Jeremy Vandel

How to Get to Rome from Fiumicino Airport

Fiumicino Airport, officially called Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, is the largest one in Italy, handling 43 million passengers yearly.

There are two airports that serve Rome. The most important is the one located in Fiumicino, considered to be the main link between Italy and the rest of the world. The other one is located in Ciampino, about 10 miles away from the city. It is significantly smaller and is mainly used for low cost flights on European routes.

Terminal 1 at Fiumicino only manages domestic flights and travelers from the Schengen Area, comprising 26 European nations. All other flights currently land at Terminal 3. (Terminals 2 and 5 are closed for maintenance and expansion while Terminal 4 has not yet been built).

Fiumicino has a great variety of transportation options for all budgets to cover the 15.5 miles to Rome. To help you make the right choice, here is a small summary. You can find detailed information on each option farther down the page.

*Ratings are an indicator of convenience considering cost and comfort for each option..

Terravision Bus

Terravision buses are the best option for travelers on a budget. They are less expensive than the Leonardo Express train and will get you to Termini Station, Rome’s main rail station, in 55 minutes non-stop.

Other bus operators offer similar services but Terravision is the most recommended. This company specializes in transfers to and from airports throughout Europe and due to its large volume of travelers can offer the lowest prices.

Consider Terravision buses even if your final destination is not in the city center. From Termini Station you can easily reach other areas using the metro or city buses.

Stops

Terravision buses depart from a stop in the municipality of Fiumicino. From there, they go to the airport to pick up passengers and then journey directly to the southwest side of Termini train station, along Via Giovani Giotti.

Tickets

Cost of a one-way ticket purchased online is 7.00€. A roundtrip ticket costs 13.00€, saving you 1.00€.

In case you’d like to buy the ticket directly at Terravision’s bus stop at the airport (subject to seat availability), the price of the one-way ticket increases to 10.00€.

All children under 4 years of age travel free on Terravision buses.

*You can only buy tickets online up to two hours before a bus departure. If you arrive at the airport without an online ticket, you can buy one directly at the Terravision bus stop (see location below), subject to seat availability.

Besides being less expensive, advance online ticket purchases assure that you will get a seat on the bus for the departure time that suits you best.

In case your flight is delayed, tickets purchased online are still valid for later departures, subject to seat availability.

At the end of the online purchasing process, you do not need to print tickets. You can just show them on your cell phone screen to Terravision staff before boarding the bus. If you bought a round-trip ticket, make sure you show it to the driver when boarding so that you receive a voucher for the return trip to Fiumicino Airport.

You can buy your tickets on the Terravision website.

Schedule

Due to the health contingency caused by COVID-19, Terravision’s schedule has been temporarily modified. Currently, there are only eight departures each day at the following times: 08:30 am, 09:10 am, 11:05 am, 11:55 am, 1:45 pm, 3:05 pm, 6:35 pm and 9:05 pm.

Previously, the first bus would leave at 5:35 am and the last one at 11:00 pm. Buses used to depart about every 40 minutes during the day, but at night the wait between departures were a bit longer.

You can check the updated timetables on the Terravision website.

Luggage Restrictions

Terravision doesn’t have a limit on the amount of luggage that can be transported as long as there is space available in the luggage compartment on the bus.

Carry-on luggage can be taken on board if it’s small enough to fit in overhead compartments.

Large packages such as skiing equipment, bicycles, and other similar items can generally be transported, but the passenger should contact Terravision to verify availability and whether any extra fees apply for each particular case.

Bus Stop Location

Terravision buses, and most other bus lines, leave from a stop located on the right-hand side after exiting Terminal 3 at Fiumicino Airport. Normally, Terravision uses Bay 14. Signposts inside and outside the terminal help you find your way.

Terravision Buses Suit You If…

Leonardo Express Train

Trenitalia, Italy’s main rail service, operates the popular Leonardo Express and other lines from the Fiumicino Airport train station. The Leonardo Express line offers direct service to Termini train station every 15 minutes with a travel time of 32 minutes.

The Termini train station is located in the heart of Rome and you can easily continue your journey in Rome from there by metro, bus, or regional train if your final destination is outside the city.

One great advantage of this service is that it doesn’t impose limits on the amount of luggage that can be taken aboard. Another plus is that departures are guaranteed in the event of labor strikes.

Stephen Rees

Stops

Leonardo Express trains depart from platforms 2 and 3 at the Fiumicino train station (see location below) and arrive in Termini Station at platforms 23 and 24. There are no intermediate stops along the route.

Tickets

A one-way ticket costs 14.00€ and can be purchased online on the Trenitalia website or from the automatic machines at the station.

