r/RomeTravel

I’ve been traveling around Europe and just came from Madrid, where everything was great. People were friendly, prices matched what I was told, and nothing felt sketchy.

I landed in Rome today and within a few hours:
- Had a €9 Freenow ride turn into €22 because the driver went the “wrong way”, Freenow refunded the difference when I contacted them.
- Someone tried reaching into my back pocket near the Colosseum, I expected this so didn’t have anything in my pockets…But didn’t expect it to happen within hours of landing.
- Had someone spit on my leg in the street for seemingly no reason
- We were waiting in line at an art print store and a lady pushed herself in between us and the other person so she could skip the line
- We went to a connivence store and realized when we got back he charged us £20 for 3 bags of £5 snacks

On the plus side…we had a good experience at the restaurant we went to, but these other experiences overshadow the positives.

It feels like everyone is trying to scam here. Is it seriously this bad in Rome?? Or am I just having unusually bad luck on day one? I’ve not had these experiences in other parts of Europe. I’d really like to find a way to enjoy my time here and not feel constantly on guard.

Visiting Rome 2nd week in August this year for the first time with my wife and 11yo daughter. We are planning a full day at the Vatican and our “plan” is to Visit both the Museums (including Sistine chapel) and St Peter’s with the dome climb.

I’m unsure which way round to do this (I am fully expecting it to be mega busy anyway) - Morning in the Museums (allow 3 hours so maybe 9-12 )and PM (2-5) at St Peter’s & the Dome or would anyone suggest the other way round?

Thanks

Flew in from LAX and landed around 12:00pm. After de-boarding, getting on the bus to the terminal, and then followed the green line/signs to immigration. There was a massive queue and a bit of chaos but the workers directed us away from the queue and over to the left. People with EU passports were able to hop out and go right to a machine. Americans and others waited in line, used machines to scan passports, got your photo taken, and then went to the immigration person to get your stamp. My fingerprints/hand were never scanned and I wasn’t asked the usual questions (purpose of your visit, how long are you staying, etc.).

Whole thing from end of the queue to getting my passport stamp was 11 minutes.

Taxi line was insane so we walked to the Uber pickup location (3 minutes walk) and picked up an Uber for €55 into the city.

Just sharing in case it helps anyone with their expectations/planning.

I’ll be going to Rome for 3 days before I head to Sicily. Solo traveling and a little nervous about Rome. Any tips? I know to keep my cross body bag in front and be aware of surroundings. I don’t want to walk alone at night or at major historical attractions so I’ll be taking taxis everywhere. I do have quite a few tours with tour companies. Am I able to ask the tour guide if they can wait for me for a taxi when I finish the tour or do you think they’ll say no? I just don’t want to be stranded anywhere after a tour especially at night. That way anyone trying to gang up on me. When I go to restaurants I’d just wait at the restaurant until taxi comes.

Ciao,

Im going to Rome soon with some friends, I’ve been before but it’s my first time as an adult going so I was hoping to get some feedback here. After booking a hotel stay in Rome in June, they emailed me saying I will have to pay £6 per night per person in cash to them at the front desk of the hotel at check in. Obviously I know customs are different in different countries but if I was asked to pay in cash at check in for a tax I normally would be concerned. Is this normal, am I just overreacting? Or is this a little strange?

Grazie Mille per l’auito

I read it before hand, but didn't knew it was that difficult.
I am coming to rome from 8 until 12 june ( 12 june i am leaving to naples) and of course i want to visit the Colloseum.

and i know the tickets on their site are been sold 1 month in front.... so yesterday i tried to get tickets for 8 june... but it's so fast sold out.. i refreshed the page so many times that their firewall even thinks i am a bot, so i can't even get on their site through the home WiFi.
Todat the same... Sold out so fast.

Today the same old story.. it was sold out so fast.

tomorrow i have a last try to get the tickets through their site and otherwise i have to through tour operaters but there the price x3 / x4

So does anyone have any tips for tomorrow ???( i am also checking with audiotour even if i don't get the language)?

Hi everyone! My husband and I are traveling to Rome for the first time from May 22–26 and would love some advice. Arriving: 22nd evening and leaving 26th morning to Venice.

We already booked tickets for the Colosseum on the 24th, (including Roman Forum & Palatine Hill) and the Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel on the 23rd. We’re also planning to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and maybe Borghese Gallery (is it worth it?)

We’ll be staying near the Piazza Navona and will have about 3 full days.

