Getting from Fiumicino Airport to Rome is actually very easy. Whether you are planning a quick getaway, a business trip or a romantic weekend in the Italian capital, you can find various means of transportation from Fiumicino Airport to Rome.
I travel to Rome on a regular basis – in fact, I was there last week – and I have used all modes of transport to travel from Fiumicino Airport to Rome. For example, last week I was meant to take the train to get into town, but an outage along the line meant that no trains were traveling, so I had to opt for a taxi.
Depending on what time your flight lands in Fiumicino Airport, how much luggage you have, how experienced a traveler you are and – quite importantly – your budget, your needs will vary, and it’s always better to go prepared to avoid any issue.
In this post, I will give you an overview of all the options available for those traveling from Fiumicino Airport to central Rome. If you want to find out which way of getting from the airport to the city is most suitable to your travel needs, continue reading. I will share everything you need to know.
If you are traveling to Rome soon, my post The Best Things To Do In Rome will guide you on the best activities and attractions in the city.
How To Get From Fiumicino Airport To Rome City Center
Take the train from Fiumicino to Rome city center
The train from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Rome is definitely how to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city center, especially if you don’t have much luggage to carry around.
Trains depart at regular intervals from the train station in Fiumicino Airport, which is located by Terminal 3. There are two different kinds of train going to Rome.
Let me highlight the options below.
Leonardo Express Train
The Leonardo Express Train connects Fiumicino Airport to Roma Termini Station, the main train station in Rome, in just 32 minutes and with no intermediate stops. The train stops on platforms 23 or 24 in Termini Station.
From Termini Station, you can use Metro lines A and B and the public buses to reach the rest of the city.
The Leonardo Express Train runs every 15 minutes (except at night, when it runs every half hour), the first one departs from Fiumicino Airport at 5:38 am and the last one at 11:53 pm.
The first train from Rome Termini Station to Fiumicino Airport departs at 4:50 am; the last one leaves at 11:05 pm.
Leonardo Express tickets cost €14 one way for adults. The train is free for children under the age of 4, and children aged 4 to 12 can travel for free with a paying adult.
The Leonardo Express Train is accessible to travelers with limited mobility. Seats on the train are not assigned. The train is equipped with (accessible) toilets and space where you can stow your luggage. Dogs on a leash and cats in their carrier are also allowed on the train.
You can buy Leonardo Express tickets online or directly once you land. You will find vending machines right outside the baggage claim area, at the arrivals, and there will be some also scattered around the train station, where you’ll also find a kiosk.
If you buy tickets for the express train in advance, you have to select a departure time. You can’t get on an earlier train (you may get a fine if you do so) but you can board a train that departs after the one you’d originally selected (perfect if your flight is late).
Regional Train
The other train from Fiumicino Airport to Rome is a “regionale” train that takes longer, and makes stops at various intermediate stations including Trastevere and Ostiense and terminates in Fara Sabina (an excellent option if you are staying in one of the agriturismo in the Sabina area). At times the trains go as far as Orte.
The last stop for night trains is either Roma Ostiense or Tiburtina Station.
The regional train is the best option if you want to reach the entire Southern, Eastern and Northern quadrants of Rome. You will easily find seats once you get on, as the airport is literally the departing point, but keep in mind it tends to get packed with students and commuters once it gets into Rome.
This train does not go to Termini Station, but you can get there by metro if you get off at Ostiense. You will have to transfer to Roma Piramide metro station and hop on Metro Line B.
The train takes 32 minutes to travel to Roma Ostiense.
If you get off at Trastevere, the train takes less than 30 minutes.
The train takes 48 minutes to reach Tiburtina.
The first regionale train departs at 5:57 am, and the last one at 11:27 pm. The train leaves roughly every 15 to 30 minutes, with less frequent trains in the early morning, in the evening and on Sundays.
Tickets for the regionale train from Fiumicino Airport to Rome costs €8 one way, with no reserved seats.
You can buy tickets online or directly at the station. If you have a physical ticket, you must validate the ticket on the machines on the platform before getting on the train.
Take a taxi from Fiumicino to Rome
A taxi from Fiumicino Airport to Rome can be a convenient and fast way to get from the airport to the city, especially if you have luggage. The great thing about it is that there are fixed rates, so you don’t need to worry about scams – as long as you get on an official taxi.