Since daily departures from Fiumicino are frequent, there’s no need to book online. However, arriving at the station with a previously purchased ticket can help you avoid lines at the ticket office during rush hours.

Please note that regular public transportation tickets are not valid on Leonardo Express trains. You are not allowed to travel before the time indicated on the ticket. However, if you are delayed, you can travel after the time on your ticket.

If you buy your ticket directly at the airport train station, you must validate it before getting on the train in the green machines on the platform. Tickets bought online do not require validation.

The Leonardo Express is free for:

• Children under 4 years old
• Children between 4 and 12 years old (one child per adult)
• Small pets contained in appropriate kennels
• Service dogs

Schedule

Due to the health contingency caused by COVID-19, the Leonardo Express schedule has been temporarily modified. Currently, there are departures from Fiumicino every hour between 6:23 am and 11:23 pm..

Previously, there used to be 126 departures of the Leonardo Express train everyday. The wait for a train averaged 15 minutes but it varied depending on the time of day and day of the week. The maximum waiting time never exceeded 45 minutes.

Go to Trenitalia’s website for the updated Leonardo Express schedule.

Luggage Restrictions

While the Leonardo Express doesn’t have a limit on the amount of luggage that can be transported, travelling with a lot of luggage on the train can be uncomfortable and is not recommended.

The train cabins have dedicated spaces to place the luggage.

Station Location

The Fiumicino Airport train station is located in front of Terminal 3 so you won’t need to leave the building. Look for signs inside the airport that will direct you to the station.

The Leonardo Express Train Suits You if…

Regional Train FL1

If your final destination in Rome is not in the Termini Station area, then the FL1 regional train may be your best option. We recommend this option, however, only if your destination is near a stop on this line.

Jeremy Vandel

Stops

This service has stops south and east of Rome from which you can connect with the metro, trams, or city buses to reach any part of the city.

The stops of the FL1 train are as follows:

If you’d like to use the FL1 train to get to the Termini area, you’ll need to get off the train at Ostiense, and then ride the connection to Piramide Station on the B metro line. From there you can reach Termini in 7 minutes, passing through stations of interest such as Colosseo and Circo Massimo.

Tickets

The price of a one-way ticket to any of the four stations mentioned above is 8.00€. Tickets can be purchased at the automatic machines or on Trenitalia’s website.

All tickets, except those purchased online, must be validated before boarding at one of the green machines located on the platforms. If you don’t do this and are stopped during a checkpoint, you’ll get fined.

As with the Leonardo Express service, no ticket or pass for public transport in Rome is valid for travel from Fiumicino Airport on the FL1. Likewise, the FL1 ticket from this terminal is not valid for public transportation either.

So, if you must take the metro or a bus from an FL 1 stop to get to your destination, the total cost of your transfer could be 9.50€ (assuming you buy a 1.50€ BIT ticket).

The service of the FL1 line trains is free for:

• Children under 4 years old
• Children between the ages of 4 and 12 (one child per adult)
• Small pets contained in appropriate kennels
• Service dogs

Schedule

This line leaves Fiumicino in intervals of approximately 15 minutes from 5:57 am until 11:57 pm every day. At night, the intervals are a bit longer.

The schedule for the day of your arrival can be found on the Trenitalia website.

Luggage Restrictions

Similar to the Leonardo Express, there are no restrictions on the amount of luggage you can bring on board Trenitalia. That said, the FL1 regional trains do not have a dedicated space for luggage, and therefore is only recommended if you are not traveling with a lot of luggage.

Station Location

The Fiumicino airport train station is located in front of Terminal 3. It’s not necessary to exit the terminal. Follow the signs posted in the airport.

The FL1 Regional Train Suits You if…

SIT Bus

SIT (Società Italiana Trasporti) buses are ideal if your final destination is near the Vatican zone. As with Terravision, this service’s final destination is Termini train station but also includes a couple of stops along the way.

Stops

The stops on the SIT bus route are as follows:

Tickets

The price of a one-way ticket to Rome from Fiumicino with the SIT buses is 7.00€ per person. You can also buy a roundtrip ticket for 13.00€, saving you 1.00€.

You can buy SIT bus tickets three ways: online directly on the company website, from the driver, or from authorized sellers (easily identified by their orange vest) at the stops along the route.

The price is the same at all sale points, however, it’s advised you make the purchase online to avoid problems of seat availability.

As with Terravision, if there is a delay in your flight you can use your ticket on subsequent departures.

Schedule

Due to the health contingency caused by COVID-19, the SIT’s schedule has been temporarily modified.

There are 12 departures everyday from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, with intervals of approximately one hour.

