The Best Ways to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome

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What are the best ways to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome? You will most likely land to Fiumicino Airport, situated some 20km from Rome, near the small town of Fiumicino (the official name is Leonardo da Vinci Airport).

All major airlines operate to and from Fiumicino, and even low cost carriers such as Ryanair have now moved most of their flights here.

Fiumicino is a big and modern airport, well organised with many options for transfer to Rome. Here, we would like to recommend the two ways of getting to Rome, which we love the most - Leonardo Express trains and private car transfer.

If you are in Monti, an easy and reliable way is the Leonardo Express from the station (you may be able to walk to it).

1. Taking Leonardo Express from Fiumicino Airport to Rome (Termini Station)

The Leonardo Express trains provide passengers with comfort, cleanliness, and plenty of space for luggage. Your journey will last just 32 minutes without any stops, ensuring a prompt arrival at your destination.

Opting for the Leonardo Express is more budget-friendly than a taxi and offers a quicker, more comfortable ride compared to shuttle buses. It strikes the perfect balance of convenience, speed, and affordability for most travellers.

Once you're on board, feel free to choose any available seat, as the Leonardo Express operates with open seating.

Leonardo Express train at Fiumicino airportLeonardo Express train at Fiumicino airport

What's the duration of the Leonardo Express trip? It's a quick 32-minute ride from Fiumicino Airport to Rome's Termini Station, with no stops along the way (covering about 30 km).

And how about the Leonardo Express schedule? It's super convenient! Trains run every 15 minutes during peek hours and every 30 minutes the rest of the day, going both ways. The first train leaves Roma Termini at 4:50am, and the last one departs at 11:35pm. If you're at Fiumicino Airport, you can catch the final train of the day at 12:23am.

Don't worry about missing your flight - the Leonardo Express timetable is designed to sync up with most arrivals and departures at Fiumicino Airport.

Tickets for Leonardo Express

A one-way ticket for the Leonardo Express costs €14, with only one class of service available. Keep in mind that there are no discounts if you purchase both your outbound and return tickets simultaneously.

Children under 4 years old ride for free.

Children aged 4 to 11 can also travel without cost when accompanied by a paying adult.

However, for kids aged 12 and over, a regular adult ticket must be purchased for the Leonardo Express. Failing to do so may result in a €50 fine on the spot. So, if you're traveling with a 12-year-old, be sure to get an adult ticket for them!

👉 With Trainline, you can buy Leonardo Express tickets in just a few clicks at no extra cost!


Where to catch The Leonardo Express at Fiumicino Airport?

As soon as you arrive at Fiumicino Airport, getting to the train platform is easy since you don't need to leave the airport building. If you arrive at Terminal 3, after collecting your luggage and clearing Customs, you simply follow the yellow "Train" signs. It's just a quick 4-5 minute walk, using escalators along the way.

For those arriving at Terminal 1, after grabbing your bags and passing through Customs, follow the "Train" signs for about a minute until you reach the elevators on the right. Once there, take the elevator to Level 2 and continue following the yellow "Train" signs to arrive at the train platform. This journey takes around 10 minutes or less.

Follow the yellow sign "Train" to reach Leonardo Express platform at Fiumicino AirportFollow the yellow sign "Train" to reach Leonardo Express platform at Fiumicino Airport

Where to buy tickets for Leonardo Express at Fiumicino

Purchasing tickets for the Leonardo Express at the airport station is a breeze. There are plenty of Trenitalia ticket machines that accept cash and credit cards. The process is quick and easy.

Just a few steps away, there are ticket windows where you can buy tickets for the Leonardo Express in no time, and the staff speaks English.

Trenitalia ticket windows at Fiumicino train stationTrenitalia ticket windows at Fiumicino train station

Where to find Leonardo Express train at Termini Station (Rome)

Getting to Termini Station is straightforward, as it's the junction for both metro lines A and B, allowing easy travel from any part of Rome. Alternatively, you can opt for buses or taxis.

At Termini Station, you can catch the Leonardo Express trains from platforms 23 and 24.

Where to buy tickets for Leonardo Express at Termini Station

Around the station, you'll find plenty of Trenitalia ticket machines where you can purchase tickets for the Leonardo Express.

Additionally, there's a Trenitalia ticket office on the platform level, open daily from 6:30am to 10:05pm. Although the lines can be long, they tend to move quickly, and the staff is helpful and proficient in English.

To skip the queue, you can enter through the office door and head to the left, where there are more ticket machines and a Trenitalia staff member ready to assist you with your ticket purchase.

Tickets for the Leonardo Express bought at the machines are flexible, meaning you can travel at any time on the day of purchase.

Be sure to validate your paper tickets before boarding the trains!

Note that all paper tickets need to be validated. At the top and bottom of the ticket it says "convalidare sul retro”, which means validate on the back. "Validation" is just a "date and time" stamp and you get it by sticking your ticket in any of the green boxes on the platforms. Insert the ticket into the validating machine and keep until you hear a clicking sound.

👉 Not validating your ticket will result in a €50 fine!

