bigsky

On 7/23/2023 at 1:21 PM, euro cruiser said:

You can do that, or you can take the metro to Pyramide and the train back to Civitavecchia from the adjacent Roma Ostiense station.

 

If you plan to use a Frecce train you must go to Termini, they don't stop at the other stations.

 

There is one seat assigned train from Roma Ostiense to Civitavecchia in the afternoon, the 16:07 IC (4:07 PM) that arrives to Civitavecchia at 16:45 (4:45 PM).  The last minute fare for this train is 11,50 euro in second class or 15,50 euro in first class.  This train makes no stops between Ostiense and Civitavecchia.

Thank you....looks like you really have to plan out your day to make sure you get back to the station at a certain time. Never have been there, don't know what we'll want to do after the Colosseum tour.

The Caribbean is so much easier to plan! haha....probably because we've been there like 17 times.

23 hours ago, John Bull said:

If all you're interested in seeing is the Colosseum and the Forum (and if so you'll also have time for Palatine Hill) then back to Ostiense station makes sense - it avoids the very large "zoo" that is Termini.

 

The 4.05 train that Eurocruiser mentioned is about the right time for return to ships which are scheduled to sail no earlier than 6pm  / back-on-board time of 5.30pm .

Trains to Civi at that time of day are packed with cruisers - everyone squeezes on but you'd be very lucky indeed to get a seat when you board at Ostiense.

11.50 euros - or even 15.50 - for pre-booked assigned seats would be money well-spent 🙂

 

Other alternatives are Termini station if you end up somewhere near the Trevi Fountain or Spanish Steps, or San Pietro (for most but not all trains) if you end up at the Vatican.

Carry with you a note of return train times from Termini and Ostiense and San Pietro.

 

JB 🙂

We have reservations for a tour for the Colosseum/Forum/Hill...We planned to skip the Vatican this time. I'm not pushing to do too much and the heat I know will take a lot out of us. Our tour is for 11:15 meeting at the metro when we get off. Not sure if we'll want to grab a taxi to the Trevi fountain or not. This is our first time. Don't want to regret not going though. If we do, I'll keep that in mind. 

We do want to grab the train about 4.

Trying to figure out how much in euro's to bring. I've read you can buy onboard as well if needed. When I've gone to Belgium, there was a place at the airport to turn it in for American currency. Can we do that onboard or at the airport in Barcelona prior to flying out?

Thank you!

On 7/21/2023 at 2:10 AM, carlmm said:

Ones inside there are people who can direct you where to go and when to be there.

Thank you. Got our tickets, but were lucky to get what we did. The tower was sold out. Next time...

On 7/20/2023 at 2:00 PM, cruisemom42 said:

I think you are spinning. Take a breath.

 

There are a number of moving parts.

 

Starting with the trains, Trenitalia (which serves Civitavecchia) has various classes of trains:

 

The "Regionale" (R) trains are basically like commuter trains, almost like a subway in that there are no reserved seats and people are free to stand in the cars. They are mainly intended for daily commuters. They depart frequently throughout the day in each direction between Rome and Civitavecchia.

 

There are also Inner-City (IC) and Frecce (F) trains, both of which have reserved seats. The Frecce trains are the premium express trains -- they are fast and have fewer stops.

 

However, from Civitavecchia there is also a special "Express" train that is primarily laid on for cruise ship passengers trying to get from Civitavecchia to Rome. It also has limited stops.

 

NONE OF THESE STOP DIRECTLY AT THE COLOSSEUM.

 

@euro cruiser is pretty much an expert on the Express trains, I haven't kept up with the info as I haven't used them. But if you go back to the beginning of this thread, you'll find a lot of info there which probably answers your questions.

 

Regarding getting to the train station in Civi, this post should answer your questions about the regular shuttle options:  https://civitavecchia.portmobility.it/en/shuttles

 

As you will read, the first option "Direct Cruise/Railway Station Service" is 6 euros per person and is far easier than trying to get the free port shuttle to the entrance and then the 2 euro public bus to the train station.

