Safety in Rome
 

Hello,
Can anyone comment on tourist safety in Rome? My daughter (17yo) and I are planning to participate in a small group trip to Rome next spring but will probably be there 2 days on our own and a couple free evenings. I have read prior posts from this forum on the subject, but the most recent dedicated to this topic was 4 years ago. Much can change in 4 years, and I wanted to see what people thought of the current situation in Rome. Prior reports basically said be vigilant with respect to pickpockets but walking in the evening would be busy and may include families, and people felt safe. We would be staying in the area east of the Villa Borghese (10-15 minute walk?). I would appreciate any thoughts or comments.
Thanks.

Rome is generally safe. Some of the area near Termini is can be "sketchy" but not necessarily unsafe, more a bit rundown for lack of a better word. Practice vigilance like you would at home, be aware of your surroundings, limit valuables, don't accept gifts or food/drink from strangers, etc.

Wear a money belt under your pants and keep your passport, extra credit card and larger bills in there. Purses should be cross body and kept close. No cell phones in back pocket.

The only experience I have with what I call a "missing" wallet in Rome was with my sister. We had taken a food tour our last night and she recalled taking it out to buy gelato at a store but it was gone by the time we got back to the hotel. We did take a bus back but we don't know if maybe she left it behind at the store, if she got pickpocketed or what.

My advice is to always use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Immediately secure on you, your money, credit card, phone whatever after using it to pay for anything. You never know who is watching you as my friend found out when visiting Milan.

Rome is perfectly safe just use the usual big city awareness smarts. I leave my passport and extra money, credit card etc locked up in the safe in my room.
I use a normal handbag carried cross body if I'm in crowds. Be careful with your cell phone, don't leave it sitting on the table if you are dining outside, also don't hang your handbag over your chair, I put mine in my lap. Don't let people approach you wanting to sell you something or show you something.
Enjoy yourselves. I travel by myself all the time, you will be fine.

Some of this will depend on your luck. If you cross the path of the wrong person all bets are off. But during the daytime I wouldn't really worry about anything worse than pick pockets or YOU forgetting something.

The later it gets the higher the risk. I wouldn't personally call it dangerous but you never know.

I also think it doesn't hurt to ask at the hotel if there are any areas nearby where you shouldn't walk, particularly at night. I have gotten good advice that way.

CAH85, Agree w/all of the advice you've been given. I have felt safe in all of the Italian cities I've visited and Rome is no exception. I take the precautions that others have described as I would in any big city. In addition, I take a photo of my passport on my phone and leave all but one credit card in my hotel safe. I don't wear much jewelry when traveling generally and I try to remain aware of my surroundings. If a particular street when I'm walking late at night feels "too quiet" (and I do walk a lot at night, and am a woman who frequently travels solo) I simply get myself to a busier street as soon as I can. One reason why I tend feel safe walking at night in Italian cities is that so many people are outdoors--eating, sitting at cafes, walking, sitting and talking in clusters on piazzas and on church steps, and wine bars tend to overflow onto the street. One thing that is important to me is to say at lodgings that have a staffed front desk 24/7 (and agree that it's a good idea to ask the front desk staff if there is anywhere you should avoid at night).

I went with a friend and we felt comfortable walking in the little neighborhood around our hotel - for restaurants, gelato, etc.

But one of the things I really enjoyed was a Rome night tour. It was fabulous.
I looked on Viator and don't see the equivalent (using a bus) but see this "golf cart" tour and private drivers.

Here's one link -
https://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Ro.../d511-350632P1
The reviews are 93 5stars out of 96 reviews. Scanning the reviews, some called it the highlight of the trip.

For us, it was a great way for two women to get out and about at night - without worrying about transportation - and see the beautiful fountains and landmarks lit up at night. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, especially with a teen daughter.

I'm not sure that's something you would be interested in but I highly recommend based on our experience.

My mom and I did one in NYC at Christmas (Greyline) about 30 years ago and that was one of her favorite travel memories. ((f))

Rome is not as safe as it was at the turn of the century. But if you avoid wandering around deserted areas at 4 AM, it's still safer than any similar american ot british city. As an example, Berlin is safer than Rome but Paris is the worst.

Thanks to everyone! I really appreciate the information. I was glad to see nothing particularly concerning -- mostly what I think would be considered prudent travel advice wherever one is traveling to. I will be glad to come back here for a list of reminders before we go!

Does that mean you would not walk from the Termini to our hotel (about 10 minute walk)? This is the sort of thing I think my daughter should experience -- taking the train from the airport and then walking to the hotel (midday). That's how I had to travel when I was young (though we could easily skip all that and just take a cab). I would be okay with sketchy during the day but not unsafe. Any thoughts? Thank you.

When arriving with luggage, I would take a cab. That way you can get an overview of the route to and area around your hotel. Walking with luggage indicates you more proabably a tourist and may not be familiar with your surroundings. Most of all, it depends on where your hotel is located.

It may depend on where the hotel is located. I would not find the neighborhood around Termini to be much different than most US city in terms of general safety.

One thing you might consider is looking at the location on Google street view to see what it is like around it. You can even "walk" the route from the station to the hotel as well.

My experience was to be in the Forum when a sudden group of tourists walked by and suddenly there was a traffic jam of tourists. I felt a hand sneaking around and put my foot down on an ankle "so sorry" (the British ultimate defence)...

My niece was taught by her school to be more viscious on trams (knee up, not foot down) but that was a few years ago now

I have spent a lot of time in Rome and have never felt unsafe, but I do remember reading some time ago that you don't want to go south of the train station by yourself at night. However, I wouldn't want to go by what you did years ago (having to walk to the hotel from the train just because you did that years ago, doing something the same way you did isn't necessarily the best way).
Things have changed. I would take a taxi from the train station just because it's easier!

Yes, I know it will be easier, and the more I think about, who am I kidding? I will be tired from traveling and wanting to save my energy for rambling around and getting dinner. Maybe it was not clear, but what I was thinking is to show my daughter this is how you travel when you are on a budget. You don't need a driver from the airport, you can take the train, walk 10 minutes with your bags, and it's fine. We are north of the station, but good to know where not to go. Thanks!