Previously, this service operated until midnight with departures every 30 minutes.

You can consult the schedule directly on the SIT company website.

Luggage Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the amount of luggage you can bring on the SIT buses, as long as there is available space in the luggage hold.

Bus Stop Location

Like Terravision buses, SIT buses start their journey from a stop located on the right-hand side after exiting Terminal 3 at Fiumicino Airport.

Normally, SIT buses use Bay 12. There are multiple signs inside and outside the terminal, so you will have no problem finding your way.

SIT Buses Suit You If…

TAM bus

The company TAM (Tirreno Azienda Mobilitá) operates a bus service connecting Fiumicino Airport with Ostiense and Termini train stations.

Peel Park

Stops

The stops on the TAM bus route are as follows:

Tickets

The price of a one-way ticket is 8.00€. A roundtrip ticket is 13.00€.

TAM’s online booking system isn’t very intuitive and its interface is not user-friendly. For some people, it makes more sense to buy a ticket after landing. The risk of doing this is that there might not be seats available for the next departure.

If you decide to buy your ticket at the airport, look for the TAM counter in the arrivals area in Terminal 3.

In case your flight is delayed, your ticket is valid for later departures, subject to seat availability.

Schedule

Due to the health contingency caused by COVID-19, TAM has cancelled its night service and operates with a reduced number of daily departures from Fiumicino.

There are currently 7 departures everyday at the following times: 08:00 am, 08:45 am, 11:25 am, 12:55 pm, 2:50 pm, 5:05 pm and 8:20 pm.

Previously, TAM buses departed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with relatively short intervals. At night, buses used to leave Fiumicino at 12:10 am, 1:15 am, 2:15 am and 5:15 am. During the day, there were departures every 30 or 60 minutes.

You can check the updated schedules on TAM’s website.

Luggage Restrictions

Unlike Terravision and SIT, some luggage restrictions apply on board the TAM buses.

The ticket price includes up to two pieces of luggage, with a maximum weight of 15 kg (33 lbs) each. Luggage may not be bigger than 80x45x25 cm (31x18x10 in).

If you have more than two suitcases or larger luggage, you will need to pay for an extra ticket.

Stop Location

Like the Terravision buses, TAM buses are located on the right-hand side once you exit Terminal 3, usually in Bay 13. Follow the signs inside and outside the terminal to find your way.

TAM Buses Suit You if…

Rome Airport Bus

Formerly known as Bus Schiaffini, Rome Airport Bus is another service that connects Fiumicino Airport to Termini train station in a non-stop 55 minute trip.

Rome Airport Bus has no outstanding features. We believe that Terravision offers a better service and is more budget friendly—the reason we recommend it.

Stops

The Rome Airport Bus starts its journey from a stop located in the municipality of Fiumicino. From there, it goes to the airport to pick up passengers and then continues to Termini train station without stopping.

Tickets

The price of the one-way ticket is 9.90€. The company offers a discount for a round-trip ticket, 12.90€.

Due to the contingency caused by the COVID-19, Rome Airport Bus does not allow the purchase of tickets online. If you wish to use this service, you can purchase your tickets directly from the company’s counter located in the arrivals area in Terminal 3, subject to seat availability.

Schedule

Rome Airport Bus schedules have been temporarily modified due to the health contingency caused by COVID-19. However, the company has not provided details about the new schedules.

If you wish to use this service, you must check if there are any upcoming departures once you have landed at Fiumicino.

Luggage Restrictions

Rome Airport Bus travel conditions specify that all luggage to be transported in the buses must weigh less than 20 kg (44 lbs.) and dimensions less than 80x45x25 cm (31x18x10 in).

There is no mention about the number of pieces that can be transported, implying there are no limits for the amount of luggage allowed.

Stop Location

As with the other bus services, the Rome Airport Bus departs from the bus stop located on the right-hand side after you exit Terminal 3, typically in Bay 6. Multiple signs inside and outside the terminal show the way to the bus.

The Rome Airport Bus Suits You if…

COTRAL Regional Buses

Without a doubt, the regional COTRAL buses are the cheapest option, but also the most complicated one getting from Fiumicino Airport to Rome. The buses stop at key points in Rome from where you can continue your journey to any point in the city.

This is the most appealing option if your priority is to save as much money as possible and you don’t have a lot of luggage. It can also be useful for traveling to the Termini or Tiburtina train stations in the early morning, as there is a bus that covers that route at night.

However, most of the time, using the regional buses isn’t worth it. First, you can’t buy tickets in Terminal 3. You have to go to a tobacconist in Terminal 1 for tickets. The buses are slow, uncomfortable, and have very irregular schedules. The fare system can also be confusing.