 

Of course, this does not include info on the RCL shuttle, if there is one. You'd need to ask on the RCL board about that. Sometimes it takes awhile for ship-sponsored shuttles to be up and running....

 

Thank you for all your info. 

On 7/21/2023 at 12:39 PM, TheHawk1 said:

I took my very first day trip to Rome last year from Wonder of the Seas, which is exactly the same itinerary/times as Symphony this year. Based on some of the expert advice I received on CC and my own research, here's what I did, which was absolutely not stressful:

1. Got off the ship around 7:30 am.  Took shuttle (6 euros) direct to train station
2. Took the 8:44 regional train into Rome. Easily found two seats, as it wasn't that crowded (in mid-Sept).
3. Got off at Ostiense station.  Went to take the underground tunnel to Piramide metro station and it was closed for construction.  Had a moment of freaking out, then simply walked upstairs and outside and walked the block to metro station.
4. Took subway to Colosseo station. I had tickets booked in advance for 10:30 entrance time and was easily there 20 minutes in advance of the tour start.
5. Around 4:00 pm after a day of touring, took the subway back to Termini station. Caught the 4:57 Frecce train back to Civitavecchia port (having the reserved seat in a quiet car was a nice way to end the day).  Made it back to the ship by 6:30 pm, in plenty of time before departure.

 

I liked it so much, am going back this year on the Symphony cruise in October to catch many of the sights I didn't have time for on the first trip.

Sounds good. The more I read, it sounds pretty easy. Thanks

Curious, once you got back to the Civi port, did you grab a taxi back to the ship?

On 7/20/2023 at 2:00 PM, cruisemom42 said:

I think you are spinning. Take a breath.

 

There are a number of moving parts.

 

Starting with the trains, Trenitalia (which serves Civitavecchia) has various classes of trains:

 

The "Regionale" (R) trains are basically like commuter trains, almost like a subway in that there are no reserved seats and people are free to stand in the cars. They are mainly intended for daily commuters. They depart frequently throughout the day in each direction between Rome and Civitavecchia.

 

There are also Inner-City (IC) and Frecce (F) trains, both of which have reserved seats. The Frecce trains are the premium express trains -- they are fast and have fewer stops.

 

However, from Civitavecchia there is also a special "Express" train that is primarily laid on for cruise ship passengers trying to get from Civitavecchia to Rome. It also has limited stops.

 

NONE OF THESE STOP DIRECTLY AT THE COLOSSEUM.

 

@euro cruiser is pretty much an expert on the Express trains, I haven't kept up with the info as I haven't used them. But if you go back to the beginning of this thread, you'll find a lot of info there which probably answers your questions.

 

Regarding getting to the train station in Civi, this post should answer your questions about the regular shuttle options:  https://civitavecchia.portmobility.it/en/shuttles

 

As you will read, the first option "Direct Cruise/Railway Station Service" is 6 euros per person and is far easier than trying to get the free port shuttle to the entrance and then the 2 euro public bus to the train station.

 

Of course, this does not include info on the RCL shuttle, if there is one. You'd need to ask on the RCL board about that. Sometimes it takes awhile for ship-sponsored shuttles to be up and running....

 

haha...yes, need to breath. This is all last minute for me since we were supposed to do a tour and they had to cancel since we didn't have enough from the ship booking the tour. We leave a little over a week. 

57 minutes ago, John Bull said:

 

That's two stops on the metro / subway / call-it-what-you-will

 

Train direct  from Civi to Ostiensa (train terminates further on at Termini station).

Follow the clear directions from Ostiensa station to the attached Piramide metro station, & take the blue metro line (end destination Rebibbia or Conca D-Oro) two stops to Colosseo station.

If you took the Regional train from Civi., unlimited same-day travel on Rome's metro and fare-stage buses (not ho-ho's) is included with your train ticket. I don't know whether that's included with Express train tickets.

