A dash of 1940s Italian modernism
Rome Termini is the main station in Rome, and the best station to use for the city centre. It's called Termini not because it's a terminus, but after the nearby Roman Baths of Diocletian, as the Latin for baths is Thermae. There's been a station here since 1863. The original station building was demolished in 1937, but World War 2 delayed reconstruction. The current station was designed in 1947 and inaugurated in December 1950, another fine example of Italian modernism. For more about the station's history see Wikipedia entry for Rome Termini station.
Station overview: Location map
There's a plan of the station at www.gsretail.it/en/network/roma-termini - click EN for English.
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The front of Rome Termini station. Photo courtesy of Pedro Telles...
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The main entrance at the front of the station...
The atrium (Atrio Stazione), inside the main entrance with an impressive roof and cantilevered exterior canopy...
The central concourse (Galleria Centrale) spans the width of the station with exits to the street on either side of the station. A row of retail units separates it from the atrium, and from the platforms concourse next to the platforms - think Swatch, United Colours of Benetton, Nike, Victoria's Secret and so on. Courtesy James Pressler.
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The side of the station, showing the north side entrance into the central concourse. There's a similar entrance on the south side. Courtesy James Pressler.
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The terrace (Terrazza Termini), one floor up from ground level between the central concourse and the platforms concourse - a good place to have a beer or coffee while waiting for your train. Courtesy of James Pressler.
The platforms concourse (Fronte Binari) is next to the platforms, accessed through wide gaps in the row of retail units from the central concourse. A glass partition (visible here) now runs the width of the station, separating the platforms concourse from the platforms. There are several sets of glass doors through it where tickets are checked when accessing the platforms - Automatic ticket gates are now being installed here, you simply scan your ticket QR code on your phone or printout to access the platforms. Courtesy of James Pressler.
The platforms, numbered 1 to 29 from left to right (platforms 25-29 accessed by walking down platform 24, platforms 1est & 2est are accessed by walking 550m along platform 1). You can circulate between all platforms without going through any ticket check. This photo was taken from the platforms concourse, looking through the glass partition. Photo above courtesy of James Pressler, photo below courtesy of @AndyBTravels.
Which platform for your train?
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The station is a terminus with 31 platforms. The Italian for platform or track is binario.
The station departure boards show which platform each train leaves from and there are train departure indicators on every platform. You can easily walk between any two platforms in just 2 or 3 minutes (a few minutes longer if your change involves 1est or 2est, or 25-29), with easy level access between all platforms, concourse and streets outside, so no problems if you have wheeled luggage or a wheelchair.
Platforms 1est and 2est are located a 550m walk along platform 1. These tracks are either side of a new island platform built beyond the end of the main platforms. Do not confuse 1est & 2est with 1 & 2, they are separate platforms. 1est & 2est are usually only used by regional trains, for example to Terni, Orvieto & Chiusi. Allow an extra few minutes to reach your train!
Platforms 1 to 24 are lined up right next to the platforms concourse numbered left to right (northeast to southwest) as you look towards the trains. Most important trains go from these platforms including Frecciarossas, Frecciargentos and Italo trains to Naples, Florence, Milan, Venice also the Nightjet sleeper train to Salzburg, Munich & Vienna.
Platforms 25 to 29 are set back from the concourse and accessed by walking 450m along platform 24.
See the plan of the station & platforms at www.romatermini.com - click ENG for English then click Maps.
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Ticket check
There is a partition between the concourse and platforms which you can see the photos above, with several entry points at which there is a simple ticket check. It's mainly intended to control access for non-travelling undesirables, I generally find that anything vaguely ticket-like waved in their general direction gets you through.
Automatic ticket gates are being installed to replace the manual check, when these go live you'll simply scan your ticket QR code on your phone or printout to access the platforms.
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Check your departure platform on your phone
Stay one step ahead! If you go to www.viaggiatreno.it/infomobilita/index.jsp on your phone and select Roma Termini you'll see a list of departures with planned platform number (Binario previsto) for Trenitalia trains (but not Italo trains) even before the actual platform (Binario reale) is announced on the station departure boards. Just remember that they can sometimes switch platforms on the day.
Alternatively, you can see actual departure platforms for all trains including Italo by selecting Roma Termini at www.rfi.it/en/stations/station-page/quality-services/Public-information/Live-departures-Arrivals-Monitor.html.
Changing trains in Rome
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Changing trains at Rome Termini is straightforward. Being a terminus, there is easy level access between all platforms, you can walk between platforms around the back of the buffer stops without passing through any ticket check. It only takes a few minutes to change trains, even if you were changing from platform 1 to platform 24, a few minutes more if the change involved platforms 1est/2est or 25-29. Just make sure you allow for any delay to your first train - if a booking website suggests a connection, it will be a reasonable one. If connecting into a sleeper train, allow much more time.
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When connecting between two Trenitalia trains (for example, a Regionale into a Frecciarossa high-speed train) as long as the scheduled connection is over 15 minutes, you are entitled to later onward travel at no charge if a delay means a missed connection. Online systems will only suggest valid connections. See Trenitalia staff at the help desk if you need reserved seats on a later train. However, that does not apply if you were connecting from a Regionale into a privately-run Italo high-speed train as you'd then be using two different companies.
