Rome airport transfer from Fiumicino to the city centre – Included what other websites don’t write

Welcome to Rome! After flying for several hours, we know first-hand how confusing and stressful it can be to figure out the best transport options between Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and central Rome when you’re jet-lagged, luggage-less, and in a foreign country. All travellers, before strating their jounrey in Rome asks:

How do I get from Fiumicino to Rome city centre? A fast answer will be by:

• Express Leonardo train
• Regional train
• Cotral bus
• Taxi
• Car rental
• Private car
• Shuttle bus

The goal of this article is to break down the pros and cons of the various transport choices available from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city centre so you can make an informed decision on the best way to get from the airport to the city centre based on your budget, travel style, and priorities.

We’ll compare travel time, cost, convenience, and other factors across trains, buses, taxis, rental cars, and private transfers. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to get to Rome fast, affordably, and hassle-free. Whether you’re a budget backpacker or looking to splurge on door-to-door service, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore your options!

1. TRAIN

Let’s start with what we consider the best solution according to the GoHandsFree team.

You will have 2 options:

The Leonardo Express

This train is the fastest way to get from Fiumicino Airport to central Rome without luggage. This direct train runs every 15 minutes and takes only 32 minutes to reach Roma Termini, Rome’s main train station.

The Leonardo Express is a non-stop service with no intermediate stops between the airport and Roma Termini. Trains leave from a dedicated station at Fiumicino Airport, just a 5 – 10 minute walk from the terminals.

Tickets can be purchased at self-service kiosks right before boarding.

A one-way Leonardo Express ticket costs €14 and can be paid by cash or card.

The Leonardo Express provides speedy and hassle-free transportation into central Rome. The fixed-price tickets and frequent departures make it easy to use. It’s ideal for those travellers who need to take another train departing from Roma Termini, but it isn’t the only solution for getting high-speed trains to other destinations in Italy. More high-speed trains depart from Tiburtina station which can be reached by taking the local FL1 train from Fiumicino airport.

 

Local FL1 Train – BEST SOLUTION

This train passes through Rome stopping at several train stations that can be strategic for starting to visit the city immediately after arrival, or before departure, and while waiting on the check-in into your accommodation that usually starts from 15:00.

This train runs every 15 minutes and takes between 27 and 52 minutes, depending in which train station you will get off.

The local train ticket cost only €8 per person with kids up to 4 years free.

The train stops in the following train stations useful for tourists:

• Trastevere
• Ostiense
• Tuscolana
• Tiburtina
• Nomentana

Each stop can be useful according to your needs:

• Trastevere, connection with city tram and regional train FL3 that with 1 stop will bring you to the St. Peter
• Ostiense, connection with underground line B and train to Ostia Antica
• Tiburtina, connection with underground line A, high-speed trains, buses with destinations all over Italy

In both the above-listed options, tourists won’t need to worry about traffic, which can be problematic in a chaotic city such as Rome.

 

2. BUS

Buses are a popular way to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city centre. The main bus operators that run this route are Terravision, Schiaffini, and SIT.

Online is not clear what happens when the space for the luggage is full.

Buses related to trains can be delayed due to traffic in Rome with the risk of arriving late.

– Terravision runs express buses every 30 minutes from Fiumicino Airport to Termini station in Rome. Online Terravision will write that the journey takes about 40-60 minutes, but the truth is that it will depend on traffic and a more realistic journey is between 75 and 90 minutes. Cost is €8 one-way. Tickets can be purchased on board.

– Schiaffini buses also run from Fiumicino Airport to Termini station. They depart every 30-40 minutes and also here, even if the company writes 60 minutes, the realistic journey will take between 75 and 90 minutes. Tickets cost €4 one-way when purchased online or €8 on board.

– SIT also operates a regular public bus service from Fiumicino Airport to Rome’s city centre. The estimated travel time written on their website is between 75-90 minutes, but due to traffic, it will be more likely between 90 and 110 minutes. Tickets cost €8 one-way and can be purchased on board.

Bus transport is an alternative to the regional train, but the luggage pain and stress remain.

 

3. TAXI

Taxis are a popular option for getting from Fiumicino Airport to central Rome. They offer door-to-door convenience and no need to wait for scheduled services. However, taxis can be quite expensive compared to other options.

With Taxis, the scam risk is at a mid/high level. Taxis tried to scam also GoHandsFree’s person several times. We will write in the upcoming weeks an article about scams in Rome and how to avoid them.

