liverbird

I haven't been to Rome for about 30 years now, so feel it's time to return!
I will be there end of May for a week, now I'm OK in places like Venice & Nice on my own, they're small, compact cities, but Rome seems very busy & daunting to me.
I can't seem to get a feel from maps, is it compact to get around? I have a heart problem, so will use buses as I can't, unfortunately, wander for ages. I hate that I can't as I find it's often the best way to view a city, just meandering through the streets.
I'm staying near Park Pamphilj, which I'm told is 5 minutes on the bus from St. Peter's.
Any help or advice gratefully received!
Many thanks.

Zerlina

Central Rome is perfectly safe. It is also compact and well served by public transport.

However, if your hotel is close to Villa Doria Pamphilj park, it is not central and will entail taking more than one bus to get to most places in Rome.

kybourbon

I would change to a more central hotel unless you plan to only visit St. Peter's (not so sure that 5 minutes by bus is accurate). What's the name of the hotel?

lowcountrycarol

Another vote for a more centrally located hotel. Have you ruled out staying in the historic center (near P. Navona, Pantheon or C. Fiori) for any reason? There you can see the most with less walking and are you would be near to busses for sites "on the fringes"

elcon

Hello Liverbird. I am also a solo female traveller> I went to Rome two years ago solo and it was great. I share the views of the previous posters regarding a more central hotel. Unless you don't plan to explore the rest of the city or really don't mind being a bit out of the way. I heard horror stories about "gypsies" and "street people" bothering tourists before I went and was very concerned about pickpockets. Everything went ok, and I wasn't bothered at all. The worst I encountered were vendors constantly trying to short change me. It happened everywhere, even at museums. Just be aware of your surroundings and count your change carefully. Rome is wonderful and I can't wait to go back. Have a great time.

liverbird

Thanks so much for your speedy replies.
I'm actually doing a home exchange, so it is all a bit vague initially. I did realise it was a residential area, but the info given was that it was 3 mins(not 5 as I originally said) by bus from St Peter's, so I stupidly presumed that was fairly central.
Apparently it's 5 minutes walk from St Cornelia's subway station & a bus station. I've been trying to find them on a map without much luck as they seem to be off it, which doesn't bode well for being central does it??
I had hoped to be more central, or at least to be able to get there without changing buses, as I have the worse sense of direction in the world!
I'm not even sure where the centre of the city is considered to be, is it Piazza Navona area?
Thanks again, hoping this isn't as bad as it initially seems!

jubilada

Address?

Zerlina

Have a look at this map for the location of the Cornelia Metro stop:
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=4
If it's near the Metro stop, it will be easy enough to take the Metro to somewhere central and either walk or take a bus to wherever you want to go: Spagna to walk the historic center, Termini to take another bus or change to the other Metro line. But no way is it three minutes by bus to St. Peter's Basilica: It's four stops by Metro, and that will take longer than three minutes.

You can also use Google Maps to pinpoint your location.

Zerlina

P.S. The official center of the city is Piazza Venezia.

kybourbon

Do you have a street name for the apartment? I'm somewhat familiar with the Cornelia metro stop area. Do a search for Piazza Irnerio Roma on Google and click on the map that pops up. From the Piazza Irnerio/via Aurelia intersection, it's only a minute or two walk to the Cornelia metro station even though it looks like it would take longer (just a couple of short blocks). At the Piazza Irnerio intersection there is a McDonald's on the corner. Across the street is a parking lot with an open air market(s) to the right (if your back is to McD's and you are facing the parking lot). Behind the open air market is a large two-level supermarket.

There are lots of buses at Aurelia/Piazza Irnerio as it's a busy intersection. I imagine you would catch the Vatican bus there. It may be faster to take the bus to the Vatican, than the metro. If you find the Vatican on this bus map (may take a minute to load), zoom in to about 200% and locate Corneila (behind the Vatican), you will see the bus numbers (black=everyday, blue=workdays, red=holiday/Sunday). Some of these buses will go to Terminal Gianicolo next to the Vatican. Some of them will make stops before they reach Gianicolo (at Piazza del Sant'Uffizio) which will be more convenient for St. Peter's and less walking (maybe bus 46?) than taking the subway. Bus 46 should go all the way to Piazza Venezia.
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=2

The slanted street that runs from Piazza Irnerio to Cornelia (via Bartolo da Sassoferrato) used to have a good restaurant (Joseph's? Jonathan's?). I think it's still there.

SusanP

I would definitely want to be more central, but I guess if it's a home exchange, you can't change. That said, I am in my 50's and have spent a lot of time in Rome (7 trips) by myself and have never felt unsafe. Use the usual precautions of being aware of your surroundings.

