How to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome City Center

Leonardo da Vinci Roma – Fiumicino Airport is mainly known as ‘Fiumicino’ or by the code FCO. Rome’s main airport for domestic and international flights has four terminals: 1, 2, 3, and 5.

What is Important to Know about Logistics from/to Fiumicino Airport

What to Expect When Exiting the Terminal

After your plane lands at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), you’ll first proceed through immigration (passport control). Once cleared, follow the signs for Ritiro bagagli (Baggage claim) to collect your luggage.

These signs are easy to spot, with blue backgrounds and white icons, clearly guiding you through the terminal.

Once you have your bags, follow the signs for Uscita (Exit) or Train / Bus / Taxi to reach the transportation area. Most long-distance and shuttle services operate from Terminal 3, the main international arrivals terminal.

When you exit from Terminal 3, you will see Meeting Point numbers 2, 3, and 4 along the arrivals corridor. If you booked a private transfer, look for your name on the sign — your driver will be waiting for you and escort you directly to the vehicle.

If you decide to travel by public transport, turn immediately right at the exit and follow the signs toward the bus terminals or the Fiumicino Aeroporto railway station. Everything is well-marked and connected by covered walkways.

There are several convenient ways to reach the center of Rome from Fiumicino Airport — including trains, buses, private transfers, and taxis. Below, we’ll walk you through each option to help you choose the best one for your trip.

Trains

Price: 8 or 16 euros

Two types of trains can take you to the city center of Rome. The first and fastest option is Leonardo Express, while the second option is the local FM1 train. You can find the railway station outside of Terminal 3.

Leonardo Express

Price: 14 euros

The Leonardo Express is the direct train from the airport to Rome city center, with a frequency every 30 minutes. There are ticket machines, the official ticket desk, and several independent outlets that sell tickets for the Leonardo Express train.

It is the fastest public transport between Fiumicino airport and the center of Rome.

• The first departure from Roma Termini station is at 5.35 am and the last at 10.35 pm.
• The first departure from the airport is at 6.23 am and the last at 11.23 pm.
• Termini Station: all trains arrive and depart from platform 25, close to the left luggage office at the station.
• Fiumicino Airport: the station is part of the passenger terminal complex. There are several minutes to walk out to the station area, which is undercover with moving walkways.

Do not forget that you can’t use Rome public transport passes to/from Fiumicino airport on the Leonardo Express.

Get your ticket stamped in a validation machine just before entering the platform. It expires 90 minutes after validation.

By Regional Train FL1

• Price: One-way fare (to Trastevere, Ostiense, Tiburtina): 8 euros for adults. Do not forget to stamp your ticket on a validation machine before using it.

Another way to reach the city center is by using the city’s metropolitan train connected to the metro. The metropolitan train FL1 links Rome’s airport with Roma Tiburtina, Fara Sabina, Poggio Mirteto, and Orte.

The train leaves from the track on the left. However, it does not stop at Termini station. To get to the city center, you must get off at Tiburtina or Ostiense station to connect to Rome’s metro.

I recommend reading related articles:

• How far is the Colosseum from Rome airport?
• Which Rome Airport is Closer to The City Centre?

Buses

Price: from 6 to 7 euros

You can buy a ticket online in advance, so you will not have to wait in a queue before your departure. Moreover, online tickets are 1-2 euros cheaper. Of course, you have the option to buy a ticket for a bus that leaves sooner directly at the bus stop. However, it is a good idea to buy the return bus ticket in advance to ensure you will not be late for your flight. On average, buses take 45 minutes to get to the Rome Termini station from the airport in normal traffic conditions.

Terravision Bus

• Price: Single costs 7 euros per person if you buy online; 13 euros at the booth. 
• Website: www.terravision.eu

The cheapest public transport option between the airport and Rome’s city center (Termini station) is the Terravision Bus. The bus operates between 5.35 am and 11 pm.

