You have arrived at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, after a tiring flight and the last thing you need is some confusion on your way to the hotel. You are hungry, may be jet-lagged, and simply would like to know an easy solution: what is the best way to get into Rome?
You are in luck, you can choose between a lot of options, and this guide has brought them together. We are going to compare trains, buses, taxis, shared shuttles, and the personal transfer, including the cost, the time taken, comfort, and convenience. You do not have to take hours to research and second guess your decision.
By Train
Fastest Option
Trains are the way to get to the city center of Rome when the Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in the city is involved, as they are the most appropriate choice in terms of speed, reliability, and cost. No traffic congestion, no stress, it is simply riding straight into the center of Rome. These are the two primary choices you have;
Leonardo Express
Leonardo Express is the largest airport train service in Rome and it is a very simple service that provides a direct link between Fiumicino Airport and Roma Termini, the central transportation hub in Rome.
Leonardo Express travels without stopping in between Fiumicino and Termini, and has you in the heart of the city within about 32 minutes. The rate of trains varies between 15-30 minutes in the daytime, as the first train is about 6:23 AM and the last one is about 11:23 PM.
The routine nature of the schedule makes it easy to plan. It is however somewhat pricier than the regional one, does not stop in between the airport and the Termini (and thus will not serve well in case one is staying outside the area), and may be crowded during the busiest times of the day.
Pro Tip
Termini Station is served by both Metro lines (A and B), which means that it is simple to get to any place in Rome. Here you can take a taxi, ride the metro or take a bus to your ultimate destination.
FL1 Regional Train
The Low-Cost Alternative
In case you want to save some of the euros or the place that you are staying is not within the Termini, using the FL1 regional train is an another option. This train stops a number of times in Rome leaving you with greater options on where to alight.
The FL1 train is a route whose journey is Fiumicino Airport-Trastevere- Ostiense -Tuscolana -Tiburtina and costs around 45 minutes to reach central stations. The trains are operating at 15-30 minutes and the one way ticket is only EUR8 per head.
This is the best choice when a traveler needs to save in terms of money every trip, everyone who stays in the localities of Trastevere, Ostiense, or Tiburtina stations, and those who have extra time and do not mind having to spend a few minutes more. There are convenient stops along the way, with Trastevere (approximately 30 minutes in the distance in the airport), Ostiense (around 35 minutes), is the closest one to Testaccio, and the station of Triburtina (around 45 minutes) is the second-largest in Rome and has connections to high-speed trains going northwards.
Validate
FL1 tickets also have to be validated prior to boarding unlike the Leonardo Express (which does not need the validation). On the platform you should find the smaller green or yellow validation machines which are usually either at the entrance or at the side of the platform. It is just a matter of inserting your ticket, wait a moment to be stamped and away you go.
By Bus
Cheapest Option
Shuttle Buses
Shuttle buses are your best friends in case you are in the budget mode of transportation. They are solid, cozy and will not empty your pockets hence the best alternative to be adopted by those travelers who are budget conscious and are heading to the city centre of Rome.
Time: 50-60 minutes (increasing with the traffic situation)
Tickets in two places:
Online: Reserve in advance and have sure seats and at times a little better rate.
In the airport: Buy tickets at special booths of the arrivals.
Departure Points: Shuttle buses leave well identified points outside the arrivals terminals of the Fiumicino Airport. Seek clues towards the direction of the “Bus/Shuttle” services.
Pro Tip: When you book a round trip ticket, always ensure that you check the schedule of returns. The majority of shuttle services operate their final bus shortly (approximately 9-10 PM) at the center of the city to the airport.
Operators:
Terravision: It is one of the most often used, popular departures.
SIT Bus Shuttle: Famous due to punctuality and comfort.
T.A.M.: Fewer daily runs
The three operators provide similar quality of the services, thus you can choose depending on the time and availability of your arrival.
By Taxi
The Least Stressful Choice
The distance between Fiumicino Airport and Rome central is about 40-50 minutes, under the condition of traffic. External taxi ranks are also distinctly indicated in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 and are readily identifiable as one gets out of the arrivals section.
When selecting airport transportation, safety is the key issue. The taxis of the official Rome are very distinct as they are white in color and the door has a symbol of Comune di Roma. Check that there is a lit roof sign in the official license number, and that all lawful taxis have working meters (although airport runs are done on the fixed-fare system not metered fare).
By Private Transfer
Pre-booked private transfers can provide a luxurious door-to-door experience to the travelers who want to have as much comfort and reliability as possible. The trip lasts generally 35-40 minutes and the services are especially suitable in groups, families with children, passengers with too much luggage or when the flights are in the late or early hours and other processes are not at the right time.
Privatization offers a number of advantages that make it worthwhile. Your driver will receive you at the arrivals hall with a name sign, and you will never have to worry on how to find your ride. No waiting around in taxi lines or surge pricing issues and the car is not shared by another party. A majority of the services have a free cancellation within 24 hours of your flight and child seats are usually free on request.
