Port of Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia is the most usual starting port for cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean, Greek Islands and Holy Land. Maritime traffic in Civitavecchia is very high, not only for cruise ships but also for ferries departing to the islands, France or even Barcelona with Grimaldi Lines. Still, in terms of equipment, the terminals are very poor and are well behind other less important ports of the Mediterranean.

There is a free (at least so far) shuttle service, which takes you from the ship to the port entrance. From there, if you turn right, the railway station is about ten minutes away.

AIRPORT. The main airport is Fiumicino (actually called Leonardo Da Vinci). It's a big airport and has all the facilities of an international airport.

There are different ways to go to Civitavecchia

·         By taxi (about 100-120 € agreeing price)

·       By train. There is no direct service to Civitavecchia. You have to take a train to Termini and change to another to Civitavecchia.

If you've read our recommendations "first day, first steps" for sure you will be arriving to Rome the day before to avoid problems with air traffic delays etc ... and spend one night in Rome. If so, the cheapest way to reach Rome is the direct train between Rome Termini station and  Fiumicino Airport (half an hour and about 14 € per person). The next day the train from Termini to Civitavecchia takes about an hour and a half (about € 4.50 per person each way the regional).

·       By private transfer. It is very expensive, but they work very well. The journey for two people between Rome and Civitavecchia can cost about 125 €.

HOTELS. Rome is very expensive speaking of hotels and romans are very generous giving stars to their hotels. You’ll get the equivalence between a Roman hotel and a Spanish hotel by lowering the rating of the Roman by one star (a three star hotel in Rome is a two star in Spain).

It's best to look for a hotel near Termini station. The area is not very good at night, but Rome is crowded almost every day so there will be no problems if you do not get into the station at night.

CRUISE TERMINALS. The port of Civitavecchia is divided into two sides:

·        Trainea, Bramante and Antemurale Colombo (11-12-13). These are mostly used by medium size (under the 90,000 GT) unless there is more than one big ship at port

·       Pier 25 or Commerciale. This is where big cruise ships like Celebrity Equinox, Navigator of the Seas, Costa Pacifica…dock. There is a large parking area and a huge tent with check-in counters, but no shops or other facilities.

CELEBRITY SOLSTICE AT PIER 25

 

LINKS
Trenitalia
Interactive map of the port of Civitavecchia
PrivateTransfers

CIVITAVECCHIA

This place with an unpronounceable name [chivitavekia] is the closest port to the city of Rome.Port of call for some cruise ships, Civitavecchia is known for being used by non european companies like RCCL, Princess, Celebrity Cruises... as starting port of most cruise ships operating in the Eastern Mediterranean (Greek islands and routes of ancient civilizations). Italian companies use Savona, Venezia and Genoa as homeports (for Costa Cruises and MSC, respectively)
 

PORT emblematic image

Civitavecchia itself has almost nothing to visit, so the decision,if you have this port in your route, is clear: stay onboard or go to Rome. My opinion is clear, a city like Rome is worth a visit whenever you have the opportunity

OFFICIAL TOURS: All tours of Rome are expensive (around € 100) because it includes transfer from Civitavecchia to Rome (one hour or more). They have the advantage that groups have preference in admission to museums and tickets are included in the price, so you do not have to worry about anything.A good alternative in the official tour list is "Rome on your own" (around the € 30-40 pp), which includes only the Civitavecchia-Rome transfer. The bus drops you at the Gianicolo terminal, a bus parking next to Piazza St. Pedro.

ALTERNATIVES: Taking a train to Termini has the disadvantage that you have to get to the station of Civitavecchia on your own. You can also take a taxi from Civitavecchia to Rome (negotiating the price), but it will be more expensive than previous options.

If you travel with friends you can contact one of the Italian transfer companies. They have fixed price (I used one for the transfer of Rome to the port and airport and they were very professional).

ROME: In Conciliazione there's a Tourist Bus stop with three different lines: red, blue and green. They have similar routes. Tickets can be purchased next to the Bus stop with prices between 20€ -25€.

If you've chosen to go on your own, the following circuit will allow you to walk, have time for shopping, eating at a pizzeria, take a Gelato and visit most of the wonders of Rome, depending on the time available to get back to the bus.

This route will take you through Conciliazione, Castel St. Angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and ...

1 OPTION: Piazza Venezia, Campo di Fiore, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza Navona (shopping or eat late) and Conciliazione.

2 OPTION: Tritone, Piazza Spagna, Piazza del Popolo, Corso, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza Navona (shopping) and Conciliazione.

IF YOU WALK FAST: Try Tritone, Piazza Spagna, Piazza del Popolo, Corso, Piazza Venezia, Campo di Fiore, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza Navona and Conciliazione.

WHERE TO EAT: Near the Trevi Fountain (Il Chianti or Piccolo Buco) or at Piazza Navona (anywhere). Assuming that any site in Rome is expensive I recommend Piccolo Buco (good quality/price relation). It's a family business with friendly people (Crostini, two pizzas and a bottle of chianti for 50€).

SHOPPING: To purchase Vatican or Paul II souvenirs go to Conciliazione, but not even think about a coffee there. It may be the most expensive cappuccino you have taken in your life ... For other souvenirs you'll find in the way to Trevi many shops.

EMBARKING IN CIVITAVECCHIA: Civitavecchia can be reached from Rome by train or taxi from Termini (negotiating price). If you are on time and with little baggage, take a train. Schedule information is internet. Civitavecchia terminal has two parts. Pier 11 and Pier 25 are on opposite sides of the port (if you go on a cruise with large tonnage it'll be most likely at Pier 25). Ask the port authorities to avoid ending up in the wrong side.