It seems that the Piazza Navona/Pantheon gets the best votes for location. How convenient is this area to get to the train station? We have kids, and plan on arriving by train and do a day trip by train. Arriving 9 pm, I'm concerned about getting to the hotel. Are we better to consider Spanish step area, as it is directly on a Metro line? I'm not interested in staying in Termini.

Hi, Joe. I stayed in the Campo dei Fiori area, which is near Piazza Navona. I took the 64 bus to and from the Termini Station which stopped close enough to my hotel to walk the rest of the way. Your hotel should be able to tell you if they are close to a bus line. Otherwise, there's always a cab. However, I would definitely recommend taking a cab to your hotel the first time you arrive in Rome. The bus will be packed in the mornings and it's no fun with luggage. I stayed near the Spanish Steps the last time I was in Rome. The area is nice, but I'd go with Piazza Navona/Pantheon if I were you.

By the way, a note on taking the bus: You can buy bus tickets (biglietti) at any store labeled 'Tabacchi'. Be sure to validate your ticket in the yellow machines on the bus. If they're not working, write the date on them. The tickets are checked at random and you can be charged if they're not validated.

Joe:<BR><BR>We stayed near the Piazza Navona, and it was great! Our kids especially loved the street entertainers at night. Also the gelatto, and being able to walk to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps (with everything in between). We took a cab to the train station when we left, and it seemed like a pretty long way to me. So I'd second Vita's advice about taking a cab when you first arrive. I'm assuming that you'll have a lot of luggage if you're traveling with kids, and getting around in a new place and keeping everything all together can be overwheming. However, once you ditch the luggage, you'll find (or we did, anyway) it fairly easy and a lot of fun to use the buses and the subway. Have fun! We absolutely loved Rome!

We always took a cab to our hotel upon arrival in each town/city because you are tired and in unfamiliar territory.<BR><BR>After that we took a bus or walked all over the city. Our hotel was near the Termini and we walked back from Piazza Navona one evening not so much because we wanted to, but we had to because we got on a bus about 9 or 9:30 pm and we ended up in the bus terminal at the end of the line!! We didn't know the buses shut down early that night and we were left in a very dark, unfamiliar area of Rome and there were no taxis in sight. We ended up walking all the way back to our hotel and despite the fact it was a beautiful night, we were very miserable because we were tired and sore and a little frightened on some streets. You definitely don't want to end up with something like that on your first night and with kids!! Take a cab!! It's worth it. After that the bus/metro system is fabulous and easy.<BR><BR>Piazza Navona is my absolute favourite place-I love the atmosphere - but I was also very happy with our hotel near the Termini, Hotel Oceania.

Joe - Termini is about 15 mins by bus (No.64) from Piazza Navona. <BR><BR>From Termini, No.64 leaves from Piazza dei Cinquecento outside the station.<BR><BR>From Piazza Navona, catch the 64 from Corso Vittorio Emanuele (which is 2 mins. walk from Piazza Navona).<BR><BR>The 64 runs very frequently - about every 5 mins.<BR><BR>Steve<BR><BR>P.S. Beware pickpockets on this bus.<BR><BR>

I have used the bus and cab from the station. I would definitely go with the cab on arrival. It is not expensive. I would take the bus back for the daytrip. I don't remember the bus numbers, but it looks like Steve has provided numbers and locations. Most buses pick up right outside the train station, but others leave the station from across the street. If you don't see the bus you want (if leaving from the station), just ask one of the bus employees to direct you. It helps to pick up a city map with bus routes from one of the kiosks after you arrive. However, it may take you a few minutes to make any sense out of it unless you are &quot;very&quot; familiar with Rome.

joe -the 64 bus is the most notorious for pickpockets in all Rome--and they are very very good

Joe, you will be arriving after dark I assume, I would take a cab to the hotel and then venture out from there. Take the bus back to the station when you leave after you are oriented with Rome and potential pickpockets, etc.<BR>If you have kids, a cab is the best when you first arrive at night.

Thanks for all the information! We will be travelling light, ie back packs for each of us, but I agree with the points made on arrival. Will the taxi's allow 2 adults and 2 children in one, or will we need to split and take two?

I am sure they will allow all of you in one cab with your light luggage, you should probably sit in the front seat though.<BR>If there is any problem, ask in the taxi line at the train station for a larger cab. By the way only get in the cabs that are legal and in the taxi line, dont let anyone try to get you in their cabs if they are not in the line, the cost will be alot more after you get to your destination, because they are not a regular taxi.

Just to agree with Nora. Go the the front of the taxi line outside the train station. Do not go with one of the taxi drivers waiting just outside.<BR><BR>We were in Rome in November, the one right outside the door who offered his services quoted us 50 euros. We went to the front of the taxi line and got a taxi with a meter. It was less than 20 euros. Our hotel was 1 block off Piazza Navona.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful trip.

Your hotel will probably arrange a taxi to meet you if you ask them. It is nice not to have to queue or worry about how much you will be charged. We booked airport pickup through our hotel last year and all went smoothly.

We travel with the kids and pack light as you do. Take the cab from the airport and stay in Piazza Navona.<BR><BR>Please be alert to an airport scam, though. Make sure you walk outside the airport to the actual taxi rank--there are really talented transportation scam artists on the inside with walkie talkies who quite efficiently approach you offering you &quot;cab&quot; service. I was aware of the scam because of this board; however, I was in the restroom when they approached my husband who wasn't aware of it. I can't say we were truly ripped off--the cab was a late-model van, very clean, and the driver spoke excellent English. We were delivered to our hotel speedily and safely. But we ended paying $30 over the going rate.

Joe - You might want to consider a pre-booked limo rather than taxi. These seem to get good reviews here:<BR><BR>www.limoservicerome.com<BR>www.airpor tshuttle.it<BR><BR>Steve