Page 380 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

378  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Arriving in Rome by Train,
Bus, or Car
Any overland journey to Rome is fastest by train, though
there are bus connections to most major European cities.
Within Italy, journeys between large cities are usually also
best done by train, but when traveling from towns that are
not on the main Intercity train routes, buses can be quicker.
For drivers, the Italian Automobile Club provides free
assistance, and excellent maps to members of affiliated A Frecciarossa train
automobile clubs from all over the world. Traveling by Train
In summer, the Trenitalia, the Italian state
station gets railroad company, has several
crowded, and you levels of service, including the
can expect long Regionale trains. These stop at
lines. Termini has almost every station, often have
baggage lockers, no air conditioning, and are
a police station, a much cheaper than the other
bureau de change, trains. On Regionale and
and tourist and InterRegionale trains, sometimes
travel information first-class seats are “declassed” so
offices. Other second-class ticket holders can
amenities include sit there. The Eurostar, a cleaner,
many tobacconists faster train, offers a first- and
and newsstands second-class service. It runs
The concourse at Stazione Termini (where you can buy between Rome and Milan, Turin,
bus and Metro tickets), as well as Genoa, Bari, Naples, and Venice,
Stazione Termini
various bars and restaurants on with an extra fast (alta velocità)
Stazione Termini, Rome’s main the mezzanine floor, with more Frecciarossa service operating
train station, is also the hub eateries and stores, including a on the Naples–Rome–Milan and
of the urban transportation bookstore, on the lower Termini Venice–Rome routes, although
system. Beneath it is the Forum level. A post office is it now faces stiff competition
interchange between Metro adjacent to platform 24, from the private high-speed
lines A and B, and outside, as are car rental desks. Italo trains (reserve
on Piazza dei Cinquecento, There is only one in advance for the
is the central bus terminal. waiting room, located best deals). You have to
Though it is one of Rome’s next to platform 1. reserve a seat and you are
most stunning 20th-century Of Rome’s other charged hefty supplements for
buildings, it also has some stations, four are the privileges of speed
unsavory aspects, so do not most likely to be useful Trenitalia logo and attendant services.
linger longer than necessary for tourists. They are Intercity trains, which are
at night. Ostiense and Trastevere, for for fast long-distance journeys,
If you do arrive here late, trains to Fiumicino airport and also charge a supplement. First-
there are usually taxis available Viterbo (see p273); Tiburtina, for and second-class tickets are
(go to the official taxi stand) some of the late-night and high- available to larger cities. From
even in the small hours, and speed trains on the north–south Rome you can also take inter-
many of the city’s night buses line through Italy; and Roma national or Eurocity (EC) trains
start at Termini. Nord, for trains to Prima Porta. all over Europe.

Termini, the heart of Italy’s railroad network and Rome’s transportation system

US_378-379_EW_Rome_US.indd 378 15/03/17 4:22 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical (transport) template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1)
Date 2nd August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm