capkirk1

In my experience, all but once, (out of about 10 visits to the Museum) the line has been all the way down to within about 100 yards of the side entrace to the Piazza.

The walk from the train station to Piazza San Pietro is about 5 minutes as opposed to 15. All you have to do is go down to the station exit on Via Gregorio VII (you can walk down the platform to the stairs leading out) which is about 3-4 blocks from the Piazza. At this point it is a short stroll across the Piazza to the line waiting on the other side. This has been my experience from living near the Vatican and taking the train home everyday.

If the line is short, by all means, take the metro. If the line is long, take the train where you don't have to worry about the pickpockets and crowds nearly as much.

hopscotch

I walked from Termini to St. Peter's in 45 minutes and enjoyed every block of it, and the bridge.

Girlspytravel

I say too long-take Bus 64 at Termini-or do one of the hop on/off buses that will take you around to all the sites, plus you get that great view from on top of the double-decker-this bus will take you right in front of the Piazza San Pietro, and you can pick it back up and go on to somewhere else after your visit.

amandab

I'm really grateful for all responses. Will print it out and take it with me for ease of reference. I think I will need to study a map of Rome a little more. Im pleased to hear that even though the lines might be huge, they move quickly.

gard

Hi

Yes, it will take a while...depending on how much you stop along the walk Yes, I know you say that you are planning to go there directly but it is tempting to stop and watch when you pass by places like Forum, Collosseum, Piazza Venezia etc. Remember that you can check out the distance of Google Earth and from that you should be able to calculate how long it will take. I have made an interactive Google map of Rome by the way on http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy_map.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

camelbak

We did a whirlwind 1 day run around Rome at the end of September. Arrived at Termini from Florence at 10ish. I think we caught the 40 bus outside the station. Took about 15 minutes...wild traffic and twisting and turning on the bus...no idea if we were heading in the right direction! A nice lady on the bus confirmed that we were in fact on the right bus, and we just decided to get off when everyone else did (I think it was almost an express type bus to the Vatican). We got off near the river, a few blocks from St. Peter's square...and practically ran the entire way there, so excited and awestruck by it's beauty!!! The lineup for St. Peter's wound around the entire square...but only took us about 40 minutes to get in. I was surprised with how fast the line took...and we didn't feel like we were wasting time...people watching, taking time to take pics of the outside of St. Peter's, enjoying the sunshine...watching the traffic, and generally just saying "oh my gosh!!! We're really in ROme!!!".

Enjoy your day..you will fall in love with Rome. Just remember that you will mostly likely return....

amandab

Camelbak, that is fantastic. I can just imagine how you felt - we will be the same. I'll be telling myself the same thing 'wow, I'm in Rome', 'can't believe this is Rome'.etc. It will be very exciting and although just in Rome for a day, like you, I'm sure we will be able to squeeze in quite a bit. Many thanks.

JoanneH

One day in Rome - Time is money. Get in the cab line,spring the appx 10e ($13.35) to get to St. Peters\Vatican. You can always take the #64 bus back takes about 20-30min. Or take bus both ways. Watch for pickpockets on this one its well known as the pickpocket special.

hopscotch

Children of the carriage trade seem to be in the majority at Fodor's. Oh what they miss.