From Fiumicino to Rome
Fiumicino Airport (code FCO), also known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport , is located about 30 km from Rome, on the coast. It is a major international airport with five terminals and handles over 40 million passengers annually. Its official website is www.adr.it-fiumicino
It was officially opened in 1961 , although it had already received its first flights the previous year, for the Rome Olympic Games.
How to get to Rome? There’s a train station inside the airport, so this is one of the most common ways to reach the city, but there are other options. Below, we describe the main ones. At the end, you’ll find a summary table .
But first of all, here’s a map of the airport, showing the location of the stops for the different modes of transport.
OPTION 1. Direct buses (comfortable and economical)
Several bus companies offer direct service between Fiumicino and Termini . They all stop at the same spot, on one of the two curves at the airport, as you can see on the map above. Follow the signs for AIRPORT SHUTTLE, not the “Regional bus” signs, which lead to the regional bus stop operated by COTRAL.
Terravision
DIRECT FIUMICINO-TERMINI
Since reducing ticket prices, Terravision has become one of the most convenient, fastest, and cheapest options for getting to Rome .
- The ticket price is €6 (round trip, €11 ).
- Buses depart every 30-60 minutes , synchronizing their departures with flight arrivals. You can view the schedules in the options displayed when making your reservation.
- They go directly to Termini station , after stopping only in Fiumicino town.
- The journey takes about 55 minutes .
Conveniences: If your flight is delayed, your ticket is valid for the next available flight. You can also change the date on your ticket at no extra charge. If the name on the ticket doesn’t match the traveler’s name, that’s fine; it’s still valid.
Children: 0-4 years old travel free. When booking, you must also indicate the number of children aged 5-12, although they pay the same as adults.
Where is the bus stop?
At Fiumicino: at one of the two curves in the airport, as you can see on the map above (DIRECT BUS). Terminal 3, on level -1, Stop No. 14. You will easily arrive by following the “Airport Shuttle” signs.
At Termini: on the right-hand side (as you look at the terminal from the outside). Via Giolitti 38.
SIT Bus
ARRIVALS AT TERMINI AND OTHER POINTS
The company SIT (Società Italiana Trasporti) makes daily trips from the airport to the city of Fiumicino and Rome, with stops at Via Aurelia , Via Crescenzio (next to Sant’Angelo Castle) and Termini Station (Via Marsala, 5).
- Tickets cost €7 (round trip €13 ). They can be purchased directly on the bus (at no extra cost), at bus stops, and also online: BOOK NOW Children under 4 years old travel free.
- Timetable: The first bus leaves the airport at 7:15 and the last at 0:40. From Rome, the first bus leaves Termini at 4:45 and the last at 20:30.
- Buses run irregularly, every 20 minutes to an hour. You can see the exact Fiumicino-Rome timetable here and the Rome-Fiumicino timetable here .
- The journey to Termini takes approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. It varies considerably depending on the time of day and traffic.
The Company recommends arriving at the stop 15 minutes before the departure time.
Where are the bus stops?
At the airport: on the left-hand curve of Terminal 3 (see map above ). Level -1, stop no. 12. You will easily reach it by following the “Airport Shuttle” signs.
At Termini: Via Marsala, 5 (see image next to).
OUR RECOMMENDATION: The Terravisión bus has become one of the best options, thanks to its price, speed, and comfort. Click here to buy your ticket.
OPTION 2. By express train
Leonardo Express Service
DIRECT LINK TO THE TERMINAL STATION
It’s a convenient and fast option, although more expensive than buses. The Leonardo Express trains connect the airport to Termini Station (in the center of Rome), with no intermediate stops. They depart very frequently and on a strict schedule.
- Journey time: 32 minutes.
- Price: €14 (€15 if purchased at the Trenitalia ticket office next to the train). Children aged 0-3 travel free and do not occupy a seat. For children aged 4-11, one child can travel free with each accompanying adult.
- Four-person fare : If you buy four tickets together, it costs €40. Keep this in mind if, for example, five people are traveling. You’ll need to buy four tickets separately and one individual ticket separately. And if three of you are traveling (€42), interestingly enough, it will be cheaper to buy four tickets: €40.
- Frequency: trains run every 15 minutes during peak hours.
