Arrival in Rome: Taxi or Private Driver???
 

Two of us plan to arrive in Rome in late September and will be staying at the Hilton Cavalieri. We will need transportation to our hotel from the airport. Would you suggest a taxi or a private car? Also, how much should I expect to pay for either one? Thanks Fodorites!!

Neither--take a shuttle van.
www.airportshuttle.it for about 35E

My husband and I had a private driver to and from the airport and it was 80 Euros, far too expensive. When I went to Rome alone after that, I took the train....

the train..remember our dollar keeps dropping against the euro...save those dollars for other great stuff...

RRT25,

I went on my honeymoon in Rome last January and one of the mistake I made was not hiring a driver to pick us up at the airport. A got really confused because people keep coming up to us asking if we needed a taxi. I knew that taxi drivers in Rome are not very honest but I guess I forgot this minor detail when I was planning my honeymoon.
I ended up tipping the cab driver 25.00 euro. I don't know why. Excitement or stupidity? you pick.

Hire a driver from the hotel. Trust me, I think you will feel better.

The second mistake I made was not staying longer in Rome. Ten days was not enough

Another vote for the train. It's easy, in the station, and costs less than 10 euro.

Take the Leonardo Express train. Runs every 20 minutes or so and gets you into Rome probably faster than a taxi could. When you get to Termini you can grab a taxi to your hotel.

Once you arrive in Termini, how fast/easy is it to get to Trastevere neighborhood (Piazza Santa Maria) of Rome? One thought I had is to take a taxi or private car directly from the airport to the Piazza, instead of going to Termini first. Thoughts?
Gohewig

There is a train that goes directly to Trastevere. Just make sure you don't get on the non-stop to Termini. A taxi from that station to your hotel will be less than 10 euro.

Of course, take the train and then taxi to your hotel from Termini. It only costs a bit more than the shuttle and you get to shlep your bags and mix with the local pick pockets. Great idea. The train is 10 each=20E then the taxi is 15E--that is only 35E and the taxi is only 40E---Hmmm ! I guess the shuttle is looking better now.

Private drivers are cheaper than taxis. I have taken LimoService Rome a couple of times. This is a private driver that meets you outside the baggage claim, walks you a short distance to his car, and drops you at your hotel for 45 euro. This is the going rate. Anyone who paid 80 euro got suckered by his hotel. It will take you 35 to 40 minutes from airport to hotel.

Sure, I've done the train. But you wait up to 20 minutes for the train, travel another 30 minutes on the train, lug your bags from the train platform to the taxi stand, wait in a very long line for the next taxi, then pay about 12 euros in taxi fare to your hotel (remember taxi drivers charge for the trip and for each bag.) Total elapsed time maybe an hour and 15 minutes. For this you paid 2 train fares at 10 euro and a taxi fare at 12 euro, total 32 euros. If you are arriving after a long trans atlantic flight, why put yourself through all of the effort of the train + taxi to save yourself 13 euros?

Don't take the airport shuttle for 35 euros. There will be a minimum of 3 other fares with you. You will wait for the shuttle, and you will probably be the last one off, getting a tour of the city and everyone else's hotel for an hour. All that to save 10 euro?

Pwen,
I just went to limoservice Rome's website and their cost is 59 euros. Am I looking at the wrong website. We are arriving this friday and were still deciding which way to go shuttle or private driver. Could you help me out???
Thanks
Nicky

Hello, a question..why does it cost more for trip from airport to Rome 41E (for 2) versus Rome to airport 34E??

Upon arrival at the airport last week, we were met by a driver in the terminal who held a sign with our names on it. The car was a new Mercedes. The price was 35 Euro for the ride to central Rome. This is a private car service, not a shuttle with other passengers.

We left the hotel yesterday, again in a new Mercedes, and the ride to the aiport again cost 35 Euro. The company we used was Rome Shuttle Limos, often recommended here, and I would not think of using anyone else on future trips.

Hi ekscrunchy,

Is the website for the limo service you used www.romeshuttlelimousine.com?

If not, please let me know the correct one.

Yes, that is the website. If you decide to book with them, send them your fight number and destination in Rome along with the booking request, to avoid numerous e-mails back and forth. The driver will wait in the arrival hall with a cardboard with your name on it.

Go to www.romecabs.com and check that out. For 45 Euros they will meet you when you exit customs and drive you right to your hotel in a Mercedes Minivan or Sedan. They will also give you a drive by tour of many of the sites in Rome on the way to the hotel. Sit back and relax after your flight. We've done the train several times and since using a driver, it's the only way to go. No hassle, no lugging baggage, no taxi once you get to Termini, etc.
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Thanks ekscrunchy and 2Italy,

I agree,in my younger days I tended to select the on the cheapest alternative but now...No Way. After an overseas flight I want to get to my hotel as easily and as comfortably as possible.

I've never been to Italy before so don't imagine I'll have quite the same degree of bravado as I usually do. Testing the waters before I take the plunge!

RRT25 (if you're still following this thread):

Whatever you do, don't take the train to Roma Termini. The Hilton Cavalieri is not in central Rome and taking the train would only get you a little closer to your hotel.

At the moment, a taxi ride from Fiumicino to central Rome is supposed to cost a fixed price of 40 Euro. Whether what has been introduced as an experiment will be renewed and in effect in September ia another question.

In my opinion, you are better off with a private driver. I've also used www.romeshuttlelimousine.com and been pleased with the service.

Thanks to all for the many suggestions. It seems like there are varied opinions on the subject. I appreciate ALL the input and will do some research with the great links that some have provided. Thanks, again. Ciao!