J62

The "official" center of the city is irrelevant information. Here on Fodors most people consider the area around Piazza Navonna/Pantheon/Campo di Fiori to be the historic center. Walking distance to many sights & many pedestrian only zones.

The subway system in Rome doesn't pass through the historic center, but there is good bus service that runs along the main road - Corso Vittorio Emmanuel, with main hubs at Largo Argentina and Pza Venezia for transfers.

If your home swap is already a done deal, then great - where you're staying is settled. You'll be outside the main tourist area and will get to experience Rome differently than most tourists.

The subway from Cornelia will be very convenient to take you to sights like the Vatican museums, Spanish Steps, and colosseum (transfer from A line to B line at Termini).

I find that for non-city dwellers who aren't used to riding buses, figuring out the Rome bus system can be daunting at first. Once you get the hang of it, however, it can be a great tool for getting around, especially if you can find a direct route that gets you close to where you want to go.

The like from kyb is good for bus info. There's also nothing wrong with simply hopping in a taxi to take you back home at the end of the day either. Finding a taxi near the tourist sights is easy - there are official taxi waiting areas scattered here and there. I don't speak Italian, and since many streets may sound alike, I like to have a printed address to hand to a taxi driver so there is no confusion and I don't end up on the far end of town.

liverbird

wow- as ever, I am astounded at the detailed information given on Fodors! Thank you all so much, & kybourbon, that advice was perfect- I finally found the area I'm staying on the map. It is much further out than I'd hoped,which is disappointing, more expensive if I'm really wiped out & need taxi's etc, but it does look to be near good transport links- although people do stretch the truth a bit re walking time from apartment to buses etc when home exchanging! I do prefer to use buses when I'm alone, I feel safer somehow. The deal is done, so it is too late to change plans now. I'm not even sure yet of the exact address, the lady is away for a few days, so have to wait for that.
Thank you Zerlina for all your advice too, & to elcon & Susan for your words of encouragement.

liverbird

J62, our messages must have crossed, so I just wanted to thank you for your input too.
I presume I'll be able to get bus maps/routes from bus station or tourist info?

elaine

I've been to Rome a few times, most recently last fall, and I keep a travel file. If you'd like to see it, email me ESL1051 at yahoo dot com

julies

We too normally like to be more centrally located if we are doing non-stop sightseeing, but I think you should have an interesting experience in truly living like a local and shopping in the neighborhood grocers etc. Lots of times this is what we remember more than church # 95 and painting # 147.

Enjoy your trip, and I think you'll be fine as long as you observe the same cautions you'd observe anywhere in any large city. My guess is that you wouldn't be venturing into what all guidebooks refer to as somewhat seedy neighborhoods to be in at night anyway if you are a sole middle-aged female because the things that some of those neighborhoods contain aren't typically what would call to someone of our age (I'd classify myself the same as you).

ncounty

I had booked a hotel in this area as well. They make it sound so close and easy. I think I will change to another more central location. It is for my last night after a cruise and I fly out the next morning at 11 am from FUM. It looks like trastevere would be most convenient since the line to FUM seems to go through there. Any thoughts?

kybourbon

The buses are easy to use in Rome as is the subway. These links (with pictures) will teach you how to use the bus system. Make sure you are on the side of the street in the direction you want to go.
http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportation/bus
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/rome_t...tation/bus.htm
http://www.roninrome.com/%20transpor...-metro-in-rome

Normally, I suggest buying the Roma Pass (25€) which gives you transportation for three days, entrance to two sites (best value - Borghese and Colosseum/Forum/Palantine) and discounts at others. You will probably be better off buying a regular transport pass for the week. The CIS pass is for 7 days and cost is 16€.
http://www.atac.roma.it/index.asp?p=19&i=14
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2

Up the hill on Aurelia from the supermarket is a big police station so you will probably see lots of police cars. Across the street from the police station are several convents so you will also see lots of nuns also (on the buses/subway going to and from the Vatican). If your apartment isn't far from the metro stop, I don't think you will have any problems even at night.

nnolen

Hi liverbird,

I just got back from Rome yesterday from a solo trip. I am 34 years old and was just fine. As long as you keep your wits about you, you will have a lovely time. (It might not hurt if you learn a bit of Italian - not sure if you already speak some or not).

Buon viaggio!

deladeb

A friend was carrying her prescription sunglasses in a pouch attached through her belt loop. It was snatched (and the belt loop ripped). The theif must have thought it was a camera or cell phone.