How to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome City Center

You’ve just landed at Fiumicino Airport, passed through customs, walked outside the terminal, and realized you need to get to the Rome city center. So, what’s the best way to get there?

There are a few different options, from the cheapest to the most expensive, and the best choice really depends on your budget, arrival time, luggage, and where you’re staying in Rome.

Where Is Fiumicino Airport?

Fiumicino Airport is about 30 kilometers, or 19 miles, from Rome. It’s the largest airport in Italy and the main airport for international arrivals into Rome.

Most people call it Fiumicino Airport, but the official name is Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport. It’s located in the small coastal town of Fiumicino, just outside Rome.

The airport is quite large but very well organized. If you’re arriving from overseas, you’ll most likely arrive at Terminal 3, which is the international arrivals terminal.

There are three main ways to get from Fiumicino Airport to the Rome city center: Bus, train, or car.

Getting into Rome City Center by Bus

The bus is the cheapest way to get into downtown Rome from Fiumicino, but it’s also usually the slowest.

A bus ride from the airport into Rome typically takes about 50 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. Most buses drop passengers at Termini Station, Rome’s main train station.

Some bus companies make stops between the airport and Termini, while others operate nonstop. The bus area is easily accessible from the terminal. As you exit, make a right, keep walking down, follow the signs, and you’ll see the buses lined up and waiting for passengers.

Several bus companies operate between Fiumicino Airport and Rome. Rates are generally similar, and tickets are usually around €7 one-way from the airport to Rome.

You can book your ticket in advance or buy it upon arrival. If you’re tired and jet-lagged after a long flight, buying in advance can make things easier.

If you take the bus, your bags will be stored in the luggage hold underneath the bus.

The bus is slower than the train, but it has one major advantage: many buses run very late at night or very early in the morning. That makes it a useful option if you land at an odd hour.

Getting into Rome City Center by Train

The next least expensive option is the Leonardo Express train.

You might wonder why it’s called the Leonardo Express and not the Fiumicino Express. That’s because the airport’s official name is Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport, even though most people simply call it Fiumicino.

The train station at the airport is very conveniently located just outside the arrivals area, and there are plenty of signs to guide you there.

A one-way ticket between Fiumicino Airport and Rome Termini Station is €14 on the Leonardo Express. The trains run frequently, and the nonstop ride between the airport and the city center takes about 32 minutes. Basically, you get on at the airport and get off at Termini, right in the city center.

You can purchase your ticket in advance through the Trenitalia app, at a kiosk inside the airport, or at a kiosk inside the train station. You can also go to the ticket counter inside the station, though the lines there can sometimes be very long.

You don’t really need to purchase Leonardo Express tickets in advance because they don’t sell out. But the benefit of booking ahead is simple: it’s one less thing to do after getting off a long flight when you’re tired and just want to get on the train.

If you buy your ticket online, you don’t need to validate it. If you buy your ticket at a kiosk or ticket office and it has a QR code, scanning it at the gate validates the ticket. If your ticket doesn’t have a QR code, you’ll need to validate it at the machines before getting on the train. I strongly recommend buying your ticket online to avoid any problems.

The train is basic and no-frills, but it’s comfortable. There aren’t assigned seats, so just look for a free seat and sit down. There’s plenty of room to store bags above your seat, between seats, or near the entrance of each car. The train has air conditioning, and there are bathrooms if you need them. Some seats also have power plugs, but check once you’re on the train.

Since the ride is only 32 minutes, it goes by quickly.

Other Train Options from Fiumicino Airport

The Leonardo Express is not the only train that leaves from Fiumicino Airport. Other trains go to Rome, but they don’t stop at Termini Station. Instead, they go to stations such as Trastevere or Roma Tiburtina.

If your hotel isn’t near Termini or the historic city center, one of these other trains might make more sense. If you’re traveling from Fiumicino Airport to Florence or Venice, you’ll usually need to connect at Termini Station. There are a few trains during peak season that allow you to go from the airport to Termini and then continue to Florence with no changes, but for the most part, you’ll probably need to change trains at Termini.

If you’re connecting to another train, I suggest buying changeable tickets. Airport delays, lost luggage, and flight delays can happen. With a changeable ticket, you can adjust your onward train to Florence or Venice without losing your money. It’s good insurance just in case.

