Train Stations - Rome Warnings - VirtualTourist.com

Be careful - many of taxi drivers are thieves and con-men (hopefully only the unlicensed ones but the cab we were in had a meter so we thought it was legit).

We were quoted 40 euros for what should have been a 15 euro trip.

In the cab the driver kept grabbing my map that I was looking at away from me while he was driving. He did this, I realized later, so we wouldn't know where we were in relation to our hotel and the station. This was so he could get away with charging more or (as was the case with some folks we met) so he could drop us off no where near our hotel and leave us stranded.

He stopped us in busy traffic and said we had to get out there - that there was no access for automobiles to get to our hotel (a lie).

He then got my wife out and shuffled her across the street. While she was across the street he asked me for 40 euros. I gave him 50 and turned to grab one of my bags. (bear in mind traffic was coming and he was yelling for me to hurry) when I turned back he had a $10 in his hand - I thought this was my change (I wanted to ask to see the meter but he yelled and said must hurry traffic is coming). My wife was across the street - I was trying to keep track of the luggage (and my wife) - traffic was coming - I didn't know exactly where the hotel was - needless to say I was a little disoriented - just the way he wanted me. I reached for the 10 and he said "NO - you only gave me 10". I told him I gave him $50 - he sternly shook his head and pointed to the 10. I was an idiot and gave him the benefit of the doubt - gave him another 50 expecting 20 back - he then pointed across to the traffic - when I turned to look he took off with our money and the change.

We were lucky - we met a couple who experience the EXACT same scam - but had been dumped 3 miles from their hotel. At least our hotel was only a block away.

Also - our hotel clerk was a liar. The hotel asked if we needed a cab to the airport or main train station at the end of our 7 day stay. I knew that there was a train station in Trestaverde that had a train to the airport. She pretended not to know of such a station (I went for a short stroll later and found the station). I even showed her my guide book where it said Tresteverde station and she shook her head and acted like it didn't exist. My only assumption is that the hotels get kickbacks from the corrupt taxis and so they make no money if you leave from the local station (which is actually cheaper and faster). When I told this story to a more honest hotel clerk the next day he shook his head and confided in me that "all of Rome is very corrupt". Very sad.

Rome is a beautiful city but one in which you need to be amazingly vigilant. I have heard many stories of cons and thieves. A few days later I was in London where I felt so much safer. Ironically - London has a much higher violent crime rate then Rome (in Rome they'll rob ya blind but they wont hurt ya - In London they say G'day Governor to ya while the stab ya - just being a little sarcastic). Enjoy but be VERY careful!!!

Train Stations, Rome

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