River boats of Rome (I Battelli di Roma)

River boats are a pretty new way of getting around this beautful city and see Rome from the Tiber, the most ancient monument. I left from Calata Anguillara, a few steps from Tiberina Island, and went to Ponte Duca d'Aosta and then the same way back. You have the chance to see the city from another point of view and I highly recommend this experience!

Website: http://www.battellidiroma.it
 

Arriving & Departing
By Air: The principal airport for flights to Rome is Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) (PHONE: 06/65951, www.adr.it), commonly known by the name of its location, Fiumicino. It's 30 km (19 mi) southwest of the city, on the coast. It has been enlarged and equipped with computerized baggage handling and has a direct train link with downtown Rome. Rome's other airport is Ciampino (CIA) (PHONE: 06/794941, www.adr.it) on Via Appia Nuova, 15 km (9 mi) south of downtown. Ciampino is a civil and military airport used by some international flights and most charter companies.
When flying out of Italian airports, always check with the airport or tourist agency about upcoming strikes, which are frequent in Italy and often affect air travel. Flying time to Rome is 7½-8½ hours from New York, 10-11 hours from Chicago, 12-13 hours from Los Angeles, and 2½ hours from London.

Carriers:

Alitalia (PHONE: 800/223-5730; 0870/544-8259 in U.K., www.alitalia.it).

British Airways (PHONE: 0845/773-3377 in U.K., www.britishairways.com).

Continental (PHONE: 800/231-0856, www.flycontinental.com).

Delta (PHONE: 800/241-4141, www.deltaairlines.com).

Northwest (PHONE: 800/225-2525, www.nwa.com).

Ryanair (PHONE: 0871/246-000, ryanair.com).

US Airways (PHONE: 800/622-1015, www.usairways.com).

Transfers Between the Airport and Town

Between Fiumicino & Downtown

By Car: When approaching by car, follow the signs for Rome and the GRA (the ring road that circles Rome). The direction you take on the GRA depends on where your hotel is located. If it is in the Via Veneto area, for instance, you would take the GRA in the direction of the Via Aurelia, turn off the GRA onto the Via Aurelia, and follow it into Rome. Get a map and directions from the car-rental desk at the airport.

By Taxi: A taxi ride to the center of Rome costs about EUR50, including supplementi (extra charges) for airport service and luggage, and takes about 30-45 minutes. Private limousines can be booked at booths in the Arrivals hall; they charge a little more than taxis but can carry more passengers. There is a taxi stand in front of the International Arrivals hall and a booth inside for taxi information. Use only licensed white or older yellow taxis. Avoid drivers who may approach you in the Arrivals hall; they charge exorbitant, unmetered rates.

By Train: Two trains link downtown Rome with Fiumicino. Inquire at the EPT tourist information counter in the International Arrivals hall or train information counter near the tracks to determine which takes you closest to your destination in Rome. The 30-minute nonstop Airport-Termini express (called the Leonardo Express) goes directly to Track 22 at Termini Station, Rome's main train station, which is well served by taxis and is a hub of Metro and bus lines. The ride to Termini takes 30 minutes; departures are every half hour beginning at 6:37 AM from the airport, with a final departure at 11:37 PM. Trains depart Termini to the airport starting at 5:52 AM and run until 11:23 PM. Tickets cost EUR8.80.
FM1, the other airport train, leaves from the same tracks and runs to Rome and beyond, serving commuters as well as air travelers. The main stops in Rome are at Trastevere (35 minutes), Ostiense (40 minutes), and Tiburtina (50 minutes); at each you can find taxis and bus and/or Metro connections to other parts of Rome. FM1 trains run from Fiumicino between 5:57 AM and 11:27 PM, with departures every 20 minutes (a little less frequently in off-hours); the schedule is similar going to the airport. Tickets cost EUR4.70. For either train, buy your ticket at a vending machine or at ticket counters at the airport and at some stations (Termini Track 22, Trastevere, Tiburtina). At the airport, stamp the ticket at the gate. Remember when using the train at other stations to stamp the ticket in the little yellow or red machine near the track before you board. During the night, take COTRAL buses from the airport to Tiburtina Station in Rome (45 minutes); they depart from in front of the International Arrivals hall at 1:15, 2:15, 3:30, and 5 AM. Buses leave Tiburtina Station for the airport at 12:30, 1:15, 2:30, 3:45, and 5 AM. Tickets either way cost EUR3.60.

