Rome -Safe for solo female traveller ?
 

Hi ,

I will be visiting Rome for the first time in the end of August.

Is it safe to use the public transport or walk around Rome by myself during daytime ( I usually try to avoid going out at night when I'm traveling by myself and I use money-belt)?

I read in some of the internet sites that there is moderate crime rate in Rome - pickpockets , robberies (not sure whether it's exaggerated). A little bit hesitant now but I'm very interested to see all the famous sites in Rome.

I am fairly alert and I have traveled by myself to some other cities in Europe such as Lisbon, London, Paris and Berlin and it was all good.

Rome is a bustling metropolis with people from all over. Neither I nor my wife or daughters ever felt uncomfortable anywhere in Rome, from dawn to late after dinner strolls down relatively quiet streets.

This includes crowded buses, busy piazze, and deserted overlooks (near the Forum)

by the way initially i booked for a hostel near Termini station, then I found that thats not a very good place to stay in Rome. I've changed it to Piazza Bologna as read in the reviews that the place is pretty okay.

I have visited many cities as a solo female traveller and always use good sense and take basic precautions. I stay in good, safe areas in good, clean, staffed hotels.

I am a morning runner so am out and about alone as soon as its light enough to do so. And I love to walk the streets of big cities at night. Again, use common sense, stick to well lit streets, etc.

As for public transport, I use the metro in Rome but not alone very late at night (they stop pretty early compared to Manhattan) but prefer to be in my own "neighborhood" when it is getting late.

You are experienced in big city travel and Rome is no different. I had bad experiences in Paris personally but have always been ok in Rome.

It's good not to be by Termini, not so much because it's unsafe but because it's a bit seedy in some areas and not as well located for seeing what you want to see. South of the train station would be one of the few areas you would want to avoid, but you have no reason to go there. Where is Piazza Bologna? I see there is a Via d. Bologna in Trastavere. Is that what you mean?

In the last two years, I've been fortunate enough to spend 30 days in Rome (over 4 trips) and never felt unsafe or threatened. Of course, you want to be alert and aware of your surroundings as you would in any big city.

I hope you won't let unfounded fear keep you from going out at night. Rome is so beautiful at night, and in the center of the city, there are lots of people out very late.

Forgot to mention that I've never taken the Metro but have had no problems on the bus. Naturally, you do want to watch your purse on a crowded bus.

I had no trouble whatsoever being a solo female traveller in Rome. I even walked around all alone at night. Nobody took any notice of me (or perhaps that's a bad thing lol).

As a solo female traveller whose preferred Rome hotel is in the "dreaded" Termini area (way less problematical than most suggest), I would just add that you should not feel uncomfortable in any way. Be informed and aware when you go out at night, but don't stay in after dark. And in the daytime there is literally no place you can wander that will put you in danger if you are an intelligent and aware woman (and what other kind could you be if you are posting here!?!)

Thanks heaps for the advices. I'm much more confident to visit the eternal city.

I've looked up the map, Bologna square is North East of Termini ( 4 metro stops away), on the intersections of Via 21 Aprile and Via delle Province. It's a residential area i think. there's a bus stop and a metro station nearby. I'll probably use the buses.

Oh, well, then you will be just fine-you are up near the university with all the inexpensive restaurants and lively atmosphere that implies. Have a wonderful trip!

I have to disagree with LJ. If at all possible, I highly recommend that you change your hotel to something closer to the center of Rome, preferably near Piazza Navona, the Pantheon or Campo de' Fiori. Bologna Sqaure is a LONG way from everything you will want to see, especially on a first visit. It's not even on my Streetwise Rome Map. You will spend way too much time getting anywhere.

I agree with Susan regarding your location.

I don't know where you live (US?) or if you have ever traveled to the US, but I feel safer in Rome (anywhere in Europe/UK) than in the US (I am born, raised, have always & still live in US). Maybe it happens, (if so, I bet only rarely) but I don't think Italy has a lot of gun violence, murders, carjacking, kidnapping women & children & killing and/or raping them, robbing at gun point, mass shootings, etc.

Sorry, love my country, but sadly it is a violent country.

Julie

Agree with Susan and Julie about the location. I dislike the area around Termini and there are far more charmimg and interesting areas to stay.

Four Metro stops away from Termini is not near Termini. But it's a long way out. I agree with those who suggest the general area of the Pantheon, Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona. Or simply put, the roughly triangular area between the Via del Corso and the curve in the Tiber.

I was alone in Rome for a week in May. No problems whatsover, never felt unsafe. Did not like the area around Termini, especially the hustling cabdrivers and the gypsie that use their babies and children as distractions.

I would re-think the area in which you stay, in my opinion Campo di Fioro or Piazza Navonna are much better choices.

Have spent several days in alone in Rome pre or post business trips.

Have never been hesitant to go anywhere - or felt unsafe day or evening (after dinner - til 10 or so - didn;t go out much later than that).

