Hello Everyone!

My husband is very concerned now that he read the following paragraph from www.lifeinitaly.com:

"FERRAGOSTO

Next to Christmas, Easter, and New Years, Ferragosto is one of the most celebrated holidays in Italy. Celebrated on the fifteenth of August, it celebrates the rise of Mary up to heaven to join her son Jesus, taking her place by his side to look after those of us remaining here on Earth. It is a day of great festivities with celebrations in the streets and prayers to the Virgin Mary for thanks and support. All of Italy shuts down to celebrate Ferragosto All of Italy shuts down to celebrate Ferragosto."

His concern is that we are arriving on August 15th in Rome. I am traveling by myself with our two young children (ages 7 and 5 years) into CIA on the early flight from Frankfurt (we will have been in Munich for two weeks, so no jet lag!). My husband is traveling solo via London and arriving late afternoon at FCO. As we have both been to Rome twice (last time in 2006), I felt reasonably confident that I could navigate BY MYSELF from CIA airport (never flown into) to the city centre where we have rented an apartment in Campo dei Fiori. My thoughts were that I would take the train into Trastevere and then probably a cab. I have no time constraints, in fact I can only arrive at the apartment at 2:00 p.m. and we arrive at 8:30 a.m. My husband is frantic that NOTHING will be operational (see above quote) meaning I will have two young children and be stranded somewhere in Rome! Am I irrational to believe that I can safely make my way? If it were just me traveling, I would laugh at my husband, but since I have our children, I guess I should ask all of you VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE people!

The only other piece of info that you all should know, is that I will only have a backpack and a small carry-on tote, maybe an umbrella stroller. So NOT much luggage at all!

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts & suggestions!

Cindi

It's not quite that drastic. Lots of things do shut, but the Italians are having a holiday and not many of them are thanking the Blessed Virgin. They are starting their vacations, going to beaches, museums, out to eat. Public transport will be on holiday schedule. It will still run. People in the tourism business will be working. Nowadays many take their vacations earlier because they can make lots of money by being open when Italians are holidaying.

Even on Christmas, airports and associated transfer services still operate. It's the same on Ferragosto. There'll be cabs, don't worry, you will not be stranded. It's just that anything that is not strictly tourist-oriented will likely be closed (local shops, etc.).

Buses, etc., still run as well, but likely observing holidays hours.

If you have any doubts I would confirm with the folks from whom you rented your apartment. Perhaps for your comfort level you could book a driver for yourself and the kids on your arrival to take you directly to the apartment.

We were in Rome during Ferragosto in 2006. It was actually very nice. Not as crowded as usual and the traffic was very light by Rome standards. You should have no problems getting around.

quote:

As we have both been to Rome twice (last time in 2006), I felt reasonably confident that I could navigate BY MYSELF from CIA airport (never flown into) to the city centre where we have rented an apartment in Campo dei Fiori. My thoughts were that I would take the train into Trastevere and then probably a cab.

There is no train from the Ciampino airport. The train station in the town of Ciampino is on the "back side" of the airport and is about 3 miles from the CIA terminal. You could take a cab from the airport to there or take the ATRAL bus (1 Euro each)to the station and catch the one of the trains from the Ciampino station into Rome (these trains go into Termini, not Trastevere) and then take a cab from Termini to your accomodations.

Look at the Ciampino ground transportation webpage for additional information.

OR

You could get a cab from Ciampino to your lodgings for 30 euros. Make sure you use an official cab and confirm the price before you start. I think this is your best way.

If you are going to buy metrebus passes for each one as soon as you land, AND you already familiar with public transport in Rome, and want to save money, the cheapest way will be to take the bus to the Anagnina metro station, the metro to Termini or to the Republica stop and take the No. 64 bus and get off at bus stop C.SO VITTORIO EMANUELE/NAVONA.

I would do this, but I doubt my wife would want to do it by herself.

Bill



Bill

Thank you all!

I did not think it would be a terribly difficult situation, so thank you for giving my husband some comfort! Bill, thank you especially for your very detailed information on how to get from CIA to centre. Could I also take a SITA bus from CIA to Termini and then go to the Trastevere stop? From Trastevere we could meander over to Campo dei Fiori or if children are too tired, a cab. I am trying to remember if I could do that?

Also, had thought of the car service, but where is the adventure in that! - I want the kids to see real Italians, real living. This is their heritage and Italians are so kind to children. Besides, in about 15 years, if they want to see their parents, they'll have to come to Italy. They may as well understand the public transportation at an early age! -

Thank you all again!

Cindi

quote:

Could I also take a SITA bus from CIA to Termini and then go to the Trastevere stop?

SITA is the bus service in Toscano, Veneto, Campania, Puglia, and Basilicata, so no, you can't take it to Termini

You can, however, take COTRAL, the bus company in Lazio. Here is the schedule for the airports. Scroll down for the Ciampino schedules and costs. Be sure to look for the schedule for the festival days. There are more schedule options with the bus to Anagnina to catch the Metro to Termini than there are with the bus directly to Termini. The bus and metro combination is also the lowest cost way into town.

Also, there is the Terravision Shuttle from Ciampino to Termini Info on this web page It costs 8 euros each.

quote:

Also, had thought of the car service, but where is the adventure in that!

You are my kind of traveler!

Bill

I agree with Bill's advice to take a cab. There is a flat rate of €30 from the airport into just about any place in Rome. It is a kind of nice ride as you go through parts of the Appian Way which normal cars can't traverse. And it definitely is officially experiencing Rome with a taxi ride. The taxi stand is right outside the arrival area. You really won't have a problem with the correct charge but when you leave Rome to go back to the airport, you must let the driver you know what's up or he will run the meter.

Although this might not apply to you if you do not travel with one of the low cost airlines, it might be useful information for other people.

I would like to recommend another easy and confortable and relatively inexpensive (6 euros) option: the Terravision Bus.
It leaves from just outside the airport and takes you straight to Termini.