.
http://www.hotelportoghesiroma.it/

Hope this helps you, Judy. Marathon planning is almost over

Judy_Rosa

Agreed!!! Will check out the hotel, thanks Blueeyedcod! You are awesome!

sandralist

Don't know if you plan to turn in fairly early the night before your departure or if you both are sound sleepers no matter what, but I like to read reviews to learn specifically about noise for hotels.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

Most of the time in Rome I rent an apartment, but the last time I passed through for a night and stayed in a hotel it was the Princeps Boutique Hotel in Monti, and it was absolutely quiet and quite nice, as is the Monti neighborhood for evening strolling and nearby sights. The hotel was brand new, so we might have gotten a promotional rate, but what we paid was definitely under your budget

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ome_Lazio.html

If the focus of your last night in Rome is dinner, you might want to pick your restaurant first and then stay nearby. Monti has a number of nice restaurants. However, if you are planning to turn in early, you might not want a big meal (although if that's the case, Urbana 47 in Monti serves lighter meals, small plates and starts serving earlier in the evening)

http://www.urbana47.it/home/

bvlenci

I thought the budget was €200 for four people. If I'm mistaken, some of the hotel suggestions you just got should be fine, but otherwise, they're probably over your budget.

sandralist

(Before somebody argues with me, Princeps Boutique Hotel is inside Esquilino, at the edge of the Monti rione. You can actually walk the distance between Termini and the hotel, although we took a cab given how much luggage we were hauling on a stinking hot day)

sandralist

bvlienci,

half the party will have left by the end of the trip, so the hotel is for 2 people, one night.

Judy_Rosa

Yes, thank you sandralist for clarifying - our children will have left by then so it's just DH and me.

Judy_Rosa

I've thought about what blueeyedcod said about making my last night in Italy special...so given that idea, I was thinking about staying our last night in Trastevere.

The first week of our trip we will be staying in Campo de'Fiori - at a 2 bedroom apartment with our children. So we will have spent enough time in the historic center....

DH really wanted to spend some time in Trastevere, but there won't be enough time for us to do that during that first week, so I was thinking maybe our last afternoon/night will be spent in that area, just relaxing and taking in the scene. And a nice dinner, of course!

If anyone has stayed in Trastevere and can make a recommendation that would be greatly appreciated. Same price point....~ EUR 200.

Blueeyedcod

Judy there is a beautiful place in Trastevere called Residenza del Cedro, on Vicolo del Cedro, 11 - you can find it through Booking.com - it is a tiny hotel with just three rooms in an historic house - they have been fully refurbished - the rooftop room has a terrace with a jacuzzi!

The location is on a tiny, charming street (and it's quiet) but a few minutes walk to Ponte Sisto and Piazza Di Santa Maria. Hope this helps.

re the Portoghesi, a quick search of the TA reviews using their search feature reveal they mention the windows in the hotel screen *out* the street noise - and the bulk of the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, particularly mentioning location. I can't direct you to verified reviews as this hotel doesn't use Booking.com