Young Researchers' Meeting
Rome, 3-5 May 2006
Ancient Roman giant combing device
It seems that many of the young researchers are taking a few days holiday in Rome, and hence may not need urgent directions from the airport! However, these few tips might help.
Arrival in Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) airport.
All roads lead to Rome, as they say - and many lead, in fact, to Termini station. Getting to Termini from Fiumicino is dead easy: an express train leaves every 35mins or so (here express means non-stop, rather than fast!) When you exit the arrivals gate, follow the signs to the "Stazione" - it should be down the escalators in front of you and straight ahead. Best place to get the ticket is in the newsagent on the right, which generally has no queue. Costs about 10.50 one way. Stamp the ticket in the yellow box, and board the long train-shaped thing, rightmost platform usually. There are also cheaper trains to Tiburtina station, if you have to go there for some reason. Note: on the way back, if you find yourself at the platform for the train to the airport (at the very end of the station) without a ticket, you can save yourself a few euro by buying the ticket from the tabacchi down the stairs rather that from the rip-off men-in-hats at the little booth.
Some of the better hotels in the centre will run hotel taxis direct from Fiumicino, if you happen to be staying there before the conference. Check it out if that's the case.
Arrival in Ciampino airport.
There are various ways to get to the centre from Ciampino. If you are feeling unadventurous (or will be reimbursed for everything!) you might get a ticket for a direct coach laid on by some airlines (Ryanair, Easyjet, etc.). It is expensive and slow however. Nevertheless, if your flight out of Rome is before 6 a.m., you might have no choice. There's also an infrequent public connection direct to Termini, cost 5 euro. See the timetable here.
Locals are more likely to take the Cotral bus to Anagnina metro station (see the timetables), and take the metro from there. This (always full) bus departs from the middle of the square outside the arrivals terminal. Costs 1 Euro (from the ticket person, or the bus driver), with possibly extra 1 Euro per bag (depends on the driver, the bag, the phases of the moon). Will bring you direct (45 mins) to Anagnina, at the end of Metro line A. Go down the steps, get your tickets and take the metro to Termini (another 25 mins). The Cotral bus also stops at Ciampino train station, which will take you to Termini as well (you would want to check the timetable though, and is probably not worth the effort). If departing for Ciampino airport, this coach leaves from Platform 1 usually, you can buy the tickets from the bar in the station (NOT the ticket office - clever that).
You could take a taxi from Ciampino to Anagnina (its not terribly far), but you would be advised to do this only if you have an Italian with you, who can fight and/or recognise the route (you will NOT be passing the colosseum, for instance). No idea of the price!
Arrival by helicopter.
I'm sure your private chauffeur will drop you wherever you want to go, sir.Arrival in Termini train station.
Termini is the main focal point in Rome for regional and intercity trains, is the crossing point of the Metro A and B lines and well as being a major terminus for local busses. As you can imagine, its fairly full of tourists and people trying to steal your wallets. If you arrive from Fiumicino, you could exit immediately from the platform onto V. Giolitti (to get the 71 bus, for instance) - some hawkers will even try to divert you there with "Exit! Exit!" - but be warned, as unless you know where you are going, you will be immediately confused and lost. And quite probably some dude will see you and cry "Taxi! Taxi!", so you can guess what that means. Official taxis converge at the front of Termini station (P. dei Cinquecento) - it's best to try there for a taxi or most local busses to touristy Rome.
If you find yourself at Termini and are trying to get to the San Lorenzo area (the conference hotel/residence/conference centre), there are a few options. Check to see where you are staying, have a look at this map and see below.
Getting to the Residence
By bus: If you have bags and things, you might want to take a bus to the residence if arriving in Termini. Two possibilities are the 492 bus from P.za dell'Indipendenza (NOT P.za Cinquecento!) a little outside Termini, or the 71 bus from the Via. Giolitti area (see the area map for routes). Feel free to investigate other possibilities from the official Rome city bus map (ATAC) .
By metro: As you can see from the map, you might be a little closer to the residence if you take Metro line B to Policlinico (or Bologna, or Tiburtina), and walk from there. Haven't tried it myself.
By foot: Since the residence, hotels, conference centre and restaurant area are fairly close to each other, you will end up walking a lot (the busses are not very frequent either!). From Termini to the residence is about 30-45 mins; from Termini to Pl. A. Moro it's about 15-20 mins.
By taxi: In theory, it's not so far or expensive by taxi. However, this is Rome, and there is a good chance you are not italian. Be prepared for a little trip around the sights, and get your credit card ready :). Seriously, you might be a little stung anyway, since Via Tiburtina is very long, and the driver might have some difficulty finding the place.
Getting to the Hotels
By foot: Really, its easiest just to walk. Unfortunately, the back of Termini (along Via Marsala) is really sleazy, and it's not a very comfortable place to walk alone at night. Just hold your breath and you'll get there soon enough (10-15 mins from Termini).
Hotel Amico: If anyone ended up staying out here on Via Tuscolana, there are plenty of trams from around Via. P. Amedeo (I think), such as the 5 and 11. For getting to and from the conference, the 19 is the best; to get to San Lorenzo (for dining, say) you could take the 5 or 11 and get off at Porta Maggiore at the bottom of the map.
Getting to the Conference Centre (CNR, Pl. Aldo Moro)
This should be clear from the map. Several of you have a short walk; the residence people have a slightly longer walk (about 20 mins), or could take the 492 or 71 busses (you might end up waiting 20 mins though!).