Stephen Rees

Lines and Stops

In total, there are three COTRAL regional bus lines connecting Rome to Fiumicino Airport:

Tickets

Ticket prices vary depending on the final destination and place of purchase. If purchased on board the bus, a special fare must be paid which is significantly higher than the normal fare, thus eliminating the economic advantage of this service.

For routes to Eur Magliana and Cornelia, a ticket known as a BIRG can also be used. It costs 8.00€ and includes unlimited travel on all public transportation in Rome until midnight on the day you validate it. Unfortunately, the BIRG ticket is not valid for night trips between Fiumicino Airport and Termini or Tiburtina stations.

Furthermore, one-way tickets for COTRAL buses are single use and are not valid for connections to the metro or buses in Rome.

Tickets for COTRAL services are usually bought at tobacconists and kiosks. At Fiumicino airport, as noted above, they can be purchased at the tobacconist called “Titoli” in Terminal 1 by entering the door near the COTRAL stop next to the taxi stand. Follow signs and maps to Terminal 1.

Unfortunately, the tobacconist closes at 9:30 pm, so if you arrive too late you may have to pay the higher 7.00€ fare when you board the bus.

Schedule

As mentioned above, COTRAL buses have irregular schedules that change throughout the year. However, below you will find details that tend to be constant:

*Please note that this information could become obsolete at any time. For details on the timetables for the day of your arrival, it’s best to check the COTRAL website (only available in Italian).

To check the schedule for the day of your arrival, select “Orari” from the main menu. Then enter “Aeroporto di Fiumicino” as origin and “Eur Magliana”, “Cornelia”, “Tiburtina” or “Termini” as destination, depending on which one pertains to you.

Luggage Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the amount of luggage that can be transported on COTRAL regional buses. However, we do not recommend using this service if you are traveling with more than just a carry-on.

Stop Location

The COTRAL bus stop is not the same as the other bus services. It’s located near Terminal 2. To get there, just follow the signs inside the airport indicating the way to the “Regional Bus Stop.”

COTRAL Buses Suit You if…

Taxis

Taxis are not exactly cheap, but they are one of the most comfortable and fastest options to reach your final destination in Rome from Fiumicino Airport.

A trip from the airport to the Termini area usually takes about 40 minutes and has a fixed cost of 48.00€.

Spirosk

Rates

Taxi fares are regulated by the Municipality of Rome and are fixed for the following journeys from Fiumicino airport.

*This fare applies only on trips to destinations within the zone inside the Aurelian Walls in Rome, marked in orange on this map drawn up by the Municipality of Rome.

For trips to any destination outside the Aurelian Walls, but within the round highway surrounding Rome (Grande Raccordo Anulare), the cost of the trip won’t exceed 70.00€

These fares are for a maximum of four passengers with luggage. You can generally pay via credit card although you should confirm this with the driver at the beginning of the trip. Verify your driver knows the location of your destination.

For details on extra fees for luggage and extra passengers, see our guide to using Rome’s taxis.

The Risks of Taking a Taxi From Fiumicino Airport

Most Roman taxi drivers are honest and do their job well. Unfortunately, there are some ill-intended drivers who seek to take advantage of tourists.

It’s important you always check with the taxi driver and confirm they are charging you the correct fare before riding with them. This avoids misunderstandings and unpleasant experiences.

Beware of individuals assertively soliciting taxi services at the airport. Official taxis are not allowed to offer their services in this way. If someone aggressively offers you a ride, you can be sure that they will try to overcharge you or take advantage somehow.

Instead, take an authorized Roman taxi. These taxis are white, and by regulation of the city council must carry a sign on the outside of the front doors that includes their license number, a “Roma Capitale” sign, and details of the fixed fares for journeys from Fiumicino and Ciampino airports.

At the airport there are also taxis from the municipality of Fiumicino, but they do not have fixed fares and can charge you much more to get to your destination in Rome.

Ordering Taxis Via the FreeNow App (Formerly myTaxi)

There are several apps to request taxis directly from your cell phone. Unfortunately, most of these options often fail, are poorly designed, or expensive, so we don’t recommend them.

There is one exception, however. FreeNow, a service formerly known as myTaxi, tested by us, had perfect results.

This app is well designed and is an ideal alternative if the taxi wait is long at the airport. It can also be useful for night transfers or to make sure you travel in a licensed taxi that respects the official fares.

To use the FreeNow app you need to register with the service, which only takes a couple of minutes. When you order a taxi, the app automatically detects the user’s location and then asks for the destination.

