In this blog-post I will show you the easiest ways to get from the Rome Fiumicino Airport to the city centre of Rome. I will show you three different options. There are many ways to travel for sure, but these are according to me the three easiest and best ways. In the end of the blogpost I will show you a comparison table for a good overview.
FCO (Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport) is located southwest of Rome, near the Mediterranean coast and the town of Fiumicino. It is not within the city itself but about 30–32 km (19–20 miles) from central Rome.
Rome Fiumicino Airport has two active terminals, terminal 1 and terminal 3.
Terminal 1 is used for domestic and Schengen flights. Airlines like ITA, Lufthansa, Air France, Ryanair, Wizzair, Easyjet and Norwegian operates here.
Terminal 3 is mainly used for non-Schengen flights, which means all long-haul intercontinental flights plus UK and Ireland and a few more countries. So here you will also see Ryanair and Easyjet, but also British Airways and all the airlines from America, Asia and the Middle East.
You can walk between the terminals. It only takes a couple of minutes.
1. Taxi
Official taxis from FCO to destinations within Rome’s historic center (inside the Aurelian Walls) have a fixed fare of €55, including luggage and all supplements. This fare is set by the authorities and should not change because of traffic.
Common tourist areas covered by the fixed fare include:
- Termini
- Colosseum
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Trastevere
- Vatican area
- Spanish Steps
Journey Time
- Typical: 40–50 minutes
- Rush hour: up to 60+ minutes
- Late evening: often 35–40 minutes
Finding the Taxi Rank
After arriving, follow the signs marked “Taxi”. Official taxis are:
- White vehicles
- “TAXI” sign on the roof
- License number displayed
- Municipality emblem on the doors
Use only the official taxi rank outside the terminal. Ignore anyone approaching you inside the airport offering a ride
2. Transfer bus
The transfer bus is a good budget option with a price of 9 EUR for a one way ticket. If you check online in advance, you can find even cheaper tickets. Travel time is similar to the taxi (35-60 minutes) and you will arrive at Rome Termini station. Several companies operate buses between FCO and central Rome, including services to Termini and the Vatican area. The companies operating this route is Flibco, Terravision, TAM bus and more.
📍 Where to Find the Buses
After exiting customs, follow signs for Bus Station or Regional Bus Station. Most airport shuttles depart from the bus area outside Terminal 3. The operators have clearly marked ticket booths and staff nearby.
👍 Advantages
- Cheapest way into Rome
- Large luggage compartments
- Direct routes to Termini and the Vatican
- No need to navigate the train station
👎 Disadvantages
- Traffic can significantly increase travel time
- Departure times are less frequent than the Leonardo Express
- If several flights arrive at once, buses can fill up
3. Express Train
The Leonardo Express is the dedicated airport train connecting FCO (Fiumicino Airport) directly to Roma Termini, Rome’s main railway station. For most visitors, it’s the easiest way to get into the city.
Key Facts
🚆 Journey time: 32 minutes (non-stop)
💶 Fare: €14 one-way
⏱️ Frequency: Every 15–20 minutes during most of the day
📍 Route: FCO Airport → Roma Termini (no intermediate stops)
Finding the Train
After baggage claim, follow the signs for “Train Station / Stazione Ferroviaria.” The station is connected to the terminals by covered walkways and takes about 5–10 minutes to reach on foot.
Buying Tickets
You can buy tickets:
- At ticket machines in the airport station
- At Trenitalia ticket counters
- Through the Trenitalia app
- By contactless payment at some gates and machines
Many experienced travelers simply buy tickets upon arrival because the price is fixed and trains are frequent.
My Recommendation
| Situation | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| First-time visitor | Leonardo Express |
| Solo traveler | Leonardo Express |
| Couple with light luggage | Leonardo Express |
| Family of 3–4 | Taxi |
| Heavy luggage | Taxi |
| Tight budget | Airport Bus |
Thanks for reading this blog-post. Here is a link to my YouTube video about the easiest ways to get from Rome Airport to the city centre of Rome.
