Rome - WIFI
 

I was wondering if there are many WIFI wireless locations. Would they be free like in the USA? We are not staying in a hotel, but in an apartment. The apartment is in Trastevere and it does not have wireless

They are not likely to be free unless you get lucky and can poach.

Do you really need to bring a laptop? It can be a drag to haul it around to internet locations. Since they are likely to charge you for the password to access the wifi, why not just pay the same amount and use one of their computers?

It can be fun to be in Italy and not use a computer at all.

In my experience there are not free WIFI locations in Rome. You will likely pick up a lot of wireless signals near your apartment from neighbors and may find one you can poach.

But, I'm finding that these days personal WIFI owners everywhere around the world are getting much more savvy about security and therefore password protect their networks, thus preventing casual freeloaders.

As for whether to travel with a laptop or not the consensus here on Fodors is usually split 50-50.

On the one hand there are those that tout the myriad benefits (or absolute need) of having a laptop when traveling such as skype, trip reports, picture uploads, searching for restaurants and travel info, watching DVDs, etc.

On the other hand there are those that ridicule laptop users as asking for theft issues, questioning why anyone in their right mind would want to lug the weight, and tell people just to use internet cafe if they want to connect.

There is no right answer - just be aware of the pro's and con's and make your own decision.

Actually, the split is more like 50-49-1.

The "1" is those of us who carry a computer in a coat or pants pocket, thereby finessing all the downside to lugging a laptop. Many SmartPhones can be used for internet access and webmail in a WiFi hotspot for free. Sometimes using one for reservations or the like is awkward, because many web sites don't have a scaled-down version for PDA users - such as Transport for London:

http://tflwap.gov.uk

I can't speak to Greece, but as for Italy, I've found it more difficult there than in most European countries to find wifi at all, never mind free. I always have a laptop with me because I can't ever leave my business and am always working at least a few hours a day. In recent years, though, I've just used my Blackberry for internet access everywhere in the world. When I need to send document attachments, though, I prefer the laptop and have to seek out an internet or hotel where I can do that. In Italy, that's not so easy, and I suspect the same in Greece. You can google Wifi Hotspots Italy to get more specific info.

Free wifi in the cafe in the museum of the Bramante cloister (free entrance to cafe)--as well as other internet cafes. You don't have to pay for your connection but you are expected to buy an espresso or more. I used my iTouch to check emails, etc., while having a coffeee and cornetto in the morning. There were a number of places to I could get a connection in my area--but never in our apartment except on the terrace (in the cold!). I would think there would be a number of spots in Trastevere.

Anybody have some favorite internet cafes in Trastevere?

When I was having a coffee at Ombre Rosse, a bar/cafe on Piazza Sant'Egidio in Trastevere, there was someone at the next table using a laptop.

My husband and I travel extremely light, so we don't even consider bringing laptops with us. But we do like to access the internet on a daily basis. Last year we were in Rome for almost a week and we had no problem finding "Cyber Cafes" or "Internet Points" (as they are usually called in Italy) in Rome.

You do need to have your passport with you. And it's not free. But we just chalk it up to entertainment/research!

Google "Internet Point Rome" and you'll get some help...

http://www.aboutroma.com/internet-points-in-rome.html