Rome - on a budget!

[~max~]

Hi! I am off to Rome on sunday until Tuesday when I go to Naples. I have already been there, but always in a group, and we were teenagers! I'm going by myself, and I would like a "relaxing but fun" couple of days. So, any advice on what I shouldn't miss? Be it sites, a particularly good and cheap restaurant, nice pubs, a lovely market? I'm not fussy about seeing all the sites, and I don't have much money. So any tips on cheap travel passes would be welcome too!
I will be staying near Termini station, if that helps. Many thanks!

[ChuckFickens]

Hi ~max~ hope your well.

Sorry no decent answers for you but will be paying attention to this thread because I would love to visit Rome.

Hope ya have a great time.

[~max~]

Thanks Chuck, I'm looking forward to it, and also the wedding near Naples! Dreading the flight though....:O(

PS: if anyone has any advice on what to wear with a black strapless dress for that wedding, I'd be glad too! lol I'm afraid of looking like I'm going to a funeral....lol

[dustypuss]

~max~ I dont know if you know that Rome has a under ground its very cheap

if you want to eat cheep get to the little street caffs just out side the city walls . every thing is at least 3 times cheaper than the tourist side of the walls

IE bottle of beer (porini ) inside walls 4euros out side walls 1 euro

[dustypuss]

ps if possible DON'T get a taxi 40 euros for six miles :-(

[Buenchico]

Hi Max,

Dustypuss is no doubt wise to warn you about taxi fares but they're not always expensive. I did a day trip to Rome, a couple of months ago, and missed the bus back to Ciampino airport. I shared a taxi with someone else in the same position and the fare was only �30 (for a journey taking nearly 40 minutes). That's a great deal cheaper than London cabs, where the short (2 mile hop) from Liverpool Street to Waterloo costs around �15.

However, by far the cheapest way to get around is with a BTI or using BIGs:

A BIG (biglietto integrato gionaliero) is a day ticket for unlimited travel on the buses and metro. It costs just �4

A BTI (biglietto turistico integrato) is a 3-day ticket for the buses and metro. It costs �11.

The weather forecast is quite good
http://uk.weather.com/weather/10day-Rome-ITXX0 067
so you might want to spend some time on the beach. If so, take a southbound Line B Metro train, for 4 stops, to Pyramide. As you come up the steps out of Pyramide station, you come into a surface rail station. This appears on most transport maps as 'Ostiense' but, confusingly, it's got a different name at the station (and some maps inside the carriages have yet another name for it!). Anyway, that's where you catch the train for the 30 minute journey to Ostia Lido. (The BIG & BTI tickets are still valid on this train). Ostia Lido isn't the greatest seaside resort in the world but the beach is pleasant and there are some really good (inexpensive) restaurants.

For other ideas, try the 'Rome in 48/96 Hours' link, here:
http://www.romaturismo.it/v2/en/main.asp

Anyway, you won't see me on CB tonight, 'cos I'm off to bed early. I've got the alarm set for 0340

[Buenchico]

. . 'cos I'm off to Italy myself tomorrow. (Just for the day - Bergamo - �2 return fare, with no taxes or charges, courtesy of Ryanair).

Chris

[sara3]

don't attempt to even buy a coffee in St Marks Square unless you're loaded. do go to the Trevi Fountain.

have fun. I'm jealous ;o)

[~max~]

Oooh have fun Chris! Thanks for the travel tip, it's very cheap! :O)
I won't be going to the beach though because 1/ I hate beaches (lol) and 2/ I'm going to Naples for a week after that, so I bet my hosts will be going to the seaside anyway.

I'll be going to the Trevi fountain for sure, Sara! I also want to see the colosseum and the forum. Apart from that, I think I'll just do a "hop on hop off" bus tour for an afternoon! And eat LOADS of lovely pizza! :O) I can't wait!

[jno]

don't forget St Peter's

[filthiestfis]

beware of the gipsys hanging around Termini station and the entrances of other stations. The kids will grab your wallet/bag and make a run for it.
Also, avoid taking taxis to/from airport or altogether as often they rip you off steeply.
Take the metro as cheapest form of transport. There are lots of budget hotels in the Termini area. First time I went to Rome I stayed at the cambridge hotel. It sounds better than it was.

Note to Buenchico: enjoy your day trip to Bergamo and let us know if its worth it!

[Whickerman]

if you are planning a trip to the vatican, there are US students who give free tours for tips in the afternoons, so don't pay money for 'official' tours.

Avoid restaurants where they tout for your business too - the 'guaranteed' price on the outside menus (usually about �8) soon jumps once you sit down, and they add a cover charge, service charge, 'local tax', the same again for bread and for the bottle of wine that was on your table that you didn't use but didn't ask to be taken away (not that anyone would get caught out and get charged �60 for a chicken sandwich and a bowl of pasta - at least not again...)

[Lil O'lady]

The Coloseum is ringed around by scam tour-guides who will attempt to 'command' you into their groups, or will say the site is closing shortly so you should come with them, etc etc. Ignore them, go and get into the queue and go in under your own steam. The queue just looks long cos of the security, you are soon in. I have heard so-called guides telling some absolute rubbish to tourists whilst herding them round at a break-neck speed so they can cram another group in.
I think there is a ticket that gives you a discount to the coloseum and the forum - just across the road - but very tiring to 'do' both one after the other.