How to reach the centre of Rome from Fiumicino and Ciampino, the two airports in the Italian capital.

When visiting Rome, the first part of your trip will involve getting from the airport to your accommodation in the city.

You will either be flying into Fiumicino (FCO) or Ciampino (CIA) airports and there are several ways of getting to the centre of Rome.

The choices vary in price and convenience with some more affordable and easier than others.

Rome Fiumicino Airport

It is the hub for Italy’s national airline, ITA Airways, and is one of the busiest airports in all of Europe. There are several ways - taxi, bus, train and private airport transfer - to get into the centre of Rome from the airport which is located 32 km south-west of the city.

Taxi

Taxis in Rome are white and there is a fixed fare of €55, including luggage, from FCO into central Rome (within the Aurelian walls). The city's main taxi companies are 063570 and 060609. Rome taxi cooperative Samarcanda (065551) is known for its excellent customer service. 

Train

The Leonardo Express train, located opposite Terminal 3, is a direct train from the airport to the centre of Rome, running every 15 minutes (at certain times of the day every 30 minutes).

Tickets for the Leonardo Express cost €14 one way (or four tickets for €40 instead of €56) and the train operates from Fiumicino between 05.38 and 00.23, and from Roma Termini between 04.50 and 23.35.

Once in Termini, you can hop on the subways, the Metro A and Metro B lines, or the many buses from outside, that can take you to any destination in the city with a €1.50 ticket.

Another possibility is taking the FL1 train which connects Fiumicino airport to Roma Tiburtina, Fara Sabina, Poggio Mirteto and Orte stations in Rome. This train does not stop at Termini so you can get off at Tiburtina station or at Ostiense station to connect to the Rome metro. The train connects to the following Rome stations: Trastevere (27 mins), Ostiense (31 mins), Tuscolana (41 mins) and Tiburtina (48 mins). Tickets into Rome cost €8.

Keep in mind that the Leonardo Express is convenient if you are going to Termini but if you are going to another area of Rome, the Tiburtina and Ostiense stops are also convenient. Make sure to stamp your ticket in a validation machine before boarding.

Buses

There are multiple bus lines that connect Rome with FCO which all depart at Terminal 3. The SITBusShuttle stops in the Vatican area and at Termini station. The bus runs from 07.45 until 01.15 and tickets can be purchased either on board or online for €7.

Also, the Schiaffini bus departs from Terminal 3 and goes to Termini station. This bus runs every 50 minutes and tickets cost €6.90 one way or €9.90 return. The Fiumicino-Termini route runs between 03.15 and 23.55, while the Termini-Fiumicino route operates from 04.15 to 23.00.

Terravision offers tickets from €6 and has a reduced cost if you book in advance or if you buy the round trip formula. Children up to the age of four do not pay (select the baby option at the time of purchase). Departures are roughly every 30 minutes from 00.30 to 23.30 and the destination is Roma Termini. For the opposite journey, departures are between 04.00 and 19.30.

The fare for the T.A.M. Shuttle Bus starts from €6 one way, with arrival at Termini or Ostiense station. The frequency varies from 30 minutes to an hour and above all it has 24 hour service.

Private airport transfer

A private airport transfer is one of the easiest ways to get to the centre of Rome. You can pre-book your ride before you arrive and a chauffeur driver (NCC) will meet you inside the arrival halls holding a sign with your name on it. For details see FCO website.

Rome Ciampino Airport

Around four million passengers travel through Ciampino each year.

Taxi

There is a fixed rate of €40 from Ciampino airport to the centre of Rome, within the Aurelian walls, accommodating up to four passengers and their luggage. 

Uber

Rome does not offer UberX or the other lower-priced services; it only has UberBLACK, UberLUX and Ubervan. Taking an uber is more expensive than taking a taxi. The airport has wifi so you can book the uber using the app and the average price is about €54 to get to the centre of Rome.

Shuttle Bus

The Terravision shuttle bus is another option to get to Termini, the central station of Rome, from Terminal 3. It is one of the least expensive modes of transportation from the airport with tickets being €4 for one-way and €15 for roundtrip. It runs seven days a week from 05.35 to 23.00 and is approximately a 70 minute ride with 5 stops. You can book your tickets online or at the airport.

The Terravision express bus connects Ciampino with Termini every day. The transfer service has a frequency of more than 10 trips per day. The journey time for each route is approximately 45 minutes. Terravision coaches are equipped with Wi-Fi and the ticket price is €6.

The Schiaffini bus departs from Ciampino and goes to Termini station daily. This bus runs every 40 minutes or so and tickets cost €6.90 one way or €9.90 return. The Ciampino-Termini route runs between 03.25 and 22.30, while the Termini-Ciampino route operates from 00.50/ 04.00 to 22.00.

Train

The regional train is a fast and inexpensive way to get to Termini station in Rome. You will have to take a bus from the airport to get the town of Ciampino, to get into Rome by train. The bus fare from the airport to the Ciampino train is €1.20 and the train fare from Ciampino to Rome is €1.50. The train runs every 30 minutes from 05.30 until 22.30. For more travel information see Trenitalia website.

Private airport transfer  

Airport transfer services into Rome are also available at Ciampino airport. You can pre-book your ride and a driver will be waiting with a sign with your name on it inside the arrival halls. For details see CIA website.

Article by Kayla Green. Photo credit: bellena / Shutterstock.com.