Leonardo Express - Best Way to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome (2025)

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

Taking the Leonardo Express from Rome’s airport to the city center is a breeze.

It’s fast (about 30 minutes), runs frequently, and drops you right at Termini Station (we love the nearby Sophie Terrace Hotel!) with no stops.

We used it on our trip and loved how easy and stress-free it was—way better than dealing with taxis or buses.

How long is the train ride on the Leonardo Express?

What we love the most about Leonardo Express trains, is the journey from Fiumicino Airport to Rome takes only 32 minutes, with no stops in between (the distance is around 30 km). 

Once you board the train, you can take any empty seat as there is no assigned seating on the Leonardo Express.

Once you arrive at Rome Termini Station, you’re steps away from some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Piazza Venezia are all walkable or a short metro ride away.

Leonardo Express ticket price 2025

• 💶 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 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.
  
  

Where we stayed (and loved) in Rome:

• Laurina 33 – We loved the comfort and warm atmosphere in this little guesthouse not far from the Spanish Steps.
  
  
• Sophie Terrace Hotel – Comfy hotel with a rooftop terrace just 5 minutes from Termini; it felt like staying with friends.
  
  
• Nerva Boutique Hotel – A cozy, small hotel just steps from the Colosseum, with exceptionally friendly staff.

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

Can I buy Leonardo Express tickets at Fiumicino Airport?

Sure, buying the tickets for the Leonardo Express at the Rome Fiumicino Airport station is super easy.

You can do this on one of many ticket machines there - by cash or credit card, the process is quick (see the steps here!).

We love to go to the ticket windows, just a few steps from there. We get tickets in a minute - staff speaks English and is helpful. After getting your tickets, scan them to access the platform. Make sure you validate your tickets prior to boarding the train.

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

6 easy steps for buying Leonardo Express tickets at ticket machine:

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). 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.
   
   

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.

• Use the small green or yellow validation machines near the platforms.
• Failing to validate can result in a fine, even if you have a valid ticket.

✅ 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).

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.

Where to buy Leonardo Express tickets at Termini Station?

If you haven't bought Leonardo Express train tickets ahead of time, once you arrive at Termini Station, you'll see many Trenitalia ticket machines from which you can purchase the tickets.

We love to use the ticket machines located within the Trenitalia office, situated on the platform level (open daily from 6:30 am to 10:05 pm).

Once you pass through the office doors, go left, and you'll find the ticket machines. A staff member always helps us with the buying process.

Here are a couple of tips...

• If you buy a Leonardo Express ticket this way, it's open—so you can travel anytime that day.
• 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.

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

Do you need to buy Leonardo Express tickets in advance?

No, you don't need to purchase Leonardo Express tickets in advance. You can buy them at the train station or airport, either from ticket counters or machines.

However, we like to buy them in advance just for peace of mind—no waiting in lines, no fumbling with machines after a long flight. It’s one less thing to worry about when you land, especially during busy travel seasons.

Plus, it saves a few extra minutes so you can hop on the next train and get to Rome faster!

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 car transfer from Rome Fiumicino, 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.

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).
  
  

All Leonardo Express trains arrive at and depart from Roma Termini, the main train station in central Rome

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:

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-

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

Nerva Boutique Hotel

Another great option is the Nerva Boutique Hotel. To reach it, 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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