Leonardo Express - Best Way to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome (2026)

The Leonardo Express train is our top choice for getting from Fiumicino Airport to Rome Termini (fast and easy)

Need to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome? Don’t worry—take the Leonardo Express.

The Leonardo Express is the fastest and most convenient non-stop train between Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Rome Termini, taking about 30 minutes and running every 15–20 minutes.

It drops you right at Termini Station—perfect if you’re staying nearby, like at Sophie Terrace Hotel—and avoids the stress of taxis or buses.

Our Honest take on the Leonardo Express

We didn’t use the Leonardo Express initially. Our first shuttle bus experience ended with a stolen suitcase!

After trying private car transfers, we finally gave the train a shot and were hooked. After collecting your luggage, you can walk straight to the platform inside the airport—no hassle.

Below, you’ll find everything you need: ride times, schedules, ticket prices, boarding tips, ticket validation, and nearby hotels.

From our many trips on the Leonardo Express, we can honestly say it’s fast, reliable, and stress-free—a must for anyone travelling from Fiumicino into Rome.

How long is the train ride on the Leonardo Express?

What we love about the Leonardo Express is that it takes just 32 minutes non-stop from Fiumicino Airport to Rome (about 30 km). Once on board, you can grab any available seat—there’s no assigned seating.

Leonardo Express price 2026

• 💶 Adult fare (from age12):  €14
  There’s just one class of service, and no discount for round-trip purchases. Kids 12 and older pay the full adult fare. 👉 Book Tickets Here
  
  
• 👶 Child fare (ages 4-11)
  Children aged 4 to 11 travel free when accompanied by a paying adult.
  
  
• 🍼 Child fare (ages 0–3 years)
  Children under 4 also travel free, no ticket needed.
  
  
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Group fare (Mini-groups)
  If you're travelling with others, you can buy 4 tickets for only €40 instead of €56.
  
  

Can pets travel on Leonardo Express?

You can bring a small dog with you (with a certificate of registration with the canine registry) at no extra cost on Leonardo Express, or bring a cat or other small pets inside an appropriate carrier.

Where to find the Leonardo Express train at Fiumicino Rome Airport?

Whether you arrive at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, it's easy to find your way to the Leonardo Express train platform at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

• From Terminal 3
  After Customs, follow the yellow “Train” signs. Take the escalators on the left, then walk 4–5 minutes to reach the Leonardo Express platform.
• From Terminal 1
  After Customs, follow the “Train” signs. Take the elevator on the right up to Level 2, then continue following the signs. It’s about a 9–10 minute walk to the Leonardo Express platform.
  
  

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

What’s the simplest way to purchase Leonardo Express tickets?

There are three ways to buy Leonardo Express tickets—choose the one that’s most convenient for you.

1. Getting Leonardo Express Tickets from Ticket Machines

You’ll find plenty of ticket machines near the train platform at Fiumicino Airport

As you approach the Leonardo Express train platform at Fiumicino Airport, you’ll notice a row of red Trainline self-service ticket machines.

Buying Leonardo Express tickets from these machines is easy—you can pay with cash or a credit card. We explain the steps for purchasing Leonardo Express tickets below.

At Termini Station, you’ll find many ticket machines throughout the station for buying Leonardo Express tickets.

We prefer using the ones located inside the Trenitalia office on the platform level (open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:05 p.m.). Once you enter the office, turn left to reach the ticket machines. There is always a staff member available to help with Leonardo Express ticket purchases.

Steps to Buy Leonardo Express Tickets from Ticket Machines:

1. Choose “Roma Termini” if you're going to the city, or “Fiumicino Aeroporto” if you're heading to the airport.
2. Choose your train and time — make sure to pick the Leonardo Express, not the slower regional train that requires a transfer.
3. Select ticket type and quantity (adult or child). Note - kids 12 and up need an adult ticket.
4. Skip seat selection by pressing "Forward" — the Leonardo Express has no assigned seats.
5. Review your ticket summary, then press "Purchase"
6. Pay by card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) or cash.
   
   

2. Buying Leonardo Express tickets at the ticket window / office

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

A few steps from the ticket machines is a ticket window with helpful, English-speaking staff. You can buy Leonardo Express tickets here in just a few minutes, as the lines are usually short.

At Termini Station, there is a Trenitalia office on the platform level (open daily 6:30 a.m. to 10:05 p.m.). You can buy train tickets here for Naples, Florence, Venice, and other destinations in Italy. Lines form, but they move quickly.

