Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Guest Blogger:  Nicole Arriaga

You’ve booked your trip to Rome and now you have to figure out how you’ll get into the city center from the airport. The good news is that there are several different ways to get to and from the airport that meets everyone’s budget.

Taxi

From Fiumicino Airport

The first and generally the most expensive method (if you’re traveling alone or with just one other person) for getting to and from the airport is by taxi. There is a taxi stand directly outside the international arrivals area (terminals 2 and 3). Look for the orange sign that says ‘TAXI’ to ensure you are waiting in the right location. Be aware that there are several illegal drivers that linger outside the international arrivals area soliciting tourists for a taxi. These are not authorized drivers and if you accept a ride with them, you will pay more. Luckily for tourists, the price has gone down or shall we say been recently regulated by the city of Rome so that tourists staying in or near the centro will pay a fixed rate. To see if your hotel lies within the centro or nearby in order to qualify, check out this map below. The fixed rate to/from Fiumicino airport is €40 if you take a taxi cab with the ‘Comune di Roma’ emblem on the side of the door. If you take a taxi cab with the ‘Comune di Fiumicino’ emblem, the cost will run you €50. So make sure to keep an eye out before you hop in the first cab you see.

From Ciampino Airport

From Ciampino airport, the ride will run you €30. Both fares include luggage. If your hotel lies outside the boundaries laid out on this map, the fare will depend on the meter and how long it takes to get to your hotel. If in doubt, check with your hotel beforehand.

Train

From Fiumicino Airport

There are two different types of trains that will get you into the city from Fiumicino airport. Unlike Fiumicino, the Ciampino airport does not have a train station that connects you to the city.

Option 1

The first train, the FM 1 costs €8,00 and runs about every 15 minutes. It makes several stops including: Trastevere (23 minutes), Ostiense (27 minutes), Tiburtina (42 minutes).From the airport, you can buy a ticket (biglietto) from any news stand, tobacco shop or from one of the automated machines. Make sure to validate it from one of the yellow machines along the tracks before boarding, or you will receive a fine once on board.

Option 2

The second train is called the Leonardo Express. It is slightly more expensive (€14) as it brings you directly into Rome’s main public transportation hub, Termini train station. Trains leave every 30 minutes and start as early as 5:30am. The approximate travel time to/from the airport is roughly 32 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at any tobacco shop, newsstand or automated machines both at the airport and train station. Make sure to validate before boarding the train.

For a complete train schedule, visit  Treni Italia.

Shuttle

This last option is generally the cheapest but can be the most stressful because of the lines and the length of time is can take you to get into the city.

From Fiumicino Airport

Just outside Terminal 3, there will be a sign that reads ‘SIT Shuttle Bus Fermata’. The SIT shuttle bus runs every 35 minutes from Fiumicino airport and the total travel time is approximately 50-55 minutes. Tickets cost €8 one way or €15 both ways and can be purchased directly on board or online.The shuttle takes you directly to Rome’s Termini train station.

Alternatively, the shuttle will also take you to Piazza Cavour (near the Vatican area) for the same price. The total travel time is also pretty much the same.

From Ciampino Airport

Directly outside of the Ciampino airport, there will be shuttle buses just outside. The total travel time by shuttle to get to Rome’s Termini train station from Ciampino is roughly 35-40 minutes. SIT Shuttle buses will run you €4 or €8 roundtrip.

Alternatively, there is a second bus company that is also relatively efficient, Terravision. It does the same route as SIT does and costs the same price. Tickets can also be purchased on board, at the airport or online.   Both shuttle bus companies organize their departure times around the flight schedules. For more information on schedules check out both companies’ websites.