- Timetable from Fiumicino: first train at 5:38, last at 23:53.
- Timetable from Termini: first train at 4:50 and last train at 23:05.
- Fast contactless payment : the station has contactless readers, with which you can pay by credit card, mobile phone or smartwatch .
Where to buy tickets: You can buy them online at the Trenitalia website , at the ticket office, and from the station’s ticket machines. In Fiumicino, they are also available at tobacconists.
Locate the platform
At the airport: you won’t have any problem, because all trains depart for Rome.
At Termini , it’s important to know where the platform is if you’re short on time, because the station is very large. Trains depart from platform 24 (binary 24), located at the far right as you approach the station from the front (see adjacent map).
Validate (stamp) the ticket
Tickets purchased online already have the date and time printed on them, and do not need to be stamped: they are valid for 90 minutes from the indicated time.
You must validate your standard ticket before boarding the train using the machines located on the platforms. If you don’t, the conductor will assume you don’t have a ticket and you will have to pay a fine. You can find more information about this in our trains section .
Is it worth buying a ticket online? For travel from Fiumicino to Rome, it’s not recommended, because if there’s a flight delay, the ticket could become invalid. It’s best to buy it at the station. For travel from Rome to Fiumicino, you can buy tickets online.
More information
On the Trenitalia website: www.trenitalia.com – Leonardo Express
OUR ADVICE: It’s one of the best-known options, thanks to its speed and convenience, but it has become very expensive in recent years. The regular regional train (FL-1), and especially direct buses, are better options if you want to save money.
OPTION 3. By regular train
FL-1 Line
CONNECTIONS TO THE METRO AT VARIOUS POINTS
The train stops at every station on the line. To get a clear picture of the route and the stations where it connects with the metro, see our metro map .
The ticket costs €8 and can be purchased online, at the ticket office, and from ticket machines at the station. In Fiumicino, it can also be purchased at tobacconists.
To see if this mode of transport suits you, go to the Trenitalia website and enter your departure station (From: Fiumicino Airport) and destination station (To: Roma Termini) for your desired date. There you’ll see all the options, with their corresponding layovers and exact travel times. Some require a transfer at Trastevere station, others at Ostiense (where you could then take the Metro)…
Which train do I need?
When waiting at a station, pay attention to the platform (or “binario” in Italian) and the timetable. You’ll know which train is yours by the time it arrives, the train number, and the signs on the platform. Timetables are usually displayed on electronic panels and can also be found on the Trenitalia website. They are also announced over the public address system.
You can find more information about trains and online tickets in our relevant section.
Please note that:
Tickets purchased from vending machines and those bought at the counter do not have a specific expiration date, so they must be validated. “Da convalidare” means “it must be validated.” Small machines are available at the airport for this purpose.
At Fiumicino Airport, if you want to buy tickets at a counter, always choose the official one, marked with the blue signage found throughout the airport. There are also agency counters in the same hall where tickets are more expensive.
OUR ADVICE: The regular train takes about 25 minutes longer than the Leonardo Express, but it’s cheaper. Depending on your hotel’s location, it could also be a good option. However, since it’s not a direct train, it requires a bit more skill and attention to detail when making transfers.
OPTION 4. The cheapest formula
Bus service (COTRAL)
ARRIVALS AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN THE CITY
The cheapest option is the blue COTRAL buses (Consorzio Transporte Público del Lazio), which connect the airport to various stations in Rome. The drawback is that they have very irregular schedules and some journeys are quite slow.
There are three different destinations within Rome. You can identify them on this Metro map . Any of them connects to the city’s Metro network.
Eur Magliana station (Metro line B)
- Travel time 50 min.
- Ticket price: €2.80 (€7.00 on board the bus)
- From there you will have to use the subway (another ticket)
- Bus frequency: approximately every hour.
Termini and Tiburtina Stations
- Travel time: 1h or 1h 53′ (depending on the schedule)
- Frequency: 2 buses per hour
- Ticket price: €3.40 (€7.00 on board the bus)
- It’s only available during the early morning hours.
Cornelia Station (Metro Line A)
- Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Ticket price: €3.40 (€7.00 on board the bus)
Which one should I choose?