 

If you don't pre-purchase your train tickets (difficult, because you can only buy from about 7 days ahead) and there's a line at Civi station ticket office, buy from the newsstand at Civi station (same price)  .

 

Train tickets are un-dated. Be sure to validate (activate) your ticket on the platform at Civi. (our first time we didn't, expecting there to be machines on the train - so we spent the whole journey worrying that there'd be a ticket inspector on the train -there wasn't)

 

If you haven't pre-purchased your Colosseum tickets (a three-site ticket for Palatine Hill, the Colosseum and the Forum) get off the metro at the first station, Circo Massimo, and walk toward the Colosseum (10-minute walk) down Via Di S. Gregorio. On the way you'll pass on your left the entrance to Palatine Hill.

Lines there are short, so buy your 3-site tickets there - altho on a port-of-call visit you won't have time to visit  Palatine Hill as well as the other major sights.

Continue down to the Colosseum, smugly walk past the long line for tickets and join the line for security.

 

The Forum is right across the road from the Colosseum 🙂

 

https://www.rome.info/transport/public-transport/metro/

 

https://www.rometoolkit.com/transport/rome_train.htm

(good Rome info on other pages of that website)

 

JB 🙂

 

Yes, we have a tour booked for the Colosseum and they meet at the metro.

So return, we get back on the metro to the Termini and take that to the Civi port ?

On 7/21/2023 at 3:26 AM, John Bull said:

 

From Civitavecchia - all stations ('though there's only the one)

To Rome Termini

I think the fare is the same to any Rome station, tho' it's much much more convenient to alight (or board for the return to Civi.) at Rome San Pietro (then 15 - 20 minute walk to the Vatican) or at Rome Ostiensa (then two stops on the metro for the Colosseum).

 

JB 🙂

Another question...I went to the Trenitalia website. I put in from Civitavecchia Porto to Roma Ostiense. I want to get to the Colosseum though. Do I take something else to get there? You said two more stops. This isn't the Civi Express is it? I've been trying to figure out how to book that with no luck. People say train, metro, subway. Confused..

4 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

From Civitavecchia - all stations ('though there's only the one)

To Rome Termini

I think the fare is the same to any Rome station, tho' it's much much more convenient to alight (or board for the return to Civi.) at Rome San Pietro (then 15 - 20 minute walk to the Vatican) or at Rome Ostiensa (then two stops on the metro for the Colosseum).

 

JB 🙂

Thank you

8 minutes ago, marazul said:

You can stay as long as you want to after the tour.

You pick your time for the tour and then you pick the time you want to arrive. Either 15 or 30 minutes before the tour starts. It's for your convenience and to make sure you will not be late for the tour which starts on time.

Thank you. My tour begins 15 after we arrive. 

I'm buying tickets now. It has a time for the Sagrada Familia and then a time for the tour. ???? Do we just enter at that time and then our time is 15 minutes later for the tour. After the tour, can we stay and look longer? Wasn't sure why there was two different times to choose from.

Thanks!

On 7/18/2023 at 12:35 PM, carlmm said:

You can choose between the towers on the nativity and the passion side. The nativuty facade is the only completed duri g Gaudi's lifetime. From the towers on the passion you have a view of most of the historic Barcelona (and the port). It is intereting to see eg. the mosaics close by. Currently some ongoing work on the main towers can br watched.

Yet, if you cannot get tickets, don't worry: The church itself is breathtaking.

I just tried getting tickets for the towers and only 1 left for a few times. 

34 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

or try out "Tours by Locals"

I'll look at them as well....thanks. Used them?

26 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

Are the tours for the same (approximate) number of people?  I always think of "Get Your Guide" as being for small private tours.

Pretty much and same price. One may have less, but not much. Get your guide has different tours with amount of people. Just wasn't sure if City Wonders or Get your guide is much better for different reason reasons. 

I'm spending way tooooooo much time on this! This is last minute as our tour company may not work out since we're a couple short and now I'm booking back up plans. We fly out in two weeks!

