Taxi - train
 

I'm meeting up with a Smithsonian tour in Rome (10 days, lots of art and architecture). I'm a 43-year-old single blonde in decent shape traveling alone (no Christy Brinkley, mind you but a woman alone I'm told can be a "mark") and am looking for your best advice on how to travel safely and without hassles/ripoffs from FCO to city center (near Ste. Maria Maggiore). Many thanks in advance. Also - any tips on a group tour? It's my first and I hope it won't be filled with geezers.

Are you worried about getting ripped off or about men's attention? I don't quite see the connection between your blondeness and getting ripped off. By your age, you should know how to deal with mean if you don't want their attention, and in Italy, men are big nuisances, at least the kind that prey on tourists.

As for tours, it depends on the kind and name. Smithsonian tours are definitely not the average and it well may be full of geezers, you should have checked that out ahead of time.

As long as you get in a real taxi queue (as opposed to the unregulated cabs) and get an approximate cost before you get in, you shouldn't have a problem.

I take it that geezers is a pejorative term, and as such it would be best left of posts here, just like other nasty words.

Thanks, Sandi. Very helpful advice without the snide jibes of Christina!

Calling Christina's comments snide is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black.

Underhill:
I thought this was a travel forum but it seems to be more of a forum for politically correct nitpickers.
Adios amigo.

Would you like to be called a dumb blonde? Same difference as referring to others as geezers.

Take a regulated taxi from the offical taxi cue. That is the best advice for any airport in Europe unless you plan to use public transportation.

As a female who has traveled often solo, there's no reason you will be a "mark" if you use common sense and take standard precautions.

A taxi will cost more, but will be easier. The train with taxi to your hotel will be around $18. A taxi from FCO will be around $30.

Do not let worries ruin your fun.

While I am not a female, I can give a little advice on not being a target.

Walk and act confindently, fully aware of where you are, alert, and don't let people distract you. If you get lost, don't act nervous.

If you carry a purse, make sure it has buckle flaps as well as a zipper. Carry the purse with the flap toward your body, zipped, and buckled at all times. Do not lay your purse down at all. In California, a friend of mine had hers stolen from under the table through evryones feet.

Carry only enough cash for the day, plus some, and one card. Keep a small amount of cash at close hand for small purchases. That way you do not have to show everbody you purses contens.

BTW You'll get more helpful replies here if you don't call people names right off the batt.