We will be in Rome and want to take a side trip to Ostia Antica. Is it better to have a guide or can you do it on your own with your own guidebook? Train or bus travel to there?Thanks.

This may help: http://www.twenj.net/romesightsexcurse.htmstia

You don't need a guide at Ostia Antica. When you pay for admission at the entrance gate, you can buy a guide there (in English if you prefer) that will give descriptive information of the monuments, sites, etc throughout Ostia Antica. It is nice because Ostia Antica is much less frequented than Pompeii that you can actually walk around without seeing anyone nearby! I recommend even bringing a bagged lunch of panninis or something as you can sit around on the ancient benches, or on the grass in the shade and enjoy a picnic in a most wonderful place. Alternatively, there is a small, road-side cafe right outside of the train station, before you cross over the foot bridge to the Ostia Antica site.

We did this trip in January and it was very easy to get to using the underground train out there-its about a 20 minute ride. We used our 3 day unlimited passes to get out there and it was a breeze-like riding out to suburbia.The guidebook purchased at the front gate is very helpful.The place does have a cantina type restaurant on the grounds that was good for hot/cold food with ice creams,etc.I personally feel that Ostia and Pompeii are so different in terms of feel,ruins,etc. If you can get a chance to see both I would. Ostia Antica is very shady and secluded while Pompeii is full sun with more tourists. Have fun !

Many thanks to all of you for your info. Lots of helpful tips and the twenj.net/romesightexcurse.htm is a great website for all kinds of Rome topics.

i agree with the other posts but i would recommend doing a half day there and then taking the train to the next stop on the town which is on the sea. have lunch and a lazy afternoon eating lunch and drinking wine.

Easily done by train - we were able to use our 7 day transport pass.

I took a trip to Europe 25 years ago, after college. Don't remember much detail from that long ago, but vividly remember how hauntingly beautiful Ostia was. Enjoy yourself.

Agree that it's easy to get there, but a guide really brings the place to life. Bellini Travel can recommend someone.

I went to Ostia Antica as well and enjoyed it.

I disagree with the poster above that says it is shady there. I was there last summer when they had their heat wave and found it to be extremely hot and not shady.

As for the guide, there were several people at the entrance or close to it that approached us and asked if we wanted a one hour or three hour tour. They were obviously free lancers and looking back, I probably would have taken at least the one hour tour.

It is unique and fun. When you get off the train and cross the ped bridge, get some water at the little stand there...cheaper than buying it in Rome and bringing it with you.

I was just there about two weeks ago, and it definitely was NOT shady! I am so ghostly white that I slathered on the sunscreen like it was going out of style!

It was a wonderful place to visit, and I did about a half-day there with a guide. It was a good choice that worked well for me.

Buon Viaggio,
BC