A taxi from Rome Fiumicino Airport to city center costs €50 and you can pay by card or cash. Don’t pay anything over that price.
If you want to book your taxi, you can use the app MyTaxi. There is a MyTaxi waiting area just outside Terminal 1 where your driver can pick you up.
Watch out for drivers that offer you a ride inside the arrivals terminal. Those are not official taxis. Official taxis are white, and you will find them waiting for passengers outside the main terminal, where you can join the line of people waiting for one. Any other car, is probably illegal (or, as we say here in Italy, “abusivo”) and likely to be a scam.
For more scams in Italy, read this post.
Another thing to keep in mind is that depending on the time of day traffic can be really bad in Rome and the surroundings, and you may get stuck on the Grande Raccordo Anulare, the main highway connecting the Fiumicino Airport to Rome.
Because of that, I don’t recommend taking a taxi from Rome Fiumicino Airport to city center during rush hour – in the morning, when locals are going to work and kids are going school, and in the late afternoon when they are coming back from work.
You may also get stuck in traffic if there are roadworks (which are quite common) or accidents as well!
All in all, I recommend traveling by train if you intend to travel during rush hour.
On the other hand, traveling from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city center by car is a great introduction to the city. I have done it many times, and the views can be stunning, depending on the road followed by your driver. Of course, the itinerary will vary depending on your final destination in Rome.
Last time I visited Rome (last week!) there was an outage along the train line, so I had to get a taxi to the city center. Along the way, I could spot the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana and San Pietro e Paolo Church in the EUR district. The car then drove past the Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura in the Ostiense District, and by Rome’s Pyramid of Cestius.
From there, it drove by the Circus Maximus and the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum.
Get a transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Rome
The train is perfect if you travel light, but what if you have lots of luggage and don’t know your way around town? In that case, I recommend using one of Rome airport transfers.
A transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Rome may be cheaper than a taxi (this isn’t necessarily the case, and it depends on what you get).
There are various advantages to booking a transfer from the airport to the city.
First of all, you can pay for the transfer in advance, from the comfort of your home, so you don’t have to worry about taking your wallet out, getting cash or having to exchange money at the airport (though as I have said before, taxis now usually accept cards).
Another great thing about booking a private transfer is that the driver will be waiting for you at the terminal and help you with your luggage. Furthermore, he will know where to take you – taking away the hassle of having to communicate the address you want to reach and of having to break the language barrier.
Rome airport transfers are perfect for small groups, so that you can share the costs, and you can even pick the kind of vehicle you want.
Here are the best private transfers from Fiumicino Airport to Rome:
Welcome Pickups – this is my go-to company any time I wish to book a private transfer.
Fiumicino Airport to Rome private transfer – this transfer is perfect for a small group as it becomes quite convenient.
Fiumicino to Rome private transfer in luxury vehicle – You’d be surprised it’s actually cheaper than you think, and perfect if you want some extra comfort.
Fiumicino to Rome private transfer – This transfer is perfect for a group of up to 3 persons, and they also have a GPS Visirun SPA system so the driver is regularly updated about your arrival time (so you don’t have to worry about letting him know if your flight is delayed).
Get on the bus
There are no public buses going from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city center – that’s because the airport is actually located in a different city (Fiumicino). However, there are some excellent and very budget friendly private bus options. Buses depart from the small bus station located west of Terminal 3.
The most reliable company running buses from Fiumicino Airport to Rome is Terravision. Terravision bus tickets cost €6 one way.
The trip lasts between 45 minutes and one hour and the bus makes several stops in the city center, including one near the Vatican and one at Termini Station. There are regular departures throughout the day.
Though the Terravision bus is cheap and easy, the bus may get stuck in traffic and often doesn’t leave until full. With the amount of people flying to Rome Fiumicino every day, this is hardly an issue. But if you are in a rush, this simply isn’t a good solution.
You can buy tickets online in advance, or directly when getting on the bus.
Another service is the SIT Bus Shuttle, which is as reliable as the Terravision, and also stops near the Vatican (on Via Crescenzio 2). This is by far the most convenient and fastest service to the Western quadrant of Rome and for all those staying near the Vatican. There are departures every 20 to 30 minutes.