We’re looking for recommendations on:
- Hidden gems or less touristy spots
- Great food (authentic but not overly fancy)
- Neighborhoods worth exploring
- Any “must-do” experiences we might be missing

We’re also interested in history and meaningful/biblical sites if there’s anything you’d especially recommend.

Hey everyone! Me and a friend are planning a trip to Rome in July and we're struggling to find a decent hostel that doesn't cost a fortune.
Honestly, I'm a bit shocked — most hostels I'm finding are MORE expensive than renting a full apartment on Airbnb. How is a shared room and a shared bathroom pricier than having your own place? Am I looking in the wrong places or is this just Rome in summer?

We're not looking for anything fancy, just a clean and safe place to sleep. Actually, we'd love something a bit outside the city center — we're thinking about grabbing bikes and cycling in, which sounds like a much better way to experience the city anyway.

Any recommendations from people who've actually been there recently? Local tips are even more welcome. Thanks in advance

My flight lands at 8pm, i anticipate arriving to Termini at 9pm and walking 15 minutes to my hotel. Is this okay or is there a risk of robbery

Hello!

TLDR: My tickets for underground got cancelled and I need to find a company that can 99% get them (late August)

I will be in Rome this year late August. I booked a tour for the Colosseum Underground, Floor & Roman Forum.

I have already been to the Colosseum but never the floor or underground.

I booked a tour a couple of weeks ago through Get Your Guide - City Eyes.

They just texted me this morning that they have to cancel or remove the underground part for a partial refund.

They said the Colosseum just changed the rules and restricted the amount of tickets available and they are having to remove all of their underground tours for the rest of the year.

I know cancelling has always been a common issue but not usually this far in advanced. It seems like they are making extra restrictions.

My question is: do you know a tour company that for sure gets the underground tickets?

Any recommendations? I know the official site releases them 30 days before IF it actually ever works, and you’re able to not blink and get it by some miracle in 2 seconds flat 😅 so I would prefer to get them through another source even though it will cost more. (I’ll still try the official site)

Hi,

I am visiting Rome with my family for a long weekend and unfortunately my eldest has now had an important university meeting scheduled for our last day which they needs to do on Zoom. Its our last day in Rome so we will not be able to use the room at the accommodation. I've asked for late checkout but they can't help.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a cafe or space they can use. The call will be a video call and may last 90 mins. We are happy to pay for a space so that we have something set up we can rely on.

Its a Monday morning and we are staying in the centre of Rome so want something not too far. We are flying that day so near the airport could work too.

Thanks!

Alright, so this is kind of a niche question. Hopefully someone can help.

I will be checking into Le Meridien Visconti on May 29, then my friend comes into Rome on May 30. We need to leave for a cruise the next day, May 31, which is the final stage of Giro d'Italia that goes through Rome. I can't really make sense of the maps, but it looks like the course might go over near Le Meridien. We are doing a shared shuttle van and I'm nervous about road closures. We also have a non-refundable room reserved for Saturday night at Hotel Diocleziano near Termini (long story), and we could switch over there if that would be easier (or if that hotel is way better?), but then it's obviously a hassle to stay at different hotels Friday and Saturday nights. Any insights? I don't know how much impact this race will or won't have on the city and the roads.

Everyone says not to buy tickets from 3rd party providers but I am having no luck with the official site. I am in USA and have tried their website and app. I've tried both directly entering my master card and Google wallet. Also at least 2 different browsers. Also no fraud alerts or anything from my CC.

I’m pretty sure that respecting elders is a universal custom. I was about to exit a cafe and was forced to literally step back as a young woman entered brushing past me as though I was invisible.

I lived in a tourist town and understand it

I will be travelling with Wife and Daughter. Will be our first time in Rome, and want your opinion on how safe is it to stay in that area.

I need honest opinion from locals or anyone who happen to stay there this last year

Edit: I know its been asked million times, just that times changes. I ve seen posts from 2-3 years old, just want an updated opinion.

We plan on staying on east of termini. Around Via Palestro/ Via Varese (Just 5-6 mins walking away from termini)

We (married couple mid 40s) will be in Rome for 3 nights end of this month and I’m having a hard time picking out a home base. We want to be in an area that is walkable everywhere, has some lively atmosphere at night, and surrounded by great authentic restaurants and not overly crowded (might be impossible). Maybe a bit of nightlife with a cool cocktail bar or speakeasy spots.

Maybe Monti? Heard great things about that area. Trastevere might be a bit far for daily walking to the sights. Maybe Piazza Navona area? Or anywhere else?

Any recommendations are appreciated!