Free WiFi
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The station has free WiFi. Select the WiFiStation, network and on https://portale.wifistation.it either sign in with a Facebook or Twitter account or enter your mobile number to have a verification text sent to you (this works with international numbers including UK +44 mobiles).
Left luggage, ATMs, safety & security
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Rome Termini has a left luggage office (deposito bagagli) located on platform 24 if you need to leave your bags, for prices & opening times see the left luggage page. Follow for the signs to the deposito bagagli.
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There are ATMs in various locations around the station.
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The station is perfectly safe at any time of day or night, it has CCTV and security staff on duty. But be aware of your surroundings, as in any busy public place.
Ticket office & ticket machines
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The Trenitalia ticket office is in the atrium, in front of you when you walk in through the main entrance. It's often quicker to use the Trenitalia self-service ticket machines dotted around the station which can sell high-speed & mainline tickets with reservations and regional tickets. They have a touch screen with English language facility.
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Italo has its own clearly-marked ticket kiosk in the middle of the atrium, and there's a larger Italo ticket office on the atrium to the right of the main Trenitalia one.
Executive & Club class lounges
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Trenitalia has a Freccialounge for Executive class & Salottino passengers on its Frecciarossa trains, located on platform 1, open daily early until late.
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Italo has a lounge for Club class passengers on its Italo trains, located on the first floor in the retail block which separates the atrium & central concourse. You can use it from 3 hours before your train departs. In Smart & Prima classes, you may be able to add lounge access when you buy your ticket for an extra €7-€10.
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Italiarail lounge. US-based Trenitalia ticketing agency Italiarail has a lovely spacious lounge on platform 25, accessed by walking along platform 24. It offers complimentary espresso, tea, hot chocolate & snacks, afternoon aperitifs and fast free WiFi. Lounge access is free and unlimited if you buy an Italiapass when buying your Trenitalia train tickets at www.italiarail.com or $20 for one-time entry. More lounge info at www.italiarail.com/italiapass/lounge.
Trenitalia's Freccialounge. Courtesy of @AndyBTravels.
The Italiapass lounge.
Somewhere to eat, drink or buy supplies
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There are many and various eateries inside & outside the station. For a coffee, there are cafés Acafe in the atrium and Moka Cafe on the platforms concourse. There's a MacDonald's between the atrium and central concourse, and a Roadhouse Grill near platform 1.
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To get away from the hustle and bustle of the station, there is a selection of bars and trattorias on the Terrazza Termini (terrace) one floor up from ground level between central concourse and platforms concourse, see the photo above. If you have any other suggestions in or near the station for a decent meal, coffee or beer let me know.
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There is a Coop minimarket a little way along platform 1. Alternatively, the Mercato Centrale is an artisan food & drink market, some way along platform 24, open 8am till midnight 7 days a week - good for pizza slices & a bottle of wine to take on the train!
Hotels near Rome Termini
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There are many hotels near Rome Termini. However, an affordable top choice with a 9/10 review rating is the Hotel Diocleziano, a 5-minute 400m walk from Roma Termini's main entrance, set in a 19th century building next to the Terme di Diocleziano ancient Roman baths.
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An upmarket option near the station is Hotel Le Petit, an 8-minute 700m walk from the station, also with great reviews.
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Other hotels near the station with good or great reviews include The Hive Hotel, Dream Station, The Republic Hotel.
Local transport: Walking, metro, taxis
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Walking: Rome Termini is in the city centre. From Rome Termini it's a 20 minute 1.8 km walk to the Roman Forum, a 21 minute 1.8 km walk to the Colosseum, a 22 minute 1.8 km walk to the Trevi Fountain, a 25 minute 2.1 km walk to the Spanish Steps, or a 1h04 4.9 km walk to St Peter's Square and the Vatican. See city map.
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Metro: Rome has a metro which links Stazione Termini to St Peters Square & the Vatican museum (Line A), and to the Colosseum & Circus Maximus (Line B). See the official Rome transport website www.atac.roma.it. This is the easiest way to travel between the station and the sights. There are escalators down to the metro between the platforms concourse & central concourse, and at the north end of the central concourse, all clearly marked with an 'M' symbol. There's also a Metro entrance on the forecourt.
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Regional trains to the Vatican: Trenitalia regional trains link Rome Termini with Rome San Pietro station every half hour, journey time 19 minutes. San Pietro station is 11 minutes walk from St Peter's Square and the Vatican. The metro is more frequent, but if you have a Eurail or Interrail pass you can use these local trains free of charge, the metro isn't covered by your pass. You can check train times at www.trenitalia.com. See map showing San Pietro station location.
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Taxis: For a taxi fare calculator see www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Rome-Italy. Taxis are usually plentiful outside the station.
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Hop on, hop off tour buses: The main stop for these is on the station forecourt a little way from the station entrance.
The metro links Rome Termini with the Colosseum, Circus Maximus and the Vatican...
More information
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There's more information at www.romatermini.com.
Other stations in Rome
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Rome Ostiense is located in the southwest of the city, again considerably further away from all the city centre sights than Rome Termini. Use Rome Termini if you can
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Rome Tiburtina is a modern station used by many high-speed trains, some on their way into or out of Roma Termini, some by-passing Rome Termini en route between Milan or Florence and Naples. It's located in the northeast of the city, considerably further away from all the city centre sights than Rome Termini. Use Rome Termini if you can.