Trenitalia ticket office at Termini Station (inside you can also find ticket machines)Trenitalia ticket office at Termini Station (inside you can also find ticket machines)

Buying tickets for Leonardo Express online

Tickets for Leonardo Express trains can also be purchased online with Trainline, in just a few simple clicks at no extra cost. Choose the date you wish to travel, then your preferred departure time and book your tickets.

You'll get the tickets straight to your email. Tickets bought online are valid for specific time slot, but you can easily change that online, if you want to travel earlier or later.

Buying Leonardo Tickets online is a smart choice for several reasons: saves your time, easy process of booking, you can go to train station directly from the plane and quick access to the train platform (you just need to scan your ticket barcode).

👉 Be sure to make online check-in once you are on the train (it's easy!).

How much luggage can you bring to the Leonardo Express trains?

The Leonardo Express trains boast plenty of comfy seats and space for storing luggage, either in overhead racks or designated luggage areas at the front and rear of the train cars. Alternatively, you can choose to keep your bags by your seat, provided the train is not too crowded.

Once you arrive to Termini Station...

Roma Termini - Rome's main train stationRoma Termini is where Leonardo Express train arrives to (and departs from)

Once you arrive to Termini Station in Rome, you can either walk to your hotel/apartment if it is nearby (such as Sophie Terrace Hotel), take a taxi or metro.

You'll find taxi stand is in front of the main entrance to the station in Piazza dei Cinquecento as you exit. Get in a line for a taxi, and wait your turn. From Termini Station you can catch a metro to anywhere in Rome, including Spanish Steps, the Vatican or Colosseum area. Trastervere is not served by metro, so you'll need to take a taxi. 

Calling taxi in Rome

One of the realiable taxi companies in Rome is Radiotaxi 3570 (call 06 3570 to get connected to operators). You can even order a taxi via SMS (type the message indicating the city and address and send to 3666730000; for example - rome via condotti 29).

From Roma Termini, you can easily take trains to many cities within Italy, NaplesFlorence, Milan and Venice to name a few. Train tickets are pretty affordable, especially if you buy them well in advance (companies release the tickets 5-6 months ahead).

Where to stay near Termini Station

A beautiful view from Sophie Terrace Hotel near the Termini StationA beautiful view from Sophie Terrace Hotel near the Termini Station

If you're landing at Fiumicino Airport and hopping on the Leonardo Express to Termini Station, staying close by is an excellent idea!

Sophie Terrace Hotel is a top choice—just a brief 5-minute stroll from the train station. The hotel offers cozy and comfortable rooms along with a lovely rooftop terrace where you can unwind. The staff is warm, attentive, and friendly, ensuring a delightful stay. Plus, the iconic Colosseum is only a short walk away!

For a more central location, head from Roma Termini down Via Cavour, and turn onto Via di Tor de' Conti. Here, you'll find Nerva Boutique Hotel, a charming little treasure just steps from the Colosseum. It boasts a welcoming atmosphere with fantastic staff. The well-appointed rooms feature comfortable beds, and the delicious breakfast is served in the cute ground-floor restaurant.

Seeking more options? Explore our other top recommendations for accommodation in Rome!

2. Taking a private car transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Rome

If you want to get straight from Fiumicino Airport to your hotel, consider taking a private car transfer. We love Welcome Pickups transfer services, offering affordable and reliable car transfers in many cities in Italy (and worldwide).

Booking process is simple and can be done online. After you make your reservation, they'll send you an email to confirm everything. This means when you land at Fiumicino Airport, you won't have to stress about how to get to your hotel or apartment. It's all taken care of!

A friendly driver who speaks English will be waiting for you after you collect your bags. Look for them holding a sign with your name on it. They'll help you with your luggage and guide you to a comfortable, air-conditioned car. Don't worry if your flight is delayed - they keep track of flight times and will still be there to meet you, no matter what. The cost for a one-way trip is about €70, which is pretty reasonable for a private transfer.

You can also book a ride from Fiumicino Airport to Civitavecchia, where many cruise ships depart from. This can save you the hassle of figuring out how to get there on your own.

What travellers say about Welcome Pickups service in Rome:

Always a great drive (Oct 2024)
"I have booked car service with this company twice and have loved both experiences. On both occasions, the driver was helpful, knowledgeable and got us to our destination with no hiccups."

A great service (Oct 2024)
"This was a great start to our trip . Adrian was so pleasant and efficient . We felt instantly welcome to Rome . We also used the service to return to the airport . Our driver was in touch ahead of the pick up time and arrived as soon as we said we were ready . Great service."

Highly Recommend Welcome Pickups
"Both transfers from FCO to our hotel and back to the airport were great. Drivers were on time, friendly, and professional. Very comfortable and clean vehicle."

Pre-cruise Visit to Rome (Sep 2024)
"Excellent service from Rome Airport to hotel in Rome, via Welcome Pickups. We've used them several times and never been disappointed."

Very reliable, professional service! (Sep 2024)
"Welcome Pickups was a great find for this trip. We used it several times and found the drivers were always on time with professional service. It was a great experience!"

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