Visiting & Touring Rome From Civitavecchia
While Civitavecchia is a major Mediterranean departure cruise port it is also a port of call for many cruise ships with itineraries that include Rome. While the most convenient way to tour Rome is booking ships excursions, going off on your own can not only save you a lot of money. but can also leave you with more time to explore. The trains and metro will get you into Rome in a little over half the time of taking a cruise ship tour bus.
The best option after a cruise tour is the Civitavecchia Express train service. In 2024 booking has been included on the Italian train service Trenitalia (Web Link HERE) and service has been expanded to even more train times with reservations including a bus from the port to the Civitavecchia train station.
How To Book A Reservation With Trenitalia
Start by accessing the Trenitalia web site (above for English). Select the departure as Civitavecchia Porto and the destination as a Roma station. For express service you should select either Roma Ostiense, Roma S. Peitro or Roma Termini with Ostiense being the best central location. Next select the date you’re in Civitavecchia and choose a departure time. Tickets can be round trip or one way and have several classes. Currently there is a Family and Friends special at a discount for groups up to six people. Select a payment type and after you are issued a reservation you will need to check in (a formality you can do right away). Print and save on your phone and that’s it!
This train costs around €15 for a roundtrip ticket. The first train departs from Civitavecchia before 09.00 am with express service to Roma San Pietro, Roma Ostiense and Roma Termini arriving from 10.00 am on. The last return express train departs from Roma Ostiense at 4.30 pm and arrives in Civitavecchia around 5.20 pm and includes the return bus to the port.
There is also additional excellent train service connecting Civitavecchia to Rome. Trains run about twice an hour throughout the day. Trains from Civitavecchia travel into the Termini in Rome (the main train station) with stops at Tuscolana, Ostiense, Trastevere, and San Pietro. Many are double-deck regional commuters with room to set luggage if you’re going to spend some time in Rome. Fares are about €7 to €9 per person one way. There are a few faster InterCity trains between Civitavecchia and Roma Termini costing under €12 each but usually they do not stop at Tuscolana, Trastevere, or San Pietro.
If you feel like walking from the port shuttle bus stop the station in Civitavecchia is a pleasant walk of a dozen or so blocks (allow fifteen to twenty minutes). Exit the port and turn right at the first intersection. Follow the street to where it ends, turn right, walk down to the McDonalds and go left, cross the street and walk along the main waterfront street to the train station.
Train schedules that are easy to understand are posted in the station and tickets can be purchased at automated vending machines in the station. There is also a maned ticket window but it’s unlikely they will speak English. After purchasing tickets remember the ticket MUST be validated for use before boarding the train, punch the ticket in one of the little green and white machines around the platform area. There can be serious fines for being on a train and not having validating a ticket.
Civitavecchia To Rome Tours
Most tour buses into Rome, both “Rome On Your Own” or a guided tour will make the first stop at Saint Peters. If you are taking a train the recommendation is to get off at the San Pietro station (Saint Peters). From there you can visit Saint Peters, the Vatican Museum, switch onto the Rome Metro or head off to explore the city on your own. Check out our “Seeing Rome In Eight Hours” guide HERE.
On returning to Civitavecchia the entrance to the port is only a dozen or so block walk. (Exit the train station and go right.) When you get to the McDonalds turn right and go uphill following the street around to the left. A few blocks further along is the ports free shuttle bus area on your left. The free shuttle buses to each ship are clearly marked for your ship.
Taxis in Civitavecchia should be used with caution as they are notorious for being expensive. Make sure you understand the fare before heading out.
The Intentional Travelers 