what to do in Rome for four hours
 

We have a four hour stopover in Rome in mid July, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. is there anyway that we could possibly utilize that time to see just a bit of the ancient city? what would be the most efficient way to do so- by train from the airport, by taxi, by hiring a private driver? we are particularly interested in seeing the arch of titus and the Colosseum if possible. any other suggestions are welcome! thanks so much!

Well the Colosseum and adjoining ancient Roman Forum area would be one part of Rome you could see in a short time - but you are saying you have four hours between flights and have to get from airport to Colosseum and then back - cutting it tight, especially if there is a traffic snarl, etc. You may want to take the Leonardo Express train from the airport to Rome Termini station and then take a cab to Colosseum (actually only about a mile or so from Termini station) - but I'm sure many would say it is all in all cutting it too close. Right near the airport is the ancient Roman port of Ostia Atica - one of the best Roman archaeological sites IMO and a short cab ride away from the airport I believe.

Your only real option is a private driver. Your 4 hour layover (is that when you need to check-in to board or take-off?) leaves you about two hours of sightseeing. If you really want to do this, have your driver just take you to exactly to what you want to see and give them a time you need to be back at the terminal.

If you want to save the time of traveling to and back from central Rome, an alternate idea is to visit
Ostia Antica (about 5 minutes from the airport by car). This would give you more time for actually seeing something.

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...taly/ostia.htm

Will you need to go through customs or passport control if you leave the airport? Go through security coming back?

Which day of the week? How crowded is the airport?

Ostia is on the same side of the city as the airport and to me seems about the only option that makes sense in such a short time span. Traffic in Rome is always a mess and being stuck in traffic jams for an hour would ruin all your plans.

What do you mean by 4 hours? Have you allowed for time to get through immigration, pick up and store your luggage, getting into rome and getting back to the airport 2 hous before your next flight leaves? (This assumes you are coming in by plane. If you are talking about train - although how you would get 4 hours I don't know - unless it's the max you can get based on other plans - then you will really have almost 4 hours.)