Anyone have experience with either of them? Preference over one?

Both about the same price for a tour of the Colosseum and the other two stops. (forum and the Hill)

Thanks!

Does anyone have a link for the Civi express tickets? I can find it....thanks!!!!

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Are you conflating the RCCL shuttle and the public bus?  I'm guessing the RCCL shuttle is probably 25.00; the public bus is 6.00 euros.

Thought public bus was 2e?

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

If the Metro is too overwhelming, you can walk from Termini to the Colosseum or if time is of the essence you can get a taxi from Termini. After all, you only have a day.

I thought there was one that left at 9:10? Civi express?? I'm lost on the website. Just has leaving each hour. 

1 minute ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

That's a plus. You should be able to make an earlier train than the Frecce since I think you want to get to Rome as early as you can. 

 

I'd just get off the ship as soon as its cleared (shouldn't take too long) and take either the RCCL shuttle or the bus, whichever appears to be up and running first.

 

Then once you get to the train station, you can buy your tickets for the next available train. There is a ticket office or you can also buy them in the Tabaccheria (shop).

 

If you think you'll be using the buses or metro in Rome to get around, purchase the BIRG ticket. It includes R/T fare to Rome and back to Civi plus use of all buses and metro in Rome for the day (HOHO buses not included).

I'm trying to get the train that's non stop...express? How often does the Frecce leave? Are the trains before that not non stop? So many questions. Had this all done with a tour, but that may not happen now. I just want to take a non stop train to the Colosseum. We'll just visit the sites there. It's going to be hot and miserable. Need to get this done asap

1 hour ago, euro cruiser said:

It's fine to buy Frecce (fast, non stop train) tickets in advance, but there's no point in purchasing the regional tickets in advance because they never sell out and there's no price incentive to buy early.

 

The first Frecce you could make isn't until 9:16 (arrives Rome Termini at 10:03), so you'd have plenty of time to make that one.

 

In addition to the cruise line shuttle there is a port shuttle bus for 6 euro that takes you from your ship/terminal directly to the train station in Civitavecchia.

Trying to enter info to buy tickets. What is the place I'm going from and to?

Just now, cruisemom42 said:

 

Does Royal offer a shuttle to the train station?

yes they do

5 minutes ago, euro cruiser said:

If you take a Frecce train to Rome Termini, get off there and go downstairs to the metro, line B, direction Laurentina.  Get off at the second exit, Colosseo.  As you exit the station you'll be staring at the Colosseum, right across the street.

 

Map of regional rail and metro lines here:  mappa ferro e tram (giu 2022) (atac.roma.it)

 

If you take a regionale train, get off at Roma Ostiense and follow signs for the Piramide metro station (there is an underground passage).  Take the metro, Line B, direction Jonio or Rebibbia, for two stops to Colosseo.

Is there an easier way to get there directly? Train straight to the Colosseo?

42 minutes ago, mapleleaves said:

 

I would have gladly paid 6E for a bus to Civi station!   well worth it for the time and convenience of ship to Civi station. It's a new option this yr so it wasn't available for us. 

But if you don't want to pay the 6E, you can do what we did; take the free shuttle to the port entrance then catch a city bus to Civi station for a euro or 2.

 

We ended our day at the Colosseum. Took a cab to the Ostiense station. $10-$15, maybe 10 minutes..  I'm sure we could have found a bus or subway, but again, the time and convenience were important. Plus the comfort!

We took 2 or 3 cabs that day, well worthwhile. 

Oh, someone said it was 25.00 pp! 6E is nothing. Did you take a train to the Colosseum? If so, which one?

Has anyone docked in Rome (Civitavecchia) and taken the train on their own? Says we dock at 7am. I'm thinking if we get the shuttle from Royal, maybe that will give us priority than going to the train on our own.

What time were you able to get off the ship if you did it alone? With Royal shuttle?

Not sure if what time I should try and get train tickets or wait to get them at the station.

Thanks!