To see if any of these trips might interest you, visit the official COTRAL website: www.cotralspa.it , and select “Calculate route and fares”. Enter your departure station (From: Fiumicino Airport) and your destination station (any of the three listed above, or Roma Termini). It will then show you all the available options, including schedules, fares, and possible transfers.
Ticket price: As you can see, the tickets are very cheap, but beware! If you buy them on board the bus they cost €7.00.
Where can I buy them? In Rome, tickets can be purchased at tobacconists, kiosks, etc. At Fiumicino Airport, there is only one tobacconist where you can buy them. It’s near the bus stop itself. You’ll see a sign with a large “T” (Tabacchi) at the Délice Maison café. You can also see them on the map below.
And where is the bus stop? Follow the signs for “Regional Bus Stop” (the signs for “Airport Shuttle” lead to the direct buses ). You can see its location on this map. It’s very easy to find your way around, thanks to the large curve in the middle of the airport.
OUR ADVICE: This is the cheapest solution, but it’s complicated and cumbersome to use. Plus, you’ll almost always have to add a metro ticket to the bus fare.
OPTION 5. By taxi
Official taxis
FIXED RATE OF €50
A taxi ride from Fiumicino Airport to any point in Rome (or vice versa) has a fixed cost, set by the City of Rome, of €50 . This is valid for a maximum of 4 people with luggage equivalent to two large suitcases, and destinations are located within the Aurelian Walls (see map ).
It’s a fixed rate, with no surcharges for nighttime hours .
This fare is clearly advertised at the airport with signs, but before getting in, it’s a good idea to check that the taxi driver agrees with it, to avoid any surprises.
For destinations outside the city walls, it’s best to negotiate a fixed fare with the taxi driver, which should also include luggage handling. Otherwise, you’ll be charged the metered fare plus an extra charge for your luggage.
Illegal taxis. Be wary of anyone offering taxi service at the airport. They are always illegal (official taxis are prohibited). Taxis in Rome are always white, with the word TAXI on the roof and the license number clearly visible on the sides, next to the city’s coat of arms.
ATTENTION! You should also be careful with taxis belonging to the municipality of Fiumicino , as the fixed fare set by the City of Rome does not apply to them. Confirm the price of the trip before you leave.
More information can be found in our section on Rome taxis and on the official website of the City of Rome .
Private transfer
A PERSONALIZED SERVICE
There are many companies that offer private transfers between the airport and the city. We chose Welcome ‘s service .
The transfer from Fiumicino Airport provides a “5-star” service . It’s the most comfortable option because you don’t have to worry about a thing. The driver will meet you at the arrivals gate and take you to your hotel at your leisure, explaining some things about the city along the way.
Reservations made can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the transfer.
Summary table of all options
This chart allows you to study at a glance the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Travel times are calculated for the Fiumicino-Rome city center route. The calculation includes the average waiting time. If it’s the return trip to the airport, you should allow more time for a smooth journey.
| OPTION | PRICE | TIME | OBSERVATIONS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TERRAVISION Bus | 6€ (5.50€) | 55 min | It’s one of the best options. If you want to book, click here. |
| 2 | Leonardo Express train | €14 | 32 min | It drops you off at Termini. It’s the most direct route, but it’s become much more expensive. |
| 3 | Regular train FL-1 line | €8 | 1 hour 10 minutes | Although it’s not express and stops at every station, it’s also quite fast. |
| 4 | COTRAL bus (public transport) | €2.80 | 1 hour 40 minutes | It’s the cheapest, but the most difficult to use, and in some cases quite slow. |
| 5 | Taxi | €50 | 50 min | Supplement applies for 5 or more passengers |
| 5 | Transfer | SEE | 50 min | Welcome Service |
A little bit of Italian
A basic understanding of Italian will help you better understand the travel instructions and conditions you find online.
ROUTES, FARES, TRAVEL CONDITIONS…
Partenze DA Roma Termini
Departures FROM Rome Termini
Andata e ritorno
(Round trip)
Il bigglietto costa € 1,00 e si acquista sul bus
The ticket costs €1.00 and can be purchased on the bus.
DALLA fermata dell’aeroporto FINO AD Anagnina
From the airport stop to Anagnina
DA DOVE vuoi partire?
Where do you want to start from?
Dove vuoi arrivare?
Where do you want to get to?
Quando vuoi partire / tornare?
When do you want to leave / return?