Rome Airport to City Center
The first challenge to face after landing is getting from the Rome airport to city center. However, feel relaxed as numerous options are available to make this challenge easier. A little research and planning on getting from the Rome Airport to City Center can save your time, money, and unwanted stress. Start enjoying your adventurous trip just after landing in the city of wonderful landmarks.
An important thing you must know is that there are two airports in the city, and you must be aware of which airport your plane will be landing at. Fiumicino Airport, which is also known as “aka Leonardo da Vinci International Airport”, is bigger than Ciampino Airport, which is named as “aka Giovan Battista Pastine International Airport”. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to get to the city center from both Rome airports.
Rome Airport to City Center: How to Get from Fiumicino Airport?
Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is the main gateway to Rome, which is located about 34 kilometers southwest of the city. The city center is easily accessible from the airport through various transportation options. The fastest way to get from Rome Airport to City Center is by train, which was introduced in 90 for the Soccer World Cup. The other options should also be considered according to your preferences.
Below is brief information about the cost, travel time, and availability of transportation options at the airport:
| Options | Price | Time | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €19.50 | 30 Minutes | 6:08 AM to 11:23 PM |
| Bus | €7.00 | 45 Minutes | 7:45 AM to 12:40 AM |
| Taxi | €48.00 | 35 Minutes | 24/7 |
| Minibus | €30.00 | 45 Minutes | 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM |
Fiumicino Airport to City Center by Train
The fastest and most convenient way to get from Fiumicino Airport to the city center is the Leonardo Express. The train station is located within the passenger terminal complex and can be reached with a 5 to 10-minute walk. There are signs to guide passengers to the airport’s train station. You can use moving walkways and escalators to approach the station. The station has three platforms, so make sure to confirm the platform for the Leonardo Express departure.
Most travelers use Leonardo Express to get from Rome Airport to city center because of its shorter travel time. The train departs every 15 minutes from 6:08 AM to 11:23 PM. After departure from the airport terminal’s station, the next stop would be Roma Termini Station, which is the central station in Rome. The minimum ticket price is €14, which can go up to €19.50.
Fiumicino Airport to City Center by Bus
The bus is the cheapest and most popular mode of transportation to transfer from the Rome Airport to City Center. Società Italiana Transporti (SIT) runs a shuttle bus service to connect the airport with Roma Termini. An interesting fact is that you can pass through Vatican City if you choose a bus for your airport to city transfer. It’s a wonderful experience, especially for those visiting Rome with kids.
It takes about 45 minutes to reach the city center, and only 1 or 2 buses depart per hour from the airport. The affordable ticket price of €7.00 makes it a perfect option for travelers on a tight budget. A return ticket can also be bought for just €13.00.
Fiumicino Airport to City Center by Shared Minibus
Another good way to get from Fiumicino Airport to city center, which we also used, is a shared minibus. Tourists traveling in groups should prefer a minibus for the airport to hotel transfer. You will be picked up from the meeting point at the airport, which is located near the tourist office. The minibus will drop you off at your hotel in Rome at an average cost of €30.00. A big disadvantage of shared minibus is that it’s not for solo travelers.
Fiumicino Airport to City Center by Taxi
Choosing a cab to transfer from Rome Airport to City Center can be an expensive and inconvenient option, just like we experienced when getting from Paris Airport to City Center. We were aware of the scams done by taxi drivers in Rome. That’s why we didn’t consider a taxi for our airport to hotel transfer. The legal cost of traveling from the airport to the city center by taxi is €48.
Rome Airport to City Center: How to Get from Ciampino Airport?
Ciampino Airport (CIA) is another airport in Rome, which is mainly used by low-cost airlines. It’s located 16 km away in the south of the city center. Despite being closer to the city center, it takes the same amount of time as from Fiumicino Airport to get there due to traffic. It’s a smaller airport than the Fiumicino Airport, and the transportation is also not difficult. Below are the easy ways to get from Ciampino Airport to the city center:
| Options | Price | Time | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €4.50 approximately | 10+15 Minutes | 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM |
| Bus | €6.00 | 40 Minutes | 13 times a day |
| Taxi | €35.00 | 25 Minutes | 24/7 |
Ciampino Airport to City Center by Bus
The cheapest option to travel from Ciampino Airport to the city center is the bus. Due to low air traffic at the airport, the shuttle bus runs only 13 times a day and takes around 40 minutes to reach Termini Station. The one-way ticket is priced at just €7.00 and can be bought online before arrival.
Sightseeing is one of the most important things to do in Rome, and you can enjoy it during a bus ride from Ciampino Airport. We didn’t land at Ciampini Airport, but we know how amazing the sightseeing can be while traveling from the airport to the hotel. We experienced this when we traveled from Copenhagen airport to city center, where our hotel was located.
Ciampino Airport to City Center by Train
Unfortunately, Ciampino Airport isn’t directly connected with the city center by train, but you can still catch the train after a short bus ride. The nearest train station is Ciampino Train Station, which is located about 5 km from the airport. You need to buy a €1.20 bus ticket to reach the Ciampini Railway Station, from where you can continue your journey to Termini Station by train. The train departs every 30 minutes for Roma Termini Station from 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
Ciampino Airport to City Center by Taxi
Cabs are available at every airport in the world, so why wouldn’t they be available at Ciampino Airport? It’s an expensive way to travel, but it’s so comfortable when you arrive after a long flight. The average travel time from Ciampino Airport to the city center by taxi is only 25 minutes, and the cost is around €35.00, which can increase during the peak hours. So, include a taxi ride in your list of things not to do in Rome if you are visiting on a tight budget.
Tips to move from Rome Airport to City Center
- Make sure you know which airport you’ll be landing at.
- Prefer to use the train from Fiumicino Airport and the bus from Ciampino Airport.
- Search for the best places to stay in Rome that are easily accessible from the airport and tourist places.
- Book a hotel in Rome in advance and prefer one of those offering airport pickup service.
- If using a taxi, make sure the meter is on and all of your luggage is loaded.
- Be aware of scammers and keep your luggage safe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion
Getting from any of Rome’s airports to the city center isn’t difficult if you have a little knowledge about the available modes of transportation. The shared minibus is quite reliable and suitable for both solo and family travelers. Solo travelers can use public transport, including buses and trains, to travel from the airport. Taxis are also available, but they are expensive, and there is a chance of being scammed by drivers. We hope this guide will help you a lot in choosing the right option to get from Rome airport to city center.
