Airport trains in Rome and Barcelona
Apr 4th, 2015, 06:48 AM
#1
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Airport trains in Rome and Barcelona
Good morning!
I'm flying from the USA to Rome, and then from Rome to Barcelona. I've heard plenty about both cities' reputations for having lots of pickpockets and the occasional mugging, and about what travelers can do to make themselves less of a target.
I'm planning to take the airport train into the city, and then walk the last few blocks to my hotel. I will have a wheeled suitcase and a backpack. So I will definitely look like a tourist.
What I'd like to know is what precautions others on this forum have taken to stay safe while riding public transit with luggage, or walking from a subway stop to their hotel with luggage.
For whatever it's worth, I've ridden airport trains and walked to hotels with luggage in other cities like San Francisco, Berlin, and Beijing, and never been pickpocketed, robbed, or even felt threatened.
Thank you!
I'm flying from the USA to Rome, and then from Rome to Barcelona. I've heard plenty about both cities' reputations for having lots of pickpockets and the occasional mugging, and about what travelers can do to make themselves less of a target.
I'm planning to take the airport train into the city, and then walk the last few blocks to my hotel. I will have a wheeled suitcase and a backpack. So I will definitely look like a tourist.
What I'd like to know is what precautions others on this forum have taken to stay safe while riding public transit with luggage, or walking from a subway stop to their hotel with luggage.
For whatever it's worth, I've ridden airport trains and walked to hotels with luggage in other cities like San Francisco, Berlin, and Beijing, and never been pickpocketed, robbed, or even felt threatened.
Thank you!
Apr 4th, 2015, 07:19 AM
#2
Barcelona: the Metro used to be a prime spot because there are lots of distractions and there can also be crowd situations. Simply protect your valuables with appropriate storage and remain alert to the so-called "usuals" including being approached by someone asking for directions, things being spilled on your clothes, etc. These people often work in pairs.
Termini in Rome used to be an absolute sideshow of pickpocket mania and people used to watch them at work from the second level.
Do not let any personal effects or baggage out of your sight; consider using a moneybelt, etc.
I am sure you will get lots of suggestions.
Termini in Rome used to be an absolute sideshow of pickpocket mania and people used to watch them at work from the second level.
Do not let any personal effects or baggage out of your sight; consider using a moneybelt, etc.
I am sure you will get lots of suggestions.
Apr 4th, 2015, 07:28 AM
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In Barcelona, take a bus to town rather than train...much better connection. Right to the center
of Barcelona.
I have heard stories about pickpockets in Barcelona....just not my experience.
.Have not been to Rome in several years....there, it was the buses we were warned about.
of Barcelona.
I have heard stories about pickpockets in Barcelona....just not my experience.
.Have not been to Rome in several years....there, it was the buses we were warned about.
Apr 4th, 2015, 03:17 PM
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Keep an eye on your luggage at all times. Don't let yourself get distracted. On metro and trains, try to sit (or stand) as far away from the door as possible. Don't look rich. Don't take out your wallet in a metro station; thieves watch where you put it back and signal to an accomplice on the platform, so keep your tickets and a small amount of money in a pocket or loose in your purse so you don't need to pull out the wallet. Actually, keeping all your money and cards loose in your purse means a thief can't get all of it. In a metro station, walk down the platform a good distance. The thieves working in teams stay near the turnstiles so they can signal each other.
The most risky spots in Rome according to the most recent report I saw were the Repubblica metro station and the Cavour metro station. These are both near Termini station but maybe a little less patroled. Still, I use these stations fairly often and have never had a problem.
The most risky spots in Rome according to the most recent report I saw were the Repubblica metro station and the Cavour metro station. These are both near Termini station but maybe a little less patroled. Still, I use these stations fairly often and have never had a problem.
Apr 8th, 2015, 07:35 AM
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You don't need a car service from Barcelona airport to town. It's relatively cheap (for an airport to city center trip) - ours cost about 28E and that was with heavy traffic and having to go up La Rambla to access our flat (by cab). With the exchange rate near par, a 25E cab ride is $27 - that's good value.
The stories about Barcelona pickpocketing are numerous and true. There are all sorts of scams and tricks. My old man was targeted for the stop-and-bump pick on the Metro - one jackwagon stopped to "tie his shoes" at the top of an escalator blocking the old boy's passage. Pops clocked what was going on, kicked the shoe-tier in the arse, and watched as the shoe-tier's partner ran past Pops as they both scampered out of the station.
I walked through many parts of Barcelona with two small distractions with me at all times (short people who look like the wife) and a f--- you glare that I retired only when we'd reached our destination of the moment. The glare was for the Metro, La Rambla, Barri Gotic, El Born and especially the Raval. Not used in Eixample or near Montjuic where the streets are wider and you can avoid crashing into others.
The stories about Barcelona pickpocketing are numerous and true. There are all sorts of scams and tricks. My old man was targeted for the stop-and-bump pick on the Metro - one jackwagon stopped to "tie his shoes" at the top of an escalator blocking the old boy's passage. Pops clocked what was going on, kicked the shoe-tier in the arse, and watched as the shoe-tier's partner ran past Pops as they both scampered out of the station.
I walked through many parts of Barcelona with two small distractions with me at all times (short people who look like the wife) and a f--- you glare that I retired only when we'd reached our destination of the moment. The glare was for the Metro, La Rambla, Barri Gotic, El Born and especially the Raval. Not used in Eixample or near Montjuic where the streets are wider and you can avoid crashing into others.
Apr 8th, 2015, 01:21 PM
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At BCN, Aerobus is quick, easy, inexpensive, available every five minutes. We do it every time.
http://www.aerobusbcn.com/
http://www.aerobusbcn.com/
Apr 8th, 2015, 01:28 PM
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We arrived at El Prat fairly late, so took a cab to our apartment in the Gothic Quarter. It was a very reasonable price - 20 or 25E as stated above - and I felt better not wandering around lost with luggage.
On the way back, we took the Aerobus from Placa Catalunya. Very easy and inexpensive.
In general, I have a padded bag for my SLR camera which flaps and clasps shut, rather than zips, so I kept the flap side toward me in the metro and when just walking around, always with my arm over it. If one of us was buying metro tickets or using the ATM, the other kept watch. We heard and saw many warnings of pickpockets, but stayed generally alert, and didn't have any issues ourselves. We could have, I'm sure - maybe we were just lucky - but being aware seemed to be the key.
On the way back, we took the Aerobus from Placa Catalunya. Very easy and inexpensive.
In general, I have a padded bag for my SLR camera which flaps and clasps shut, rather than zips, so I kept the flap side toward me in the metro and when just walking around, always with my arm over it. If one of us was buying metro tickets or using the ATM, the other kept watch. We heard and saw many warnings of pickpockets, but stayed generally alert, and didn't have any issues ourselves. We could have, I'm sure - maybe we were just lucky - but being aware seemed to be the key.
