CUFFLNX

Trying to assist a friend deciding between spending close to $1000 to buy the shore excursion to Rome and the Vatican or public transportation. How best to use public transportation from Civitavecchia to Rome; cab, train, cab? Train? Private car?

dutyfree

$1000-they are nuts!I will let the regular cruise people chime in but I have taken the train before from Termini station in Rome and it stopped at Civitavecchia on the way up to Genoa.It was inexpensive and very easy and I know from observation that many cruise people do it that way.Cabs are very easy to get once you are in Rome and they sure wouldn't be $1000.

Depending on the time allowed from the cruise ship and how many are going,I would train into Rome and make sure that you are in line for the Vatican ASAP in the morning as the lines in the summertime are ridiculous!

I fly to Rome and Athens almost everyweek for work during the summertime and the one thing that I try and stress to my passengers is that you cannot see either city in 6-8 hours. One must read their guidebooks and decide what is the most important thing for them to see and visit.
Hopefully,people that have done the cruises can be of help to you.

ellenem

There is a direct local train from Civitavecchia to the Roma San Pietro stop (close to the Vatican) that takes 40-50 minutes and cost 4-6 euro per person, two departures per hour.

CUFFLNX

THANKS, found similar info. The train is the way to go!!!

chocobon

The question is this: A shore excursion costs $235 pp for an excursion from the port near Rome and the excursion goes to the Vatican for the day. Is there a more reasonably priced method by which a family of four with a handicapped adult might achieve the same goal of visiting St. Peter's as well as the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel? The $235 pp excursion seems a bit over-priced for the day trip into Rome to Vatican City. THANKS Fodorites!

Dukey

yes, there is a way, Chocobon

They can take one of the local trains mentioned above from Civitavecchia to Termini in Rome but they would get off at the San Pietro stop. It is about a three-block or so walk from that railway station to St. Peter's Square itself...from there it is easy enough to go into the basilica or into the Vatican Museum.

You mention "handicapped" and of just what SORT are we talking about here?

Ideally they would take a taxi from where their cruise ship is ACTUALLY docked and the Civitavecchia train station.

There are STEPS involved at the San Pietro station not to mention the steps involved in seeing inside the Vatican Museum so a word to the wise....

Luisah

Yes. I went with my family a couple of years ago and we hired an air-conditioned van with driver to take us (six people) to Rome and back. Vans and cars were lined up in the parking lot so many people did this instead of taking the ship's excursion. It's about a 90 minute drive to Rome.

Check http://allarounditaly.net/ This is our driver, Fabrizio and we all liked him.

You can also check www.cruisecritic.com for comments and other options if Fabrizio is not available.

By the way, we did this in Athens and in Villefranche too -- paid a driver to take us where we wanted to go for a half day. I don't recall the name of company but may later.
It was great setting the itinerary and have local drivers.

Zerlina

The trains from Civitavecchia to Roma Termini do not go to Roma San Pietro train station; you have to change trains at Roma Trastevere.

It may be easiest to go to Roma Termini and take a taxi from there to St. Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums. St. Peter's Basilica is wheelchair accessible, and there are wheelchair-accessible routes in the Vatican Museums.

ellenem

"The trains from Civitavecchia to Roma Termini do not go to Roma San Pietro train station; you have to change trains at Roma Trastevere."

When I searched yesterday on Trenitalia for a train using today's date, it showed direct trains--no connections. Certainly the OP should verify closer to the date.

kybourbon

>>>>The trains from Civitavecchia to Roma Termini do not go to Roma San Pietro train station; you have to change trains at Roma Trastevere.

TiberLimoRome

In my opinion, it really depends on what the friend is willing to put up with. $1000 might be a little expensive, but there are other options. Even though the train is cheap and recommended by many, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for every situation. The trains can be crowded, may not drop off where you need to be and may make it harder on travel if you have several people in your party (or a lot of luggage).

Someone mentioned hiring a private car earlier, and depending on expenses this can be a viable option. There is more security, safety and reliability in hiring a private car than in taking local transportation. The trip, even though it's not a particularly long one, can also be more comfortable by private car. It will be more expensive than train or bus, but you're guaranteed to get to exactly where you want to do without a lot of added fees (like with taxis sometimes), and you're guaranteed that your party and luggage will be handled with care.

Perhaps expense isn't the only thing one should look at when working out transfer options.

olwagner

http://www.walktomycruiseship.com/civitavecchia.htm

Luisah

Check http://allarounditaly.net/ This is our driver, Fabrizio and we all liked him.

The rates to Rome and back to the ship are about $300 less then the ship will charge and you have your own drive who will take you where you want to go in Rome.

"Among our most requested services are tours from Italy's main seaports, where cruise liners dock in Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Livorno and Venice."

Dock Civitavecchia to Rome and return

4-8pax

Best of Rome
550 euros

olwagner

1000 - 300 = 700

So, 700 euros vs 11 euros (by train).

http://www.walktomycruiseship.com/civitavecchia.htm