3. Purchasing Leonardo Express tickets on Trainline online

Getting Leonardo Express tickets online is great if you want to save time when you land at Fiumicino. You’ll have your ticket ready on your mobile, and you can go straight to the train to reach Rome faster.

TRAINLINE is a great website for buying Leonardo Express tickets in just a few clicks! You’ll get digital tickets, and you can easily change the travel time online if needed.

Do I need to validate Leonardo Express tickets?

✅ If you buy a paper ticket at the station (from a machine or ticket counter)

Yes, you must validate it before boarding.

All paper Leonardo Express tickets must be validated. Look for “convalidare sul retro” (“validate on the back”). Use the green machines on the platform—listen for a click. 👉 Skip this, and you could face a €50 fine.

The Leonardo Express tickets are checked onboard, so have them ready.

✅ If you buy your ticket online or via app

No, validation is usually not needed, but:

• Check the ticket time — some digital tickets are time-specific or have a 4-hour window.
• You may be required to activate the ticket in the app before use (similar to validation).
  
  

👌 Colosseum Express Tour (Semi-Private)

Where to catch Leonardo Express train at Termini Station?

It's easy to find Leonardo Express train at Termini Station. The trains always depart from platforms 23 or 24. You'll find them at the right side, close to Coin department store.

To reach Termini Station is easy, use the metro, buses or just take a taxi ride from your hotel or apartment. When we stay at Sophie Terrace Hotel, we walk to the station, as it's only 5 minutes away from there.

If staying at Laurina 33 Guesthouse, which is close to Piazza di Spagna, we usually take a taxi.

What is the luggage allowance on the Leonardo Express train service?

We love the fact that Leonardo Express trains have plenty of comfortable seats and room for our luggage. The large suitcases can be placed in the luggage area, which can be found at the front and back of each train car. Smaller bags can be placed on the racks above your seat.

If the train is not crowded, we keep our suitcases with us. Otherwise, we usually look for seats close to the luggage area so we can easily reach our suitcases and quickly get off the train.

Leonardo Express train boats plenty of room for luggage

Best way to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome: Leonardo Express or car transfer?

Sometimes it’s worth spending an extra €20–30 on a private car transfer from Rome Fiumicino Airport, especially when we’re in a group or have lots of luggage—it’s tough managing suitcases on a crowded train.

We usually book with Welcome Pickups online and get all the transfer details by email. The driver is always waiting with a sign, so there’s no stress.

It’s great to be escorted to the car and let the driver handle everything.

We’ve never had to update them about flight delays, and the cost—around €60—is just a bit more than a regular taxi.

🚖  Why we love Welcome Pickups transfers

1. Taxi-level prices with premium service
2. Easy and straightforward booking
3. Meet-and-greet service in the arrival hall
4. Available worldwide, including Rome, Naples, Bari, Florence, Bologna, Venice, and Milan

Once you arrive by Leonardo Express to Termini Station...

Once you arrive to Termini, you can easily find a taxi or use metro to reach your hotel or apartment.

Some parts of Rome are not served by metro (such as Trastevere), so you'll need to take a taxi. From Termini you can catch a metro to Spanish Steps, the Vatican or the Colosseum area.

From Roma Termini Station, you can reach by train numerous destinations within Italy, including:

• Naples (1 hour)
• Florence (1h 30 min)
• Bologna (2h)
• Siena (3h)
• Milan (2h 50 min)
• Venice (3h 15 min).
  
  

👌 See the best of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Basilica

Where to stay near Termini Station: Our top hotel picks

We found it convenient to stay close to Termini Station, so we can easily reach our accommodation once we arrive by Leonardo Express train. These are our two favourites:

The breathtaking view from Sophie Terrace Hotel near Rome's Termini Station — a favourite spot we always look forward to during our stays

Sophie Terrace Hotel

This great hotel can be reached on foot from Termini in only 4-5 minutes. Warm staff and super comfortable rooms are what makes this hotel so attractive.

Plus, it has a rooftop terrace - ideal for relaxing, breathing fresh air and having a drink after a day of exploring the city.

Nerva Boutique Hotel

To reach Nerva Boutique Hotel, you'll need to walk a little farther.

From Roma Termini, just follow Via Cavour all the way down, then turn right onto Via di Tor de' Conti — it's about a 15-minute walk. You'll see you're quite close to the Colosseum!

What we love about this small hotel in the heart of Rome is its homely atmosphere, cosy rooms, and friendly staff. If you stay here, don't miss the delicious breakfast served in the ground-floor restaurant!

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