Rome is serviced by two commercial airports: Roma Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci (FCO) and Roma Ciampino (CIA).
Because Italians seldom keep things simple, Fiumicino goes by four different initials: FCO, IATA, ICAO, and LIRF. Roma Fiumicino is the larger of the two airports, accommodating 40 million passengers annually, and is located 30km southwest of Rome’s center.
Ciampino, the smaller of the two airports, is situated just 17km south of the center – and yet, paradoxically, its connection to the city is poorer as it is not on the train line.
Getting from Roma Fiumicino to Rome City Centre
The cheapest and most convenient way to get from Fiumicino to Rome is by train. The airport’s train station is just a 5-minute walk from Terminal 3 Arrivals and is serviced by the Leonardo Express and the slower regional FL1 train.
- The Leonardo Express runs directly from Roma Fiumicino to Roma Termini (and back) every 15 minutes from 6:38 a.m. to 11:38 p.m. Tickets cost €14 one-way and the journey time is approximately 32 minutes.
- The slower FL1 Regional Train runs from Roma Fiumicino to Roma Tiburtina, stopping at Roma Ostiense, Roma Trastevere, Roma Tuscolana and Roma Tiburtina. Regional train tickets cost €8 and the journey takes between 30-40 minutes depending on where you stop.
Taxis from Roma Fiumicino to the centre of Rome are fixed at €48 euros. This fare covers four passengers with luggage included. Your driver cannot legally charge you more (though they may still try). If they do, show them this link to the law that establishes the fixed fee, drop the mic, and walk away.
Book a Private Transfer from Roma Fiumicino
The most hassle-free way to get from Roma Fiumicino to your accommodation is to book an airport transfer in advance.
After meeting you in the Arrivals terminal, your driver will get you to Rome’s city center in 30/40 minutes.
Getting from Ciampino Airport to Rome City Centre
The most convenient way to get from Ciampino is by taxi. Fares are fixed at €30 from the airport to the city centre for four people and including luggage.
A shuttle bus also runs between Ciampino Airport and Roma Termini. Tickets cost €6 per passenger and the journey time is 35-45 minutes.
If you’re feeling adventurous you can take a bus to the metro stations Cinecittà or Laurentina – the end of the A and B lines respectively – and take the metro from there.
Hiring a car in Rome
While we wouldn’t recommend getting around Rome in a car, it does give you the most freedom to explore Rome’s outskirts.
Driving is by far the quickest and most convenient way to visit places like Tivoli’s Villa D’Este in the hills east of Rome and the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo in the Alban Hills to the southeast. It also means you can drive down to Naples (in just under 3 hours) and Pompeii or Florence (in just under 4 hours) and Chianti.