S.I.T. Airport Bus

• Price: 7 euros per person online, 6 euros at the bus station
• Website: www.sitbusshuttle.com

The company operates between 5 am and 8.30 pm from Rome and between 8.30 am and 12.30 pm from FCO. The stops in central Rome are at Piazza Indipendenza (near Termini station) and Via Crescenzio (near Castel Sant’Angelo). The journey between FCO and Termini takes about 50 minutes. If you choose this option, it is better to arrive at your stop at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure because buses can come and leave earlier than expected. It would help if you also considered a substantial distance from Terminals 1 and 2, where all domestic and inter-Schengen flights arrive and depart.

Cotral night bus to and from Tiburtina and Termini

• Price: 7 euros directly on the bus, 5 euros if you buy the ticket in advance
• Website: www.cotralspa.it

It is a good option if you must travel to or from Fiumicino airport at a very late or early time because the trains and other buses do not work the same schedule. During the nighttime, the journey will take around 30-40 minutes. If you need to get from Rome’s city center to Fiumicino, the Cotral bus stop at Termini is at the main bus station (Piazza dei Cinquecento) in front of the train station, opposite the Museo Nazionale Romano.

Rome’s public transport stops running early – both lines stop running at 11.30 pm on weekdays, and it works until 1.30 am on Friday and Saturday nights. There are night buses around the city, but they are infrequent.

T.A.M. shuttle service

• The ticket price is 7 euros per person online. Open return tickets cost 8 euros per person. From Termini Station (on the right side as you face the station), buses travel between 4.30 am and 8.30 pm.
• Website: www.tambus.it

The shuttle service operates between FCO (Terminal 3) and Termini station from 8 am until 11.30 pm daily. It also stops in the center of Fiumicino town, at Piazzale 12 Ottobre, near the Ostiense train station, where you can connect to some Italo high-speed trains.

Private Transfer

• Price: 70 euros (no additional payment for luggage)
• Website: www.rome4.us
• My video review

You can order a private transfer from our website for 70 euros.

The driver will meet you at the airport and with him, you will be able to reach any point in the city quickly and comfortably. You can order a transfer in advance on rome4.us.

Taxicab

Price: from the city center to Fiumicino and vice-versa, 55 euros is a fixed cost. 

The fixed cost for the taxi fares from Fiumicino airport is valid only to Rome Aurelian Walls (The historical center of Rome).

You can always find white taxi cabs outside the passenger stations. Be careful. Sometimes taxi drivers can easily take advantage of tourists.

You have to pay attention to the details: there are prefixed rates, which you can read at the cab parking of the airport; to get more clients, drivers may try to go very fast, so don’t be afraid to ask them to slow down.

The price includes the luggage and is for up to four passengers, and is valid for both directions: Fiumicino airport to Rome City and Rome City to Rome Fiumicino airport.

So, make sure you are taking a taxi to the City of Rome. If your destination is outside the Aurelian Walls, the trip’s price is metered and may increase up to 100 euros.

Uber

Price: 80 to 130 euros.

Be aware that Uber prices can vary dramatically (for instance, from 90 to 108 euros). Get a fair estimate as a time of day or heavy usage raises the cost.

Rent a Car at the Airport Terminal

To rent and compare car prices before arriving at Fiumicino airport you can use www.rentalcars.com, which connects its clients to the biggest brands in car hire. This website allows one to find the best car options. Also, there is a possibility to rent a car in advance. For most car hire companies, the age requirement is between 21 and 70 years. On average, the minimum car rental price per day starts from 25 euros.

You only need a credit or debit card to book your car. Then, when you pick the car up, you’ll need:

1. Your voucher/eVoucher shows that you’ve paid for the vehicle.
2. The main driver’s credit/debit card, with enough available funds for the car’s deposit.
3. Each driver’s full, valid driving license, which they’ve held for at least 12 months (often 24).
4. Your passport and any other I.D. the car hire company needs to see.

Different car hire companies have additional requirements, so please check the car’s terms and conditions. Read more about renting a car in Rome.

Author: Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)