Tickets for the SIT bus cost €7 and can be bought on GetYourGuide.
Alternatively, there’s also this SIT bus roundtrip ticket option sold on Tiqets which includes a 72 hours public transportation pass, which makes it particularly convenient.
Another company is Rome Airport Bus by Schiaffini, with buses that starts their rounds at 5:50 am until midnight, and regular departures throughout the day. A one way ticket costs €6,90 (though they sometimes have special offers for online purchases and it can as cheap as €5,90). Tickets can be bought online.
Some Roma passes include one way transportation to or from the airport.
Use Uber
Despite taxi drivers telling you differently, and although most Italians don’t actually use it, Uber is legal in Italy, and you can use Uber to travel from Fiumicino Airport to the city center of Rome.
If you decide to use Uber, you will have several options to pick from.
The first and cheapest Uber option would be a white taxi – that’s it, a regular white taxi as any other you’d find at Rome Fiumicino Airport. This is available for a group of no more than four travelers.
If there’s only four of you, you can also pick a black or luxury car, for which the price ranges between €67 and €110 – though occasionally there are special offers and you may get 50% off.
Larger groups of up to 6 travelers can opt for the Uber van, which costs around €95.
To be honest, Uber prices are such that I can’t see why anyone would go through the hassle of using Uber to travel from Fiumicino Airport to the center of Rome. It’s much cheaper and easier to get in line for a taxi or – if you really want a car waiting for you – to book a private transfer.
How To Get From Fiumicino Airport To Rome FAQs
Which are Rome Airports?
Rome is served by two airports.
Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Airport is the main airport. It’s where all the main carriers fly to, as well as some budget airlines, and it’s located about 32 km (19.9 miles) from Rome, near a small town called Fiumicino. If you are flying from the United States, Canada, Australia, Africa or Asia that’s where your flight will be landing.
Ciampino G. B. Pastine Airport is served by budget airlines and connects the Italian capital to a variety of cities in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. The airport is actually much closer to Rome city center, but there are less options to travel between Ciampino and the city.
Is Leonardo da Vinci Airport the same as Fiumicino?
It is. The official name of Fiumicino Airport is Leonardo da Vinci, or, officially, Aeroporto Internazionale Leonardo Da Vinci (Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in English). The IATA Code for the airport is FCO.
How far is Fiumicino Airport from Rome city center?
The distance from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city center is roughly 32 km (19.9 miles). The airport is closer to a small coastal town called Fiumicino – about 3 km (1.8 miles).
Depending on how you decide to travel, getting from the airport to the city can take you between 35 minutes and one hour.
What’s the cheapest way to get from Rome to Fiumicino Airport?
The cheapest way to get from Rome to Fiumicino Airport is the Terravision Bus that departs on a regular basis. A one way ticket only costs €6.
Is there public transport from Fiumicino Airport to Rome?
Fiumicino Airport is very well connected to Rome city center, and you have various ways of traveling between the two – but the Rome metro is not one of them. Furthermore, there are no public buses connecting the airport to the city, but just buses and shuttles run by private companies.
The only public transportation option to travel from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city center is the train. You can opt for a slow, regional train or for the Leonardo Express train.
What’s the best way to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome?
The best way to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome is the Leonardo Express Train. This is the fastest way of traveling between the center of Rome and the airport, and has the best cost-benefit ration (it’s conveniently priced, and very easy).
Further Readings
Make sure to read my posts:
- The Perfect Itinerary To See Rome In 2 Days
- A Fantastic Itinerary For 4 Days In Rome
- A Wonderful Itinerary For 5 Days In Rome
- A Great Itinerary For A Fabulous Week In Rome
- 31 Incredible Places To Explore Rome Off The Beaten Path
- How To Get Tickets To The Colosseum
- How To Get St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets And Skip The Line
- How To Get Tickets To The Sistine Chapel
- The Best Roma Pass Options And How To Make The Most Of It
- 20 Great Day Trips From Rome
- All The Food In Rome You Should Eat: 25 Delicious Dishes
- Where To Get The Best Views Of Rome
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Very helpful! Thank you!