DIY Rome by Train

I am planning on doing a private tour of the Vatican in September, but need to be there for 9 am. Therefore would need to catch either the 7.30 or 7.44 train from Civitavecchia. Can anyone that is on Discovery this week lat me know what time is the earliest you can get off? If the train doesn't work it will have to be a taxi.

You should be able to get off straight away. We've also done this by train and it's so easy - we saw much more than the people who were on trips. We arrived at the Vatican at 9am and expected queues but there were only a few people there so we were straight in. We'd then pre-planned a walk taking in all the sights we wanted and ended up at the Colliseum and Forum. The only thing to be aware of is the station Rome Termini is very large and you need to allow plenty of time to find the train back.

That's really helpful Dronnygirl.

I've been to Rome on cruises twice but we have always bottled travelling to Rome ourselves from Civitiveccia!

Can you tell me where you found the train timetable?

Thanks!

I used this web site for train timetables http://www.civitavecchia.net/travellers-trains.html

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sorry this is so long, but may be of use to you.....

Civitvecchia to Rome by train from cruise ship - This is an extremely easy and cheap way to see Rome on your own. The 3 main points that make this day relaxing and enjoyable are:

An early start – be in front of the cruise ship trips

Planning before you go so that you are not dithering what do when you get to Rome

Leave plenty of time for the train back to Civitavecchia as Termini is a very large station

We left the ship at 7.15 am and the shuttle bus was waiting at the bottom of the gang plank to take us the 5 minute journey out of the docks. The bus dropped us off and we walked to the right, around the corner to a kiosk where we purchased tickets to Rome. Tickets are 12 euros each for return journey or 16 euros for the non-stop faster train, however faster train was booked up. They will give you a timetable with your ticket. We took the 08.02 train and arrived at 8.55 am at Rome St. Pietro station. We got off there and walked round the corner to the Vatican. As it was early, there was only a small queue which was moving quickly. 10 minute wait and we were in St Peter’s Basilica (free of charge). Came out of Basilica and decided not to go to Sistine Chapel as you have to go through the Museum and it is a long walk. With limited time, we preferred to try to see Coliseum instead.

Walked towards Castel St Angelo and across the Pont St Angelo. We then took a left turn and walked by the riverbank to the next bridge and turned right, across the road, and we saw a sign for Piazza Navona. Followed sign into Piazza. This is a large open space with 3 fountains and lots of artists painting and plenty of cafes.

Took route out by the middle fountain and followed signs to Pantheon. Again another square with plenty of cafes. Was able to sit in Pantheon to rest our legs!

Then followed route to Trevi Fountain. Very busy square. By this time we were hungry and stopped for lunch in a cafe just off the square. Paninis 4 euros which we thought reasonable.

Moved out of square and toward the Coliseum. We came out at a large crossroad with the Coliseum straight ahead. However, the Forum is just across the road and it is best to purchase tickets from the Forum for both sites (12 euros) as there was only a 5 minute queue at the Forum, whereas we waited 25 minutes for tickets at the Coliseum. Walked around both.

We had seen all we wanted to see by 3pm so had an ice cream and headed for the underground station opposite the Coliseum as we wanted to take the 16.12 train from Termini back to Civitavecchia to get us back to ship by 17.30. The underground was very easy and we only waited a couple of minutes for a train – 2 stops to Termini Station.

At Termini we had to go up stairs to the main station. This is a very large station and you have to watch the notice boards to see which platform you require. Civitavecchia train was platform 28 and we could only see platforms 1-24. Saw a sign for 25-29 and followed. Then had to walk a good distance to these 4 platforms. We arrived just in time for the 15.45 train which arrived at Civitavecchia at 17.00. Leave plenty of time as this is a very large station and easy to miss signs.

We walked back from the station along the sea front which was very pleasant with cafes and ice cream places, to the shuttle bus back to the ship.

We had a fabulous and cheap day out. We did not stroll along as we wanted to fit so much in but kept walking and did all we wanted.

When we compared notes with people who had done the ships trips, they had paid £80 each and had spent a lot of time waiting for people who turned up late at rendezvous and didn’t see as much as we had.

The trains are clean and comfortable with upstairs if you want a good view. They appear to run on time. However, beware that they sometimes change the platform at the last minute e.g. when leaving Civitvecchia we were told platform 1 but as the train approached we were told platform 3 – just follow everyone else!

Would really recommend this but you will need to keep an eye on the time – don’t miss the train back.

Keep the phone number of the ship with you in case of an emergency.

Please be aware that the shuttles in Civitavecchia don't drop you at the port gate any more....they drop you in a car/coach park further away from the station probably at least 15 minute walk......I have heard there is a local bus which goes there for a euro or two so best do your research.....it used to be so easy but changed at least 6 months ago...maybe longer!

Please be aware that the shuttles in Civitavecchia don't drop you at the port gate any more....they drop you in a car/coach park further away from the station probably at least 15 minute walk......I have heard there is a local bus which goes there for a euro or two so best do your research.....it used to be so easy but changed at least 6 months ago...maybe longer!

It's still really easy, the shuttle from the port drops you in a car park at the edge of town, you can take another bus that is very well sign posted for 2 euros to the station or you can walk to the station really easily in about the same time because the bus will wait to fill up so if the bus is nearly full pay the 2 euros and get going but if the bus is empty and waiting to fill up just walk. We had a 10 year old and a 75 year old in our party and have done both.