Fiumicino to Rome: train, bus, taxi or car with driver

Five options in one table

Leonardo Express: the direct train to Termini

The train leaves from inside the airport every 15 minutes and runs to Termini without a single stop. A ticket costs €14, and children under 12 travel free with an adult.

The first train goes at around 6:08 and the last at around 23:23. If you land later than that, it's not an option.

It's worth knowing where it drops you. Termini is a big station, but not necessarily close to your hotel, and you'll still need the metro or a taxi from there, which adds both time and money.

FL1: if you're not going to Termini

The FL1 costs €8 and skips Termini. It stops at Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina, which is handy if your hotel is in Trastevere or near Tiburtina station. The ride takes 30–48 minutes depending on the stop, and trains are less frequent at weekends.

It's also the better line for the Vatican: ride to Trastevere and switch to city transport.

Buses: cheaper, but at the mercy of the traffic

Terravision and other operators run to Termini for €7–9. The journey takes 50–70 minutes, longer if you hit a jam. Buses do run at night, but there are few of them.

The bus pays off if you're alone, not in a hurry, and staying near Termini.

A taxi from the rank

Official taxis queue outside the terminal. There's a fixed fare into town of €55, provided the address is inside the Aurelian Walls, and the trip takes 40–55 minutes.

Two things to bear in mind. First, you'll have to wait your turn at the rank. Second, make sure the driver applies the fixed fare rather than switching on the meter.

A car with driver

You're driven by a licensed NCC driver, who waits in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. Terminal 1 handles mainly domestic and Schengen flights, Terminal 3 non-Schengen and long-haul ones. We work out your terminal from the flight number.

The car is parked close to arrivals: in car park B at Terminal 1 or car park PR7 at Terminal 3. We track your flight, and if it's delayed the pick-up moves at no extra charge. An hour's wait after landing is included in the price.

Central Rome is about 45 minutes away; the Vatican and Prati are 28 km, around 40 minutes. A saloon costs €75 for 1–3 people with 3 suitcases and hand luggage. A minivan for a group of up to 8 is €100.

That's €20 more than the taxi. For the difference you get a car that's already waiting, a price you know before you fly and a ride to the door with no queue. Motorway tolls and luggage are covered, and child seats are free. You pay the driver on the day, by card or cash, with no prepayment.

A hotel inside the limited traffic zone (ZTL) is no obstacle. Cars with drivers are allowed in, but a driver from outside Rome needs to register the plate in advance, so put the address in your booking.

What it costs for a group

The train looks cheap as long as you're travelling alone. Let's do the sums for four adults.

• Leonardo Express: 4 × €14 = €56, plus getting from Termini to the hotel.
• Minivan: €100 for everyone, suitcases included, straight to the door.

With children under 12 the train is cheaper, because they ride free. But with heavy bags and tired children, what matters more is how many changes lie ahead.

Late at night and early in the morning

Between the last Leonardo Express (around 23:23) and the first (around 6:08) there are no trains. You're left with the occasional bus, the taxi rank or a car booked in advance. That car waits for you at any hour, and you see its price when you book; it doesn't change afterwards.

What to choose

• Light luggage and a hotel near Termini: the Leonardo Express at €14.
• A hotel in Trastevere or near Tiburtina: the FL1 at €8.
• Travelling solo on a tight budget: the bus at €7–9.
• Suitcases, children, a late arrival, a hotel in the centre: the car at €75, or the minivan at €100 if there are more than three of you.

Back to the airport

The same options work from Rome to Fiumicino. With our car, the return trip is 10% cheaper than the ride from the airport. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before pick-up.