Is it better to stay in the area of the Vatican in Rome or in the Termine station area? What is more convenient?

Arguably the neighborhood by the Termine is more convenient, but not as nice or as safe.

Both are clearly inferior to the Centro Storico, in my opinion.<BR><BR>I strongly recommend looking at the map on www.venere.com/roma<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Rex <BR>Thanks for the opinion but I am on a tight budget visit a Catholic nation over the easter holiday. I have found affordable hotels in these two locales.<BR>So between these two locations which is more convenient?

xxxx<BR>I was on a coach tour of Italy last May/June. Our Rome hotel "Atlantico" is about 200 metres from the Termini...I found it very convienent as it was only about a kilometre or so from the Coloseum & the Forum. My son & daughter-in-law stayed in the same area on their Italy trip last October. Their B&B was closer to the Coloseum, than my hotel.<BR>Before I travelled to Rome, I was unaware that the 'Termini' area was 'unsavoury'.<BR>When I next visit Rome as an independent traveler, I'll be looking for accommodations near the Coloseum & Forum, not the Vatican.<BR>Rome is a very easy city to walk. IMHO

thanks for all the information!<BR>When I look at a map the Vatican does not look too far - is this misleading?<BR>Is the termine area UNSAFE?

Termini is considered an undesirable location in Rome. There are a lot of gypsies, you need to be on constant alert, even when waiting to cross the street. Also a lot of "undesirable" and "menacing" types. It's an ugly area, but not necessarily unsafe in that you would fear for your life or cannot walk around during the day. Staying in a nicer, prettier part of Rome just adds to the experience. Having said that, many budget and backpacking travellers stay near the station and have a fine time.

xxx,<BR><BR>As a solo female traveller in Rome in May 2001, walking around the streets near the Termini station, did not worry me. As I said previously, I was unaware that this was supposed to be an "unsavoury" area.... Mind you, I wasn't out walking the local area later than about 8pm (summer time)

You can get just a few streets from Termini and find good hotels which will give you good location but be somewhat removed from the hustle of the station. We used the Hotel Rex on Via Torino, which is close to station but far enough away to be out of the riff raff. The immediate area around the station is so-so, and there are many shall we say questionable people hanging around the station and the immediate area. Hotel Rex is very nice 4*, and provides good access to all of Rome. Caution is advised in and around Termini due to pickpockets, etc, but like the above said you will not be in grace physical danger, but be aware. You will also be approached by hotel "bookers" and gypsy taxi drivers to use their cabs .. do not use either. Only use licensed taxis and arrange your hotel before you arrive if possible.

In above post, the term " grace physical danger" should have read " grave physical danger"...so sorry about the typo.

Try to avoid the area southwest of termini. I think that's the only iffy area. But if you have specific hotels that you were interested in, please post them or use the search tool on this forum to see if there are any reviews. <BR><BR>It really depends on where you intend to spend most of your time. Both are opposite extremes and can put you just as far away from where you might spend most of your time. I found Rome very walkable and walked basically everywhere, but if you're not a walker and can't afford being in a central location, look for a place near a bus or metro stop.<BR><BR>Not sure how tight your budget is but I stayed and Pensione Panda by the Spanish Steps (www.hotelpandaparadise.com) for about $40/night. Also, just my opinion, but if you find a reputable place that's well recommended, don't bother with paying extra for a private bathroom.<BR><BR>For what it's worth, I loved St. Peter's and spent a couple of days wandering around that side of the Tiber. I was hardly in the termini area at all.

Tried posting this before:<BR><BR>Here's another one. I was supposed to stay here in September but plans changed after 9/11. It was recommended in my Let's Go guide and, from what I recall, it's a decent location:<BR><BR>http://www.globalactivity.com/hotel-san-paolo/main.htm

ttt<BR>

xxx, what's the name of your hotel in the Vatican area, or where, exactly, is it located? <BR><BR>We stayed in the Prati district for seven nights a year ago, on the same side of the Tiber as the Vatican, and really enjoyed it. We both thought it had a bit of a Parisian feel to it. <BR><BR>The Via Cola di Rienzo, the street we stayed on, had beautifully blooming trees in late March; there's a popular upscale food shop (called Francia, as I recall) on it, and there's also a fairly large covered food market on it called the Mercato dell'Unit&agrave;.

think it is the olympic

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