Between Ciampino & Downtown

By Car: Drive north on the Via Appia Nuova into downtown Rome.

By Taxi: A taxi from Ciampino to the center of Rome can cost anywhere between EUR30 and EUR40, and the ride takes about 20 minutes. Take only official cabs with the "Taxi" sign on top; unofficial cabs often overcharge disoriented travelers.

By Train: A COTRAL bus connects the airport with the Anagnina Station of Metro line A, which takes you into the center of the city. Buses depart from in front of the airport terminal around 25 times a day between 6:50 AM and 11:40 PM. The fare is EUR1 and your ticket is also good for the Metro. Have change handy for the ticket machine, which is not always working. There is also a shop inside the terminal that can sell you a ticket, but it keeps erratic hours. If both purchasing options fail, board the bus and offer to pay the driver. For more information, contact:

Transfer Contacts

COTRAL (PHONE: 800/150008).

Trenitalia (PHONE: 166/105050).



By Car
The main access routes from the north are A1 (Autostrada del Sole) from Milan and Florence and the A12-E80 highway from Genoa. The principal route to or from points south, including Naples, is the A2. All highways connect with the Grande Raccordo Anulare (GRA), which channels traffic into the city center. Markings on the GRA are confusing: take time to study the route you need.


By Train
State-owned Trenitalia (PHONE: 848-888088, www.trenitalia.it) trains are part of the Metrebus system and also serve some destinations on side trips outside Rome. The main Trenitalia stations in Rome are Termini, Tiburtina, Ostiense, and Trastevere. Suburban trains use all of these stations. The Ferrovie COTRAL line departs from a terminal in Piazzale Flaminio, connecting Rome with Viterbo.

Classes
Trenitalia trains have first and second classes. On local trains the higher, first-class fare gets you a clean doily on the headrest of your seat, a little more legroom, and a little less crowding. On long-distance trains (to Florence and Venice, for instance), first-class travel is worth the difference, and it is essential to make seat reservations in either class, which can be done through Trenitalia or most travel agencies.

Fares & Schedules

For destinations within 100 km (62 mi) of Rome, you can buy a kilometrico ticket. Like bus tickets, they can be purchased at some newsstands and in ticketing machines, as well as at Trenitalia ticket windows. Buy them in advance so you won't waste time in line at station ticket booths. Like all train tickets, they must be date-stamped in the little yellow or red machines near the track before you board. Within a range of 100 km (62 mi) they are valid for six hours from the time they are stamped, and you can get on and off at will at stops in between for the duration of the ticket's validity.

Rome discount pass. www.romapass.it
Visitors to Rome can now buy useful three-day discount cards to museums and public transport. Thanks to a new initiative backed up the city council, the ministry of fine art and culture and the city public transport company ATAC, the €18 “Roma Pass” allows entry to two sites or museums without paying, and then reductions on entry to successive museums and sites and special reductions on entry to exhibitions and events. The pass also includes a transport card for three days use of transport on city buses, metro and local trains to Ostia Lido, Sacrofano to the north of the city and Pantano to the east. Roma Pass also comes complete with a map of Rome, a pass guide, with a list of all the museums and sites, and a copy of “Roma News” with information of events, exhibitions, concerts, theatre, dance and tourist services.

The Roma Pass can be purchased at tourist information points, in hotels, at ATAC ticket offices, from newsstands, and tobacconists. For information see www.romapass.it