Rome Airport Transfers: How To The City Center

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino, the main international airport, and Ciampino, which is smaller but closer to the city center. There are various ways to get to either of them. Here we’ve put together a detailed guide to help make your transfer to the airport as smooth as possible.

Fiumicino Airport Transfers

Fiumicino Airport is approximately 30km distance from the city center of Rome, but it’s fairly simple to get to. There are a number of different ways to get there, ranging from trains to private transfers. Here are the options below.

Trains

If you’re traveling during the day and you don’t have much luggage, the fastest and best way to get into Rome is by train. The train station is located at a ten-minute walk from the Arrivals area and has two options for getting into Rome city. There is a third option called the Frecciargento, but it only goes to other cities in Italy, skipping Rome.

Leonardo Express

This train is a direct non-stop service to Termini station, the main train station in the city center of Rome.

The train runs every 15 minutes and takes around 32 minutes to arrive.
The first train departs at 6:08 am from the airport and the last at 11:23 pm (5:20 am and 10:35 pm from Termini, respectively).
Tickets cost €14 for adults. Children under 4 go free, and children between the ages of 4 and 12 go free if accompanied by a paying adult.

Regional Trains

An alternative and cheaper option is to take one of the regional FL1 trains. This is a great option if you are staying near the neighborhood of Trastevere, as the train has a stop near that area.

The train runs every 15-30 minutes and takes roughly 50 minutes to get to the last stop.
The train stops at the stations for Trastevere, Ostiense, Tuscolana, and Tiburtina in Rome. It doesn’t stop at Termini.
The first train departs at 5:58 am, and the last one goes at 10:28 pm (6 am and 11 pm, respectively, on Sundays).
Tickets cost €8 for adults. Children under 4 go free.

You can buy your train ticket for either train at one of the vending machines outside the baggage claim area in the airport or at the ticket machine or ticket counter in the station. Alternatively, you can buy a ticket online in advance.

Remember to validate your ticket at one of the machines along the platform before boarding your train.

Buses

A group of people wait to board an airport shuttle bus.

The most budget-friendly option to get to Rome is by taking the bus. Although it takes longer than the train (up to an hour depending on traffic), some of the buses also make more stops in the city center, which might make it easier to get to your accommodation before arriving at Termini.

Since Fiumicino is technically a different city there is only one public transport bus that can take you to Rome. The rest are privately-owned buses that run a faster route. There are five options in total to choose from:

Terravision

Departing from: bus station (outside terminal 3 Arrivals) – stall 14
Stops: direct to Termini Station
Tickets: buy either online, at the bus station, or directly onboard the bus. €6 for adults. Children under 4 go free.
Timetable: The first bus departs the airport at 8:30 am and the last one at 12:45 am (4:30 am and 7:20 pm, respectively, from Termini)

Rome Airport Bus

Departing from: bus station (outside terminal 3 Arrivals) – stall 15
Stops: direct to Termini Station
Tickets: buy either online, at the bus station, or directly onboard the bus. €6.90 for adults. Children under 5 go free.
Timetable: The first bus departs the airport at 5:40 am and the last one at 12:05 am (4:25 am and 11:00 pm, respectively, from Termini)

T.A.M.

Departing from: bus station (outside terminal 3 Arrivals) – stall 13
Stops: Roma Ostiense and Termini Station
Tickets: buy either online, at the bus station, or directly onboard the bus. €6 online, €8 at the station
Timetable: The first bus departs the airport at 5:40 am and the last one at 2:30 am (24h from Termini)

SIT Bus Shuttle

Departing from: bus station (outside terminal 3 Arrivals) – stall 12
Stops: Via Aurelia, Vatican City, and Termini Station
Tickets: buy either online or directly onboard the bus. €7 for adults
Timetable: The first bus departs the airport at 8:30 am and the last one at 9:55 pm (4:45 am and 8:00 pm, respectively, from Termini)

Cotral

Departing from: regional bus station at Terminal 1 – Arrivals area
Stops: Piazza del Cinquecento, Tiburtina Station, Termini Station, Cornelia Station, Eur-Magliana Station, Ostia-Piazza Sirio, and Ostia-Piazza Stazione
Tickets: buy at the news kiosk inside the airport or directly onboard the bus for a higher price. €5-€7 for adults
Timetable: The schedule varies throughout the week.

Taxis

Taxis may not be the cheapest option, but they are one of the easiest and most reliable ways of getting to the city center as quickly and smoothly as possible.

There is a flat fixed rate of €48 for all journeys that end within the Aurelian Walls, that is, pretty much anywhere within the city center. For destinations outside the walls, the ride will be charged by the meter. You can pay by either cash or card and though tipping is not mandatory, it is appreciated.

The taxi stand is located right outside of the Arrivals, with the taxis all lined up. Taxis in Rome are white and have a “Taxi” sign on their roofs. Beware of unofficial drivers trying to approach you inside the arrivals area. They will ask you if you want a taxi and then direct you to an unlicensed car where you’ll typically end up paying a lot more.

Private Transfers

A man in a suit waits for his passengