We are two adults going to Rome with a 6yr old girl in late April for 1 week. Staying at the Westin Excelsior and we need some advice from the wonderful fodorites here. Which is better, express train or bus from the airport and then taxi or bus from Termini? We will have 1 medium bag each. Also, there are many great restaurants here but cannot tell if they will fit our budget. Any recommendations in our area or close by? In this economy, our budget will have to be medium priced or budget places with maybe one splurge, please no high end recos! Also, for the Vatican Museum, Colosseum, etc, is it a good idea to get tix online before going? Last but not least, is it advisable to take umbrellas during this time of year? Never been to Italy and have no idea of the weather(only have historical data)...Thanks so much in advance.

Hi hppygirl,

I haven't travelled with a young child, but I think I can help with some of your questions.

For getting to your hotel from the airport, I really recommend taking a pre-booked taxi service directly to your hotel (especially since you will be traveling with a 6 year old who will probably be tired/grumpy after the flight- I know I'm always tired and grumpy after flying!). I used Rome Shuttle Limousine both from and to the airport and was very happy with their service. Here's the website:

http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/

There are a couple of other companies that I've seen other posters recommend. A search might find them in older posts.

Umbrella? - Yes! I would bring one each just in case.

If you aren't booking a tour, I would definately recommend pre-booking your tickets to the Vatican Museum. You can do this on the Vatican Museum website (there is a 2 euro booking fee) The lines at the Vatican Museum are very loooooong, you do not want to be standing around in that mess with a 6 year old. With the pre-booked tickets, you simply print-out your reservation confirmation and take it right up to the first museum guard you see standing outside. Just push your way through the people, show the man your confirmation, and he will let you pass in through the doors.

For the Borghese Gallery, you must pre-book your admission, it's the only way they allow you in.

For the Coliseum, the same ticket gives you entry into the Forum. I bought a Roma Pass at the Forum and there was no line up at all, although that was in December. Apparently the line ups are always generally shorter at the Forum, so you might want to consider getting your tickets there.

I can't help with restaurants but there are some great trip reports floating around with really good restaurant ideas. Again doing a search would be your best bet.

Thanks so much for your quick reply! I do have some ideas already but have to narrow everything down.

hppygirl, AL answered your questions...I just want to chime in and say how much fun you're going to have traveling with a 6-year-old. When our son was 8, we took him to Italy for the first time...and we could not have had a more wonderful experience. Italians LOVEloveLOVE children...you will feel not only welcome, but also enthusiastically embraced.

Buon viaggio!

As for reasonably-priced restaurants...they're on every corner & in-between corners! Honestly, I've been traveling in Italy for decades, and I have rarely had a bad meal, and have rarely eaten in any restaurant that is touted in a guidebook.

Don't be afraid to take a risk and eat in a no-name, no-atmosphere place. One of the best pizzas my husband and I had last year was in a funky hole-in-the-wall next to a gas station -- we would never have sought out the place, but we were ravishingly hungry, and decided to check it out. Even the "fast food" in Italy is good -- fresh, non-processed, and lovingly homemade.

hppygirl,
Saw your post from last year. We are going early April with our 7 yr old daughter. Did you take the bus from airport or taxi? We are well travelled. what is your recommendation. Any other advice that you could share with me? Is taking a tour better to see attractions or going on your own at the child's pace?

THanks!