Is it practical and safe to visit the Vatican alone?

Question

I want to visit the Vatican, but I don't want to go with a group.

Is it rational to purchase an air ticket to Rome and just fly there without professional assistance?

I've been told that people will approach me in Rome and ask if I want to rent a room for lodging. Is this reasonable safe and can I depend upon it?

Also, can I just wander around the Vatican City on my own siteseeing tour?

Answer 1

Absolutely. I did it and wouldn't have it any other way!

That is in regards to going to the Vatican on your own.

As for a place to stay, it is best to organize that before getting to Rome otherwise you will pay way too much!

Answer 2

Why shoudnt be?

Answer 3

beware of priests, they're all over the place

Answer 4

Lots of people visit the Vatican on their own. However, you can't just wander around Vatican City. There are public areas like St Peter's and the museums and there are areas that are not open to the public. It's pretty obvious where the limits are. There are lots of guidebooks you can use for a self-escorted tour.

However, if you think counting on finding a room from a stranger on the street in another country is a good idea, you should never be in public unescorted. There are hotel reservations services in the airports and main train stations that will help you find a place to stay, but you're much better off with a reservation. http://www.venere.com/ is a reliable site for hotels here in Italy.

Answer 5

You can visit Rome alone, just buy a good guide.

Please take my advice: don't trust people who offer you an accomodation at the moment you arrive.

Book the hotel or whatever you want in internet.

To visit the vatican you can spend one or two days. If you are going to stay longer you can plan to visit a number of churces and monument just in the center of Rome (near the Vatican)

Answer 6

There are two parts to my answer:

1.  Of course you can purchase a ticket to Rome and fly there without professional assistance. Many airlines fly into Rome from the U.S. and from the airport there you can take a taxi into Rome. The Vatican itself is quite safe, though much of the Vatican is off-limits to visitors. St. Peter's and the public areas of the Vatican are safe enough, though, but as in all public places, you still must be aware of your surroundings.

2.  I would NEVER, EVER accept accommodations from someone on the street. Rome is full of hotels and there should be no problem finding a room no matter what your price range is (though Rome is quite expensive most of the time). If you are concerned about finding a room, I would definitely look into that prior to leaving the U.S. Many of the larger travel companies (Expedia, Travelocity) all have options of finding hotels in Europe and you can search there for hotels in Rome.  I have been to Rome many, many times and have never been approached by someone offering a room, but if I had been I would never accept it. I am sure there are honest people in the world, but do you want to chance it?

Sightseeing around Rome itself is not difficult - most places can be seen by just walking. There is a lot of walking involved, but it is worth it and definitely not difficult. Have a great trip if you decide to go!

Answer 7

If you want to do it you should be able to. If you are flying into rome most people speak english so you shouldn't have a problem. I live in Italy and I've traveled all over Rome and Italy on my own and I very rarely use a tour company and when I started I didn't know much english and it worked out well. British airways www.britishairways.com usually has really cheap tickets to rome. People in rome may approach you if you look lost or confused and because you look like an american. I would try to book hotels before you go if possible I usually use www.selectitaly.com they have cheap rooms and most of them are nice. Then when you get to the airport you can either get a taxi or car, etc. The vaction you can do on your own just get there really early in the morning because the line gets really long and they close at like 3pm for rest and if you are in line and they close you are just out of luck. Just becareful in Rome pickpocketers are really bad and if you are by your self and you lose everything you may have some really issues.