I will be arriving at Termini after 9pm at end of August and only overnighting as I am coming back to Rome at the end of the trip. Will train out next morning so want to be handy to station but am a bit nervous about this arrival.. Any security hints? Any safe hotel suggestions?

t

this thread and some others included in it might give you some ideas
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35095974

Normally I would say not to stay near the station but since you are only going to be there overnight and will be heading back to Rome later it probably makes sense.

I'm no expert on Rome, but I would find a hotel near the train station and use a taxi to get there. Because with your schedule it doesn't sound like you'll be out and about in the neighborhood much.

... to be overly worried about the safetly of the area around the train station (is the rest of my thought!)

I would take a taxi to a nearby hotel, there have been many mentioned in a recent thread (hotels near termini).

Hi , I wonder what is your buget ? Near the station is very unpleasant but in Via Firenze there are several options one is the Hotel OCeania and another the one in the same building Via Firenze 38, called Nardizzi, that particular area is very safe because the Ministy of the Interior is across the street and not only it is well lighted by there are policemen around.Both are inexpensive places.
Take a taxi to the hotel and then you can try to use your time in some positive way...although it is very late. May be you will have some time in the morning to walk a little and go walking to the 4 Fontane and Quirinale area which is not far.
To be honest I have not stayed in that area lately, ages ago I used to stay at the TExas and at the OCeania both pensiones but I think the area will do for you unless you wish a hotel with more stars.
BTW near the quattro Fontane there are two tiny churches San Carlino and San;Andrea, which offfer a comparison study of two brilliant architects Borromini and Bernini that should keep you busy if you have more time of course the Fontana de Trevi is a better option...

Hi greynomad,

I wouldn't be too concerned about safety, but one thing to be very aware of are the gypsy cab drivers. DO NOT let anyone take your arm and guide you to their taxi! These guys are very smooth, nicely dressed, speak excellent English, but they are really just taxi pimps. They will try to guide you right past the taxi stand and into one of their gypsy cabs.

Go to the taxi stand and wait in line, if there is one, for the next cab. Before you get in, and before you let them touch your luggage, show them the written address for your hotel, ask the complete price, including luggage. Also have them show you that their meter is working and not "broken".

When reserving, you should also ask your hotel the approximate price for a one way taxi, with luggage, and time of evening (nights and weekends are higher). You can then confirm that your taxi driver is giving you the correct estimate before you get in the taxi.

Simple to do if you are aware!

Buon viaggio

A friend of ours and his young daughter stayed at Hotel des Artistes in the area of Termini and liked it very much. I think you can google it and find their website. It is a little funky, (some rooms share the bathroom) but they found it congenial and pleasant. And inespensive for Rome.

Another good place close to the Stazione Termini (dont walk at 9-10 p.m. tho, take a taxi) is the Beehive run by an American couple, Steve & Linda.

I can tell you for sure that you have to be careful. There are parts of the area near the station that have drug adicts, prostitutes, etc. I would look at the hotels on Via Firenze. It's a short taxi ride. We've walked it, but I would suggest a taxi (at the taxi stand. Not one coming up to you and offering a ride) at that time of the night.

Helpful posts everyone, Thank you, sounds like Via Firenze area is worth the taxi ride away from the train station a bit. (i'm not the OP but interested in the answers!)

Two years ago we stayed at Hotel Kennedy this month. It was block or two from the Train Station. We are the kind of people that use a hotel for beds. The beds were just fine. Nine o'clock at night the area is a little iffy but still a doable walk I believe. I am a male in my late 50's and did several walks in area at night by myself. It was not a problem for me. Kennedy has a fair spread for breakfast but noting hot to eat. Good coffee and plenty of it. The hotel is nothing to write home about but as i said the beds were ok for the both of us.

I would walk from the station to the hotel but just be aware of who was where. The taxi stand is right out in front it usually had no lines or a very short one. So getting a taxi would not be a problem just make sure you've got a taxi that is a taxi and not someone trying to say he is a cab and isn't one. All Real cabs are marked somehow as a taxi. so no unmarked cabs for anyone.

Have a good time

RG

Hi, I did suggested de Via Firenze area because I thought it was quiet near to the Station and out of the seedy area.

I agreeof course with Dayle regarding the so called
gypsy taxis. This is a valid concern in most cities.
My advice is do not walk at that time in the area near the train station.

I also stayed at the Hotel des Artistes about five years ago. It was clean and our room was nice. Our room had a bathroom. We really loved the roof top sitting area.

Thanks everyone...lots to look into. What a great group of people contribute to this site!

May I reiterate the point about making sure to *only* get into the OFFICIAL taxi line. Then you will be fine. Gypsy taxi drivers are much more aggressive in Europe, not in an obviously scary way but in a smooth con-artist way. My husband and I nearly went w/one from CDG one time, but luckily the internal bells went off, and we realized our error before actually going thru with it....

greynomad,

Another hotel suggestion for you. I stayed at Hotel Giardino Rome** on XXIV di Maggio. It was a short taxi ride from Termini, cost about 6E in '05.

It's in a great location, walk to Trevi Fountainin 5 minutes, Forum in 10. It's between Trajan's Market and the Quirinale. Cozy and clean, nice baths and rooms. typical breakfast. They have single rooms too, mine was 95E/nt in Sept 05.

Katie and her staff are super friendly and helpful and answer e mails quickly. Definitely recommend.

yes, be careful of the men who come up and grab your suitcase and say they have a cab for you, refuse them and they may make a show of shock but ignore them. Make sure you get into the correct taxi line which is outside of the main entrance and to the left. It is an actual marked waiting area and the drivers are not aggressively seeking out customers. They wait in line for the next customer, and like stated above make sure of the cost before you get in and remember at night there is additional fees added and also for luggage. Show them the hotel card with the address.