Rome is a statistically
one of the most safe capitals of the world.
We have almost no experience of violent crimes and people walks around the streets
safe back home at every hour at night.
Children are freely.playing in the pedestrian Piazza and walking back home
from school.
Areas where we do not recommend to walk alone at night
are far suburbs and some streets around Termini train station.
The most common crime is pickpocketing mainly due to
the tourist population. What we recommend it is to be aware of pick-pockets in public transportation,
markets and in queues for museums or any other place of interest. The thieves are often well dressed.
Do not trust groups of beggar children approaching
you holding newspapers which they hold under your face or if someone is seemingly
just asking for directions while you are distracted another one may get your belongings.
Do not leave unattended your belongings in trains or any public space and do
not leave your luggage or valuables visible in a parked car.
We also warn about frauds: sometimes happens that unknown people presents at
your home door asking to pay extra charges for public utilities or condominium fees. Just do not give them any money or bank
check but refer to the Landlord or condominium administrator.
We always suggest to place an electronic alarm in your home even if the burglary
rate it is low but increase in long public holydays and in the summer vacations when family traditionally are away from their
houses.
The ‘Polizia di Stato’ or the ‘ Carabinieri’ are the
first point of contact for reporting the loss or theft of documents, property or money. You will have to fill in a multi-language
form called a ‘Denuncia di reato’ and your copy with their registration stamp you will have to show to the
Consular section of the Embassy if you need a new passport and your insurance company when you will make the claim.
We do not incourage to bring or buy new cars:
not so much for the stilling chance
but because unless you have a private parking space,
other drivers are not very concern when parking or open their doors next to your
car providing scratches and dents.
We suggest to use public transportation and taxi as the car traffic is intense
and a bit chaotic, driving here require a lot of attention also to teen-agers driving scooters, pedestrian crossing not on
the 'strips' or through a green traffic light and to find an available parking takes long time
Taxi rate from the airport are fix: 30 € from Ciampino to the City Centrum and
40 from Fiumicino – Leonardo da Vinci to the City Centrum. Make sure it is an official cab, white, with a light on top,
and a large yellow 'Comune di Roma' shield-shaped sticker on the doors. The taxi fare is indicated on the meter but can be
increased by supplements for night fares or luggage. In case of a dispute over the fare take the number of the taxi, the pickup
and drop-off location. This should then be taken or sent to the Rome Tourist Board (Ente Provinciale per il Turismo di Roma,
Via Parigi 11, 00185, Roma, tel. 488 1851).