Just starting our planning for a trip to Rome in October. We will have our 13 month old (at the time) with us. We'll have the carseat on the plane. Can it be used on the train? Is it easy to get cribs at hotels in Rome?

We have been to Rome but it was about 8 years ago. We'll be meeting up with family. So this isn't about seeing the sites in Rome, although we will hit a few. We've done the Vatican and have no need to do that again. We'd like to do a daytrip to see Pompei...I'm assuming the train is how we'd get there?

Any recs for a conveniently located hotel in Rome...convenient to transportation and sightseeing? And I'm looking to stay budget friendly...under $150/night...preferably under $130.

I really don't think a car seat on a train is necessary. What are you planning to do with it in Italy? Will you be driving?

You don't need a car seat on the train. Even if you buy an extra seat, there is no way to attach it to the seat (i.e. no belts or LATCH). Having it on the plane will be nice, but it will be a complete pain in the rear to lug around Italy.

I would suggest renting an apartment in Rome so that you & your partner will have a place to hang out after the bambino is asleep. I think the Piazza Navona area would suit you well. I have never had a problem getting a baby cot in Italy, and most of the restaurants also seem to have high chairs. Be aware that the cots are different sizes than in the US, so your crib/pack & play sheets won't fit. (I always used to like to bring my own sheet).

I think Pompeii is three hours via train from Rome, on the Eurostar or Trenitalia. Hopefully someone else can direct you further on that aspect. I do think that might be a bit far for a day trip. Can you spend one night there?

Don't worry about the pack & play sheet, just carry an extra blanket for the little one and use it as a mattress sheet. We did. Little ones like sleeping on soft fleecey blankets. Worse comes to worst, use your own portable crib (if you have one) and send it on the plane. After all, you get 6 bags in luggage (you, spouse and small one = 2 each because you seem to have bought a seat for the baby) for international flights and your pack & play won't weigh more than 50 lbs (the limit in steerage class).

Go to VRBO.com and see about apartments. Apartment renters often will supply travel cots for a small fee (like $30). Getting a hotel for sub-$130 with the dollar on the skids will be nearly impossible if you want one that is suitable for the baby. The dollar was $1.30/E1 when we went to Europe in late April. By October, the dollar may be at 1.45/1 for the Euro or worse.

We took our daughter to Rome when she was 8 months and had a wonderful time. You may find some useful tips in my posting/report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ravel-tips.cfm

I agree with the suggest to rent an apartment. We rented one and they provided a pack and play which worked fine and ends up being cheaper than a hotel in Central Rome.

We didn't try to take the train but I am sure it would have been fine and you don't need a carseat for it. Rome is great with a child. Have fun! Feel free to post any questions...