Getting from Rome to Civitavecchia.
 

Any advice/thoughts about doing this for six people with luggage? Thanks.

You can train for about 10€ each or hire a car service for about 120-140€

Sorry, it's only 4.50€ for the train.

Car service. Trains run from Termini but the station at Civtavecchia, is not right next to the where the cruise ships dock. (assuming you are going to Civtavecchia to join a cruise). By the time you pay for a taxi in Rome and Civtavecchia you'll wipe out any potential savings you might have had had you taken a car service, which would be door to door and much more convenient.

I took a look at a couple of car services and it seems they are more than what I listed for that many people. It will be more like 165-170€. There's no way a taxi to and from either train station will be 130€ so of course train/taxi combo will be much cheaper, but it's a matter of what you prefer. I would think a taxi in Rome from your hotel to the station would be around 20€ depending on where your hotel is and which station you choose to depart. If you are staying in the Piazza Navona area, then S. Pietro station will probably be closer.

http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/CivitavecchiaE.htm

http://www.limoservicerome.com/Servi...es.htm#Inglese

I've done that trip many times. My opinion is to rent a Hertz car in Leonardo Da Vinci and take a very pleasant drive to Civitaveccha. You can then drop off all your luggage at the embarkation site, along with your passengers, and drive the short distance to the train station, where the Hertz drop off is located. You can then take a walk to the port, which isn't far, especially if you're not lugging luggage, and meet your party. The one day rental should be about $35, which also makes it very economical. Once you leave the confines of Rome, the drive is gorgeous, along the shoreline. You also get to control your timing this way. If you have the leeway, you don't have to depend on others to get you places on time.

kybourbon has done the math and is correct that a taxi in both places wouldn't be 130 euros. I agree. However, you probably won't be able to hire a taxi that would accomodate all six passengers and luggage. Therefore, you will have to hire more than one cab.

Last year some friends went on a cruise from Civatavechia, they took the train and regretted the whole experience. They were ripped off by their taxi driver in Rome, and when they got to the port there had along wait for a taxi to get to the pier, they eventually started to walk and lug their luggage. From what they said there were only a few taxis (three or four) in the area and the taxis couldn't cope with the demand. Much of this, of course depends on how many ships are in port the day your cruise starts.

Hiring a car is a cheaper alternative to a car service, provided you are not staying in Rome the day before. Driving in Rome is a death wish.

With six people and their luggage what type of a rental vehicle would accomodate that many people and their luggage?

Or the following links may assist if you're prepared to use the train and some walking:

http://www.roninrome.com/%20transpor...-for-the-day-2

http://www.europeportreviews.com/Rome2.htm

Hertz rents out Chrysler minivans at the Rome airport.

ROMECABS.COM is the way to go. Used them a month ago for transfer to hotel from FCO, then Rome to port, port to Rome and finally Rome to FCO. VERY professional, clean comfortable air conditioned cars, friendly english speaking drivers who had a cold bottle of water for each of us upon entering the car. Highly recommend
Car for 6 people to port from Rome is 170 Euro. Check out trip advisor for more details.
Web site Romecabs .com

How much luggage? where are you staying in Rome? do you mind walking a ways? and what time of year are you going? If you answer these questions correctly, you can use the the train, otherwise, I'd suggest arranging for and splitting a service to transfer you.

It is not the easist transit as others have said but we are planning to give it a go. We are staying within walking distance of Termini - we are travling light (one medium, rolling suitcase) - we will walk about 15 to 20 minutes after arrival at the Civit. train station to where we can catch a port shuttle bus that goes to the different ships. We are going in May and trust that it will not be G-awful hot!

If by train you can also hop on these trains at Rome Ostiense, Travestere and San Pietro (Vatican) - maybe closer to some hotels than Termini.

FYI - Vatican and S. Pietro are two different stations. There has been talk of making the Vatican station accessible, but has not yet been done.

Yes indeed - i meant near the Vatican for S Pietro station - thanks for relaying the bit about trying to make Citte d Vaticano station open to public - i did not even know the Pope or anyone used it anymore.

I just took the train from Rome Termini to the port two weeks ago. Quick and easy - but be aware that when you get off the train, you will need to carry your bags down to an underpass beneath the tracks and then back up again to the street level. No elevator.

When you leave the Civitavecchia train station, turn right and walk along the waterfront about ten minutes. Look for the McDonald's. When you get there, you are at the port entrance and a guard will point to the free shuttle buses to your ship (just a few feet away on the next street over.)

Yes if sans heavy luggage and with wheels it is really a pleasant stroll IMO from the Civitavecchia train station along the boardwalk on the water to the port entrance

Thanks to all for the assistance!

suec1- to answer your questions - each of the six people will probably have a rolling suitcase and a backpack. We are staying near the Trevi Fountain. We don't mind walking a ways and we are going in early May. I too am hoping for temperate weather. Lots of sun though! Are you also going on a cruise? We are combining the trip to Italy with a cruise.

We like the train systems in Europe. Will we need to/are we able to pre-buy the tickets for a Monday morning trip?
I'm thinking that we would need to get to the Barbieri Metro (or 2 taxis) - to Termini - then to the port.
Carolinachris - thanks for the tips - good to know. We are a healthy group so the physical activity shouldn't be a problem. Even though we aren't really used to it. Being Canadian and living in the suburbs - Our lifestyle involves a car ride everywhere.

If you metro to Termini (it's only two stops away), everyone needs to be aware of their belongings. Pickpockets really work the metro so keep an eye on backpacks, try not to stand near the doors. It doesn't do any good to buy train tickets in advance for this route because it's mostly R trains that don't have reserved seats so the train can't sell out. Train prices will probably increase Dec. 13.

kybourbon - Thanks - good to know - six metro and train tickets will still be cheaper than a car service for six - right? What about time invested?