Gisele1nonly

Good morning Fellow Fodorites:

Please let me know what you think about the transportation arrangements I have reserved for the upcoming trip we have to Italy, and the charges quoted to us by one of the airport shuttle companies in Rome.

These are back-to-back transfers from the following locations:

FCO to HOTEL - 31euro [Shared transfer]
HOTEL to CIVI - 90 euro [Shared transfer]
CIVI-OSTIA-FCO - 300euro [Private Car]
TOTAL COST FOR BOTH: 421euros

I find the pricing quite reasonable but I still need your opinion about this subject. Do you think the price quoted reasonable?

FYI: Travelling by car is the only option we have since my husband has limited mobility and unable to walk very far.

Thank you in advance



Do you think this is a cost-effective move.

hollywoodsc

Why the Civi-Osita-FCO portion?

Gisele1nonly

Because our flights back to the U.S. is not until 5:30 p.m., and we do not want to hang-out at the airport that long. Ostia is the closest that I can think of to do a little bit of sightseeing prior departing.

Rostra

<<<FCO to HOTEL - 31euro [Shared transfer]>>>

I'm *assuming* that this "shared transfer" *might* be one of those ~15 passenger buses vs a shared private car and driver? (Also on the Hotel-Civi leg?)

If so, you might have a short wait for pick-up and if you reserve a timeslot it's possible to miss it due to a flight, Customs, etc delay and then a wait for the next shuttle and hope it's not full?

Plus it will likely do other drop-offs before getting to your hotel and/or other pick-ups at the airport.

For 9e more you can get a private car and driver waiting outside Security holding a sign with your name on it.

http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/...t-transfer.php

<<<HOTEL to CIVI - 90 euro [Shared transfer]>>>

From the same company for 20e more a private car and driver. So a more comfortable trip, no other hotel pick-ups and if you need a bathroom stop it's not a problem for the private driver.

<<<...since my husband has limited mobility and unable to walk very far.>>>

I'm assuming Ostia is the Ostia Antica ruins?

If so, it's ~650yds from the parking lot entrance to what I'll call the 1st 'cool' site the Theater, you will be walking among the ruins to get there so it's worth it.
And that R/T walk is ~3/4mi.

SanCrz

We haven't used shared transportation in this area, but we used it in London. Delays were really bad and we missed a train. If you don't have a deadline, they're fine.
Ostia has lots to see...make sure you allow enough time there and for the car to get to FCO in time...traffic to FCO can be heavy.

hollywoodsc

"my husband has limited mobility and unable to walk very far."

Ostia Antica is set over quite a large area. It is acres of ruins not a museum and the ground is very uneven with old stone 'roads'

Not sure if that is doable for someone with limited mobility.

Gisele1nonly

Our flight arrives at FCO approx. 5:30 p.m., and from there we are heading straight to the Hotel so we are not worried about different stops along the way. I have inquired about private transfer but it is way over what I am willing to spend (140 euros v. 31 euros).

As far as CIV-OSTIA-FCO trip = Now that you mentioned about the intensity of this walk I think this idea is not suitable for my hubby. I may have to think of other alternatives (sighseeing) that he would enjoy by just looking out from the comfort of our car.

Thank you all for your guidance!

Rostra

<<<Our flight arrives at FCO approx. 5:30 p.m., and from there we are heading straight to the Hotel so we are not worried about different stops along the way.>>>

I'd be more concerned on the possible waiting around the airport for the shuttle or missing my reservation due to delays.
Esp *if* you are coming off of an international flight?

<<<I have inquired about private transfer but it is way over what I am willing to spend (140 euros v. 31 euros).>>>

I've used that private car & driver service that I posted above twice as have *many* others here, they are the cheapest @ 40e.

And there are *many* other private car and driver companies that do this for plus-or-minus 50e.

Any company charging 140e for that trip are out-right bandits @ ~3X the true cost.

A taxi I believe is officially regulated at 47e for an FCO-Rome hotel journey.

Gisele1nonly

Thanks Rostra. I emailed Rome Shuttle Limousine and asking for their availabilities/quotes.

MmePerdu

Gisele, you might look into driving along the Appian Way, or Via Appia, south of the city, the road built for the Roman armies. I've only walked along it but I know much of it is open to cars except on Sundays. Roman road, ancient tombs, countryside, locally between near Ciampino Airport and the city wall.

http://www.parks.it/parco.appia.antica/Eindex.php
http://www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/appian_way.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appian_Way

kybourbon

>>>Our flight arrives at FCO approx. 5:30 p.m., and from there we are heading straight to the Hotel so we are not worried about different stops along the way. I have inquired about private transfer but it is way over what I am willing to spend (140 euros v. 31 euros).<<<

I'm not a fan of shared transport as they trek around to hotels all over the city dropping people off.

Rome Shuttle Limousine (private transfer) is only 40€. Anyone pricing 140€ from FCO to a hotel in Rome is ripping you off. Taxis from FCO to Rome hotels are set fees (48€ for 4 people including luggage).

There are shuttle buses from FCO to Rome Termini for 5€ (Sitbusshuttle and Terravision). You would still have to get from the train station to your hotel.

Train from Rome to Civitavecchia is 5€-9€ depending on train.

Sometimes in season, there is a bus from the airport to Civitavecchia. Don't know if that will exist this summer or when you are traveling.

Gisele1nonly

UPDATE: I've contacted romeshuttlelimousine [Thanks, Rostra!] and the company will send someone at the airport to pick us up for 40 Euro.

Thank you all for the guidance and most importantly for saving me in getting ripped off.

Cheers!