Suelynne

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.

sac

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!

suze

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.

thursdaysd

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.

suze

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.

thursdaysd

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.

blader

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?

Wai2

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!

LJ

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!

blader

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.

SusanP

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).