Getting into Rome City Center by Car

The third option is getting a car from Fiumicino Airport to the Rome city center. If you want to use a car, you have two main options: a regular white taxi or an NCC car, the Italian equivalent of a private town car or limousine service.

Taking a White Taxi from Fiumicino Airport

Rome has a fixed taxi rate from Fiumicino Airport to the city center. At the time of writing, the official rate between Fiumicino Airport and Rome city center, in either direction, is €55.

So, if you’re a group of four, taking a taxi can be more convenient than paying €14 per person for the Leonardo Express.

One very important thing to remember is that the fixed rate applies only to locations within the Aurelian Walls. If your hotel or B&B is outside the Aurelian Walls, the driver will turn on the meter, and you’ll pay whatever the meter shows.

Make sure to ask the driver in advance, before getting into the car, how much you’ll pay.

To get a taxi from Fiumicino Airport, simply follow the taxi signs, get in line, and wait for the first available car. Usually, there are plenty of taxis, and the line moves fairly quickly.

There’s usually someone organizing the line and getting passengers into cars on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re a group of four or have a lot of luggage and need a bigger car, they’ll put you in a larger vehicle, but you may need to wait a few extra minutes.

Official white taxis have the rates posted on the outside of the car, so make sure to check that.

Also, double-check that the taxi is from the Comune di Roma and not from the town of Fiumicino. If the taxi is from Fiumicino, Rome’s official city taxi rates may not apply, and you may pay by the meter instead.

Taking an NCC Car from Fiumicino Airport

The second type of car service is an NCC car, the Rome equivalent of a private transfer or limousine service.

If this is what you want to do, you must arrange it in advance. Arriving in Rome and hoping to find an NCC car on the spot isn’t a good idea. You may not find one available, or you may end up spending much more than you should.

This is extremely important: if someone approaches you at the airport offering to take you into Rome, say no, thank you.

These are unauthorized drivers, and you don’t know what you’re going to get. You also don’t know what price you’ll be charged. They may tell you one price upfront and then charge you a different amount at the end. They may also not have proper taxi insurance, and if something happens, you don’t want to take that risk.

Rates for NCC cars are higher than those for white taxis, but this can be a great way to get into Rome, especially if you’re traveling with more than two people or have a lot of luggage.

It’s also nice to have peace of mind. When you book an NCC in advance, someone will be waiting for you when you exit customs. They’ll take you to the vehicle, help with your luggage, drive you directly to your destination, and you’ll know the price before you even land in Rome.

Do You Need to Tip the Taxi Driver?

This is a question that comes up a lot. The quick answer is no. Whether you take a white taxi or a private NCC car, you don’t need to tip the driver.

Tipping has become more common in Italy over the last few years, driven by foreign tourists, but it’s neither necessary nor mandatory. If the driver was very nice or helped you with a lot of bags, and you want to tip, go ahead and give them a €5 bill.

Renting a Car at Fiumicino Airport

At Fiumicino Airport, you’ll find all the major car rental companies. However, I only recommend renting a car if you’re planning to start a road trip from Fiumicino. If you’re staying in Rome, you don’t want a car. But why?

• Traffic. Traffic in Rome can be brutal, and if you’re not used to it, it can be a real challenge.
• Navigation. Streets in Rome can be very confusing, especially in the city center.
• Parking. Street parking is often limited, and you might have to circle around for quite a while before you spot an available spot.

And the biggest reason of all is the infamous ZTL, or limited traffic zones. Most of the historic city center is inside these ZTL areas, and driving there without a permit can cost you a lot of money in fines.

So, avoid driving in Rome.

If you’re planning to rent a car when you leave Rome, do it at the end of your Rome stay. You can rent a car at Termini Station and start your road trip from there.

Land in Rome Without the Stress

Getting from Fiumicino Airport to the Rome city center is straightforward once you know your options.

The bus is usually the cheapest choice, but it takes the longest. The Leonardo Express is fast, simple, and reliable if you’re heading to Termini. A taxi or NCC car is the most convenient option if you want door-to-door service, especially if you’re traveling with other people or have a lot of luggage.

The best choice depends on your arrival time, budget, hotel location, and how much luggage you have. But whichever option you choose, knowing the basics before you land will make your arrival in Rome much less stressful.

Ciao!