With this data, the system calculates the approximate cost of the trip and offers different vehicle options. In addition to the typical sedans, it is usually also possible to order vehicles with up to eight seats and other modifications for people with accessibility needs.

Payment can be made directly in the app via PayPal or credit card, which increases security and eliminates the possibility of fraud. Alternatively, it is also possible to pay cash directly to the taxi driver at the end of the trip.

Download Free Now for iPhone

Download Free Now for Android phones

Taxi Location

There are taxi stops located outside the arrivals areas of Terminals 1 and 3. There are plenty of signs at the airport indicating the way, so you should have no problem finding them.

Luggage Restrictions

Each passenger may take one piece of luggage for free. For each extra piece of luggage with dimensions greater than 35x25x50 cm (14x10x20 in) you will be charged 1.00€.

Taxis Suit You If…

Car Sharing Apps

Car sharing apps are an attractive alternative for those who enjoy driving and need more mobility. With this type of service, you can rent a car for a short period of time, only paying for the time you use it (from a few minutes to a few days) and the miles you drive.

At Fiumicino Airport, two companies called Share Now and Enjoy offer this service. Both of them have reserved spaces for their cars in the short-stay parking lot in front of Terminal 1.

If you are already registered with the service and have an account, you can book a car in advance and pick it up at the parking lot. If not, we recommend you register in advance, as it sometimes can take a while to complete the driver’s license verification process.

How It Works

The pickup process is similar with both companies. Simply check the app to see if there is a vehicle for you in the car park and then book it to unlock the doors of the car.

Detailed instructions may vary depending on the company, but the app clearly indicates the next steps at all times.

You won’t need a ticket to leave the short-stay parking lot. You simply approach the exit and the access control bar will automatically lift, thanks to the automatic license plate reading system.

When you have finished your trip, you can park your car in any free space within the designated area or use one of the places specially reserved for car sharing in the streets of Rome. Please note that it is forbidden to leave the car in a private parking lot. Doing so may cause you problems with the rental company.

Requirements

The basic requirements for car sharing in Rome are a driving license, a credit card, and a cell phone with internet connection capable of running the company’s app. However, on some occasions, companies may also request the European Health Insurance Card or information about your health insurance.

All requirements are clearly specified during the registration process in both companies.

Rental Prices with Share Now

Share Now rates vary depending on the car chosen and the demand at the time of rental. In Rome, the current minimum fare for a two-seater car (smart fortwo) is 0.19€ per minute, while a four-seater car (smart forfour) has a minimum fare of 0.29€ per minute.

The minimum fares are rarely available, so in most cases, you’ll end up paying slightly more per minute. Also, in the case of temporary rentals from Fiumicino Airport, a single rate of 9.99€ is added to the total price.

In the following table, you can see an approximate cost to get to Termini, Trastevere, or the Vatican with the different vehicles available. Keep in mind that these calculations have been made with the minimum fares. The actual costs at the time of your arrival will likely be higher, depending on the actual demand at that moment.

These calculations include the airport fare and estimated travel time of 35 minutes to Termini and 30 minutes to the Vatican and Trastevere. For new accounts, a one-time validation fee of 9.00€ is included and charged during the registration process.

Go to Share Now’s website for more information

Rental Fees With Enjoy

Enjoy has similar rates, but only offers one type of passenger car: The Fiat 500.

The price per minute for renting with Enjoy is 0.25€. It is also possible to rent one of these cars for a whole day for 50.00€. Longer rentals are allowed up to 15 days, with a fare of 40.00€ per day.

Additionally, there is a one-time fee of 9.50€ for rentals from Fiumicino Airport. If you are a new account and do not register with an Italian driver’s license, you will pay a fee of 10.00€ for the validation of your documents, of which 5.00€ will be returned as credit to be used in your first rental.

There are some mileage limits as well. If they are exceeded, some extra fees are charged. The total breakdown of the cost is given to you at the end of your rental in the Enjoy app.

In the table below, you can see an approximate cost to get to Termini, Trastevere, or the Vatican area with this service:

*These calculations include the airport fare and estimate a travel time of 35 minutes for Termini and 30 minutes for Vatican and Trastevere. The non-Italian document verification fee (10.00€), which is charged at the time of subscription, is not included.

Go to Enjoy’s website for more information

Parking Location

Both companies have reserved parking spaces in the short-stay parking in front of Terminal 1.

To get to the parking lot, follow the signs indicating “Parking ABCD”. Once you leave the terminal, you will immediately see the company signs.

Luggage Restrictions

The only limitation on the amount of luggage that may be carried in the short-term rental vehicles is the space available in the car itself.

Car Sharing Apps Suit You If…