The typical taxi fare from Fiumicino Airport to central Rome is €50-70 for the 45-90 minute journey, depending on your exact destination. There is a flat rate fare, increased in April 2024, of €50 to destinations inside the Aurelian Walls (the historic city centre), while fares are metered for destinations outside this area.
To the rate, you will need to add the following extras:

• €1 per luggage, starting from the 2^nd luggage
• €1 per person starting from the 5^th person
• €4 if you do not take the Taxi from the taxi stand

The estimated Taxi cost with 4 persons with 4 small luggage will be €53 from Fiumicino to Rome, and €57 from Rome to Fiumicino airport.

Taxis can be booked in advance online or via apps. Alternatively, licensed white taxis can be found at the designated taxi stands outside each terminal at Fiumicino Airport or in the city. These do not need to be pre-booked.

While convenient, taxis are one of the more expensive and slower options for getting to Rome from the airport. The fixed taxi rates, traffic jams and tolls can add to the cost. For cheaper and quicker options, the train or a local bus may be preferable.

Moreover, as per the shuttle bus solution, the luggage pain and stress remain also with the taxi, plus the limit of check-in and check-out.

 

4. RENTAL CAR

Renting a car can be a convenient transport option between Fiumicino Airport and Rome if you don’t mind driving and navigating the city streets. However, it does come with some downsides to consider regarding cost, parking, and convenience.

The cost to rent a car for a day can range from €50-100 depending on the type of car and rental company. Do not forget the extra cost in case of car rental drop off in different location of pick up.

While the rental itself may seem affordable, you’ll also need to factor in fuel, highway tolls, and parking fees in Rome. Parking in the historic city centre can be extremely difficult to find and expensive, with rates from €30-50 per day at public garages. Driving and parking a rental car in Rome’s narrow streets and heavy traffic is also very stressful for those not used to it.

While renting a car provides the convenience of having your private transportation, the time spent picking up the rental, driving, finding parking, and returning the car cuts into your sightseeing. For airport transport only, it may be better to use a faster and more direct option like a taxi or shared shuttle van. Rental cars make more sense for those planning to take day trips outside of Rome or needing a car throughout an extended stay.

Overall, while rentals provide flexibility, the costs, parking challenges, and navigation difficulties in Rome make this a less ideal option for airport transfer alone. Travellers without much experience driving abroad may find public trains, buses, or taxis less stressful.

 

5. PRIVATE CAR

Private transfers provide door-to-door service in a private vehicle directly from Fiumicino Airport to your destination in Rome. This is one of the fastest but also the most expensive. Also, in this case, tourists will have some cons.

You book the private transfer service ahead of your arrival and a driver will be waiting to pick you up outside the terminal with a sign with your name on it. The vehicles used are typically luxury cars, minivans or minibuses depending on your group size.

The transfer is direct without any stops, taking approximately 45-90 minutes in normal traffic conditions. In the case of traffic, during the day the journey can reach also 120 minutes as the bus and taxi solutions. As it is a private service, you do not have to wait for other passengers and can depart straight away. The driver will assist with luggage and drop you directly at your hotel, apartment or destination in Rome.

Private transfers are significantly more expensive than public transportation options, with rates starting around €60 for a sedan for up to 2 passengers, and €100 for a minivan for up to 6 passengers.

As we wrote above, also in this case the luggage problem can arise in case of 4 or more passengers due to limited space, which will oblige to take a second car that will cost the same as the first.

The estimated cost in case of 4 passengers with big luggage will be €120.

 

6. PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO ROME

Rome has an extensive public transportation system that can efficiently get you between Fiumicino Airport and central Rome. This solution is the cheapest one.

The local bus service between different cities is called COTRAL and 2 lines departures from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city:

• Fiumicino Airport – Roma Cornelia Metro station line A
• Fiumicino Airport – Roma EUR Metro station line B

Usually, every 60 minutes departure a bus and the journey can vary between 55 minutes and 85 minutes, depending on traffic and which line you will take.

The best news is the cost because it is the lowest of all the above-mentioned solutions. The Airport-Cornelia line costs €3,40 and the Airport-EUR line costs only €2,80, with kids up to 1,50m (5 feet) tall are free.

Once you reach the underground station, you will need to take the metro tickets ( €1,50 or €2) and start to visit Rome or take city buses.

Without the stress of your luggage, thanks to the GoHandsFree service, you can enjoy visiting Rome free from the burden of your bags.

 

7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO OSTIA ANTICA

A separate paragraph is dedicated to Ostia Antica, because too many tourists forget to visit it, even though it is very close to the airport.

The best solution for visiting this open-air museum is to take the above-mentioned Cotral bus service that departs every 30 minutes from the airport and with a cost of €1,10 will take to Ostia Antica in only 24 minutes.

After the visit to this museum, if on arrival you can take the train to the city centre, or in case of departure you can take the Cotral bus to the Fiumicino airport.

If on arrival or departure, if purchased with our Fiumicino luggage transfer service to Rome, or vice versa, it is the best option to visit Ostia Antica.