But - I have never taken the subway or bus - I either walk (usually, since I'm a New Yorker I'm used to a lot of walking) or cab. And, I always stay in a large full-service hotel (same as for business part of the trip) not a pension or similar.

yea the place is at the edge of the city, probably not a very strategic location. Is there any budget hotels in the triangular area?

I grew up in Kuala Lumpur ( not a very safe city in Malaysia) and have been studying for a few years in Melbourne, Australia ( a very safe place). I find that most European cities are pretty safe. But I have not been to Italy so I'm not too sure how it's like over there.

Thanks a lot for all the helpful suggestions. Can't wait to go. =)

Go to venere.com and pull up the map of Rome. It will show you all available accomocdations in your price range along with ratings and user reviews.

Yes - I have done it myself & never felt unsafe.

I traveled solo to Italy last year and thoroughly enjoyed myself everywhere I went. I spent five days in Rome and never felt unsafe.

I spent a few months in Rome when I was in my early twenties, and felt much safer there than in Madrid or Paris. The clue was to look purposeful and not brandish a map or camera - in those days they were big, not a problem these days when you can hide them in your bag. Returned last year with my husband and the only problem was convincing him to guard his belongings on the Metro, trams and buses. He did have an empty wallet removed from a backpack!
I do agree that Piazza Bologna is too far out.

Wai2, I've travelled solo in Rome several times and have almost always felt extremely safe, even late at the night.

The one exception was my very first trip (I landed on Sept. 11, 2001!) when I stayed at a hotel that was on the fringes of the historic centre, near the Termini area. I didn't walk around there much at night and didn't feel especially comfortable there.

But since then, I've always stayed in the Campo dei fiori area, close to the Piazza Navona, and to my mind it really is worth paying a bit more for a hotel, in order to have the freedom to walk around, even late at night and feel completely comfortable. In these central areas, there are always so many other people out and about, and so much activity that you really can feel safe! In June, I walked back from Rome's opera house (near Termini) down to my hotel at 1 a.m. and felt completely safe -- the streets were still bustling as I got closer to the centre.

As for hotel prices, I've noticed that in August rates seem to drop dramatically, and special rates are sometimes offered. August is the period when a lot of Italians take their holidays away from the cities, and the heat can be oppresive, so hotels sometimes offer excellent deals to keep their rooms filled. If I were you, I'd check out hotels in the historic centre that at first glance, might look expensive but might offer great deals at the end of August. I just noticed that the hotel I stayed at in June is offering single rooms this month for half the price I paid only eight weeks ago!!!!

Have a wonderful trip, be aware of your surroundings when you're walking around (as you would anywhere!)and enjoy Rome!

Not specific to Rome (as I have not been there) but traveling solo especially, I always choose a very centrally located hotel. I like to be able to walk everywhere and not have to rely on public transportation each time I want to go see or do something.

I (older, female, solo traveler) don't understand this aversion to public transport. To my mind the ready availability of buses and sometimes metro is one of the great benefits of traveling in Europe. True, in Rome you need to be alert to pickpockets, but if you wear a money belt (or use your hotel safe) and stay reasonably alert you'll be fine. I certainly wouldn't walk everywhere, and if you take taxis in Rome you have to worry about the driver trying to rip you off.

Oh, I don't mind using public transportation to go sight-seeing. I meant only in regard to the discussion above about staying in a hotel far from a city's center. I would not want to HAVE to use it every single time I stepped outside my hotel, was my point/opinion.

suze - oh, I totally agree with that. I'm doing without an en-suite toilet in order to afford a stay on the Graben in Vienna on my next trip. In Rome I stayed at the Aberdeen, which was handy for the train station, but not so handy for sightseeing, and would likely do something different next time.

I'm off to Rome shortly and am looking for a good, no frills place to stay - even without an ensuite (but with hot water) if necessary. Can anyone recommend somewhere that is not too expensive?

thanks Sac for the suggestions. Yeap i agree that location of the hotel is very important. Now I'm checking out those hotels near Piazza Navona, reading up the reviews. hopefully i can get a good deal.

I use public transport quite frequently while traveling but I'm much better in reading metro maps rather bus maps.

Blader, maybe can try looking up tripadvisor.com? I think they can automatically compare the prices of different booking sites(venere, booking.com etc). by the way i just checked the weather forecast in Rome, it's scorching!

Wai2...not meaning to push but if you are leaving next week, its VERY late to be hoping for a "good deal" on the two sites you mention. You might try laterooms.com...good luck!

Thank you Wai2, I am looking through my options. It gets a bit confusing when you haven't been there before. I have found a place in the via delgi Scipioni but I am worried it might be a hostel rather than a B&B (which is what I was told it was by my agent).

I'm hoping Rome will be warm - I'm freezing in the UK right now.

blader, I know you didn't ask, but Via Scipioni is not a very good location, either. It's on the opposite side of the city from Wai2's, but still too far from the center and everything you want to see (it's close to the Vatican, but not anything else).