Hi Everyone

Im new to this forum not an experienced tourist and 70 so hoping for some tips .
We are going to Italy in August next year and we want to stay near Rome Termini only because we think we can get the train from the airport to there easily and back again without getting lost . We would like to stay in a reasonable hotel and were looking at Hyatt but doesn't seem to be open yet .
Can anyone please tell us if we are on the right track staying near Termini or give us some suggestions.

Many Thanks
Mark K

Welcome to FlyerTalk, Mark James K!
I am moving your question to Italy forum.

NewbieRunner
co-moderator, CommunityBuzz

Hi Mark

The immediate surroundings of any train station in Italy aren't the most salubrious places, to be perfectly honest with you. You won't be in danger of life (Italy as a whole, a country of 60 million, sees less murders than Memphis, but train stations - especially at night - attract people who are a bit down on their luck. You might be asked for money, or offered drugs. Termini isn't also very close to the "best" areas for sightseeing, too.

Termini is served by Metro's line A, and it's fairly easy to use. You can access contactless it with your debit/credit card as long as it's a chip&pin, or Apple Pay. Alternatively, you might want to book a transfer from the airport, there's plenty of advice in this forum about reputable NCC companies (I'd steer clear of taxi drivers in Rome/Italy at large).

The area around Termini is not great. Many of the hotels and restaurants not great. Further from many tourist areas. A bit sketchy (although doable). The express train from FCO is 14 E per person. A taxi to anywhere in Rome is 48 E. I would find a nice hotel in a nice area and take a taxi directly there.

It depends a little. The area is actually not bad and there are also some decent hotels. For example, I'm thinking of booking the St. Regis for my next stay, as it's very well located for the opera, which would be the main reason for the short trip. On the other hand, for a classic tourist I would recommend something near the Spanish Steps or the Colosseum.

Now a taxi from FCO to a location within the Aurelian Walls is �55.

Do not stay in the immediate surroundings of Termini, for the reasons perfectly explained by other posters, but 10 min walk from Termini will be perfectly fine.

I often stay near Termini, it is a good area to stay. Normally I have stayed at Unihotel Roma, it’s a good business hotel about 1 block from the station. It’s not necessarily cheap, you have to look for the special offers, but there are many suitable accommodations at all prices all around that area. Only the first street, immediately next to the station is a bit questionable but I have never felt unsafe there. It is also a good area for sightseeing, lots of major attractions within walking distance, and it has great bus and metro connections. The local dining options are a mixed bag, some good, some not so good, but one of the best dining areas in Rome is just a short walk down the hill. There is also a great food market in the station itself. Is it the best area to stay for sightseeing, no, that would probably be down closer to the Pantheon, but that is a lot more expensive. My guess is that a lot of people who tell you not to stay near Termini have never actually stayed there.

I have, and I speak the language. I'm recommending to choose other areas just as an abundance of caution and to avoid giving a bad impression of the city to travellers who might be tired after a long journey, don't speak Italian, and perhaps aren't that used to the place. As far as places go, Termini is definitely safer than many US downtowns.

Beside the hotel location I would rethink about the travel period, since the last 15 years at least, mid summer months in Italy (beside alpine area) July and August are too hot for a comfortable visit in my opinion, even more with all other high season related annoyances, crowds and high prices.

Years ago the August was one of the cheapest months. Many things closed and nicely warm. Was OK when I was young, today I wouldn't go.

I agree with those posts about August. Rome is a great city for walking, the main attractions are not very far apart with the exception of the Vatican perhaps. However it is very hilly and in the heat and crowds of August that would likely be very tough for someone 70 years old. I am 73 myself. You will likely need a lot of taxis or buses.