Rome is quite a challenge to plan for, as so many of the churches are closed at various times during the day. Is there any RELIABLE souce of opening and closing hours? Look at what I've gotten for Santa Maria in Trastevere:

DK Eyewitness Guide: 7 am to 9 pm
Rick Steves: 7 am - 5: 30 pm
Rome tourist website: 7:30-1 and 4-7
Fodors: 9-noon and 4-9
Frommers: 7:30-8 pm

No two sources have given the same info!

I know that some places have web sites, but IS there a reliable source for opening and closing hours if the church or other location doesn't have a web site?

No - there isn;t.

You can check their web sites and even call them the day before and then find out the info isn't accurate. My advice is to call them the morning you're going - and then hope for the best.

Mýssy - Just assume most churches close about 12.00 for a few hours.

Steve

But then how long do they stay open? 5:30? 7? 9?

Hello Missypie,
We recently experienced this same confusion. Because Monday, May 1, was a major holiday in Rome, we had trouble planning our day. I sent an email to Contextrome inquiring about a private tour of the Colosseum and Forum area. They responded that the Colosseum would be closed that day due to the holiday. When we arrived in Rome (I don't know if you're reading my current trip report or not...) I inquired at our hotel about the Colosseum. They made some calls and yes, indeed, it was open. Not only was it open, they offered a discount entrance fee. So...long story to say that I, too, found conflicting info which created difficulties in truly planning out our precious time. Good luck!

bookmarking

I usually aim to visit churches between about 09.00-12.00 or 16.30-19.00 to avoid any problem.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

missypie, that is Italy you are asking about where no opening hours are completely reliable. Sometimes there are no rhyme or reason why something is closed so you have to go with the flow. We learned this years ago. Any time anyone quotes about opening hours or days is merely a suggestion, even from the groundskeeper. Have fun.

Hmmm...we'll see how Italy and I get along. I really like to have things planned out in advance.

Quickly change your mindset! You cant get along in Italy if you are rigid in almost anything. Far niente all the way, Baby. La Dolce Vita doesn't have rigid rules. This is what draws people to Italy.

Part of it is financial, I admit. It doesn't seem like public transportation is of much use in Rome. So let's say we spend the money for my family of 5 to take two cabs to a given church...then it's closed. I can see getting a bit irritated if I flush money down the toilet like that very often.

Absolutely! I know the feeling.

God only knows.

Walking's free. Plus it'll wear them out faster so they won't want to go to as many places. Then there'll be less irritation if they're all closed when you get there.

You could try to arrange it so that you see a major sight near the church, followed or preceded by the church, which with any luck will be open. But that way you minimize your "losses".

If you walk from one destination to another, you are sure to see many appealing things along the way, so if you arrive and find the church closed, it won't seem so painful.

' It doesn't seem like public transportation is of much use in Rome.'

I use public transport all the time in Rome (- can't remember the last time I used a taxi there).

The passes are excellent value and cover both buses and metro ...

Steve

Missypie-

You will be surprised how easy it is to get around and how much stuff you will just find by walking around. I found that the public transportation system was quite good. If we wanted to get somewhere fast we took a cab. Have fun and enjoy your trip. Maybe we will see you in Florence .

So educate me on the public transportation system. I've looked at where the metro lines go and they don't seem to go much of anywhere we want to go. When I read about the busses, they are usually refered to as something like "the pickpocket express." We are staying in the Campo dei Fiori (sp?) area. What busses might be of use to get to the typical tourist areas (Vatican, Colleseum, etc.)?

Bus No 87 goes from nearby Corso Vittorio to the Colosseum.

Bus No 62 goes from Corso Vittorio (- other side) to the Vatican.
Bus No 64 also does this route but this is the infamous pickpocket express. Either avoid ... or do like I do and have nothing in your pockets

You can find all bus info on the ATAC website:
http://www.atac.roma.it/

Hope this helps ...

Steve

It's true that pickpocketing can happen on public transport, and does very often, so it would just be a matter of taking precautions.