The Skinny on Rome's Termini Station

Getting Oriented

The area surrounding Termini Station has received mixed reviews from travelers. Rising rents and increased police presence inside the station and in the nearby streets have improved the quality of this neighborhood significantly, making it not only a safe and inexpensive place to stay, but also probably the most convenient area to stay in for touring Rome. At Termini Station one can access both Metro Lines, tram connections, Rome sightseeing buses and open top buses, and dozens of bus lines that lead all over Rome.

While there isn’t much offered in the area in terms of Rome sightseeing, the area is full of options on where to eat, shop, or kick back and relax during your stay.

If you are staying in one of the hundreds of hotels near Termini Station, here are some recommendations that have been put together from our local Rome experts.

RESTAURANTS:

Meid in Naples: Via Varese, 54 (Corner of Via Varese and Via del Castro Pretorio)

This is a fairly new restaurant, modern looking and decorate much nicer than any of the other restaurants and trattorias near the station. True to the Neapolitan style, pizzas have a thick crust and toppings are abundant. Prices range from 6 to 10 Euros for a pizza. This place seems to be a lovely and much needed addition to the boring array of restaurants near Termini Station!  

Da Andrea: Via Dei Mille 37-39

This  restaurant has a 12 Euro tourist menu, offering a first course, second course, water and dessert. Their pizzas are quite good, as well as the pasta entrees. Perhaps the best deal here is a panino to go – they make home baked round focaccias and will slice and stuff them with anything you want for between 3 and 5 Euro.

Africa: Via Gaeta, 26

This restaurant has received all kinds of praise from Italian restaurant critics as well as Let’s Go and other Rome travel guides. It offers very affordable Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine in a quiet atmosphere. It’s hard to imagine getting sick of Italian food, but if you are in the mood for something different, try Africa. Meats are generally cooked in thick sauces, and served on top of the African flatbread called ‘ngera along with okra and other vegetables. It is customary to eat with one’s hands, using the bread to “grab” your food.

Average cost: 15 Euros per person for entrée and beer or wine.

Additional Restaurants in Rome

FAST FOOD & RESTAURANTS INSIDE TERMINI STATION

The following fast food restaurants can be found inside Termini Station itself:

McDonalds: On upper level, lower level, and  just outside the Via Giolitti exit of the Station.

Mr. Panino: Good Italian sandwiches served on French baguette style bread

WOK – An Asian fusion inspired fast food restaurant offering noodle dishes, salads, and more.

Chef Express: a cafeteria style express restaurant

Roadhouse Grill: American themed restaurant with sit down service. Food is a bit overpriced and quality mediocre.

SUPERMARKETS:

There are two main supermarkets in the Termini Station area.

Conad: Inside Termini Station on the lower level. This supermarket has recently undergone expansion and now has just about anything one should need. Sometimes long lines can be a problem, especially on weekends and holidays.

SIR: Piazza dell’Indipendenza 24

This is a medium sized supermarket with a full produce, deli, and meat department. Remember to weigh your fruits and veggies or face the wrath of the checkout clerk!

LAUNDROMATS:

The Termini area has several Laundromats, some better than others. You can stay around and use the internet while you wait, or most will let you drop off your stuff and pick it up later when washed, dried, and folded. A few we recommend are:

Via Palestro

Bolle Blue 2: Via Montebello 11

CHANGING MONEY

Changing money anywhere around Termini Station usually means paying higher commissions than necessary. The best options would be going straight to an American Express office (one is located right by the Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna 38) or alternatively to a bank. Change booths either offer a low rate, or take a hefty commission – avoid them if you can. You can find the current exchange rate at http://www.xe.com so that you’ll know what to expect.

PHARMACY

There are several pharmacies located inside Termini Station, on both levels.

In addition, Farmacia Castro Pretorio is located at Via Milazzo 27.

MARKETS & SHOPS

The Via Milazzo market is located along the third and last block of Via Milazzo (heading away from the station). This is a good and cheap source for fruit and veggies as well as a handful of other market items like linens, kitchen items, hosiery,  and inexpensive gift items. The vendors rotate on a continuous basis so you won’t always find the same things.

Aside from the market, the streets surrounding Termini are not a great place for shopping. Your best bet is to head inside the station, where you’ll find chain stores like Benetton, The Body Shop, Sephora, Foot Locker, perfume shops, pharmacies, food,  wine and cheese, and smaller shops selling Rome souvenir type items.

PUBS

Giulio Cesare – Via Castelfidardo 49

This pub is a fun and casual place to have a few drinks and listen to music. Downstairs they have dancing and sometimes live music.

Living Room – Via Solferino 9 (Piazza Indipendenza)

This is a lounge located just downstairs from a large hostel in Rome. The crowd tends to be young, and a decent mix of tourists, expats in Rome, and Romans.

GETTING AROUND ROME FROM TERMINI STATION & PROXIMITY TO MAJOR ROME SITES

Vatican: Bus number 64 or 40 will take you to the St. Peter’s area, while the Metropolitana line A takes you to Ottaviano, close to the Vatican Museums. 

Colosseum: Metro line B for 2 stops will take you right to the colosseum

Borghese Gallery: Metro Line A to Flaminia, then a walk through the Villa Borghese

Catacombs: Metro A to San Giovanni, then bus 218 from Piazza San Giovanni will take you along the Via Appia Antica.

Piazza Venezia: Bus 40 will take you to Piazza Venezia in about 10 minutes.

Trevi Fountain: Metro line A to Barberini

Piazza Navona: Bus 40 the stop: Chiesa Nuova, then just a few blocks on foot.

Campo de Fiori: Bus 40 to Largo Argentina, then just a few blocks on foot.

Hop on-Hop off Rome Sightseeing Bus: The 110 Rome sightseeing tour bus line is based at Termini Station. You can also buy tickets right before getting on.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS AND ROME TOURIST INFORMATION

EMERGENCY POLICE PHONE NUMBER: 118

MEDICAL EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER: 112

FCO airport/flight info: www.adr.it

Train info:  www.trenitalia.it

POLICE

There is a police station located inside Termini Station. For assistance with anything regarding theft, etc, best is to go to them, as they are unlikely to come to you if you call for such things.

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