Danimal

Which is the better of the two (with 2 large pieces of luggage). How much will it cost???

LoveItaly

I do not know what the cost is this month but I do know after flying from the westcoast of the US and arriving in Rome I would use a taxi. I stay in the Via Veneto area by the way.

I firmly believe there is a time and a place to save money and there are other times when it is not necessary to.

With 2 large pieces of luggage, and assuming you are flying into Rome from the US I would take a taxi.

Paci

Danimal: We flew into Rome and actually hired a private driver to take us to our hotel (Hotel Majestic) in the Via Veneto area. We were not familiar with Italy and we did not want to screw around trying to get to our hotel. My point is, it cost us 70E which we did not care about paying but you could probably get by with a lot less by just taking a taxi.

mv_rd

JennaJ recently did a trip report for her Italy honeymoon and used www.limoservicerome.com. She said she paid 45 Euros for two people.

damama

although i didn't post the question, thanks for the advice. I agree that after the end of a long flight, a taxi or car service is best. By the way, Paci, how did you like the Majestic? We are staying there in March.

BoulderCO

Assuming you are flying into Fiumicino airport you can take the Leonardo Express train to the Termini for about 9 Euros per person. From there you could take a taxi. Via Veneto is only about five minutes away. Should be less than 10 Euro for the ride. Taxi all the way would be more convenient of course but probably double the cost. I am assuming a single traveler - if you are two people traveling then the additional cost would not be much.

DonnieD

The answer to your question depends on how frugal you are. I personally could not rationalize paying 50-60 euro for a taxi from the airport.

The Leonardo Express train (9 euro) gets you to Termini and then the Metro Line A gets you into the Via Veneto area for another euro. Yes, the luggage can be cumbersome, but there is plenty of storage on the train.

Intrepid1

The only "problem" I can see with taking the Metro from Termmini to the Via Veneto is this: there are basically two stations for the VV..Barberini which is at the bottom of the VV and the Spanish Steps (Espagna) which is a troop through the tunnel to the top of the VV.

If you do take the train to Termini, I strongly recommend a cab for the remainder of the journey, especially after the flight, with the luggage, etc. There are MANY other ways you can save a few Euros but I do not feel that this should be one of them.

Intrepid1

And FORGET about trying to figure out those Metro ticket machines IF you can find one that is working properly. If you do use the Metro at any OTHER time during your Rome stay buy the tickets at a tobacco store or news stand.

Paci

damama (cute screen name): We stayed at the Hotel Majestic from 9/27/2004 thru 9/30/2004 and had a lovely room with a wonderful terrace overlooking Via Veneto. I thought it would be noisy but it wasn't. The room isn't huge but is laid out well and the bathroom is phenomenal, all marble with a wonderul jacuzzi, bidet, very large. The closet is a little small and doesn't have a light but no big deal. The dining area is also very pretty. The only small problem was that the morning concierge was a pain but the evening one was very pleasant. The location is the best and we walked everywhere. It is a beautiful area. Hope you have a wonderful trip. By the way, it was my birthday while there and they provided me with a wonderful complimentary bottle of champagne which I thought was very sweet.

LoveItaly

Paci, interested in your post and all the others.

Other posters have stated that staying in this area is not a good idea. I have never responded but thought to myself I love this area.

Guess I am not alone.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

damama

Thanks for the hotel information, Paci. Looking forward to staying there, especially since we are paying with AMEX points. By the way, what are people saying is wrong with the area?

i_am_kane

Damama (I agree - terrific name). In 2001, we stayed a the Hotel Alexandra on Via Veneto. Initially, (Plan A) we reserved a limo driver to pick us up at the airport, but he was a no-show.

Plan B: We got on the train, which dropped us off at Roma Termini, walked outside, got a cab, which at that time cost us $5.00.

Would the limo have been better? Probably yes, Was the train bad? No, and it got us right into mixing with Italians at the termini.

I did find the vespas whizzing by the hotel were annoying since we had a room facing the street (we changed to a rear room). However, that particular hotel has since been renovated and I believe they have put in upgraded windows.

Hope this helps.

Intrepid1

I like staying on or near the VV, too. Somebody here onec said they didn't like staying there because (get this) "It doesn't feel like the real Rome." It's real enough for me and I hope you have a wonderful time there too.

damama

What did they want, togas? Thanks for all the advice. I'm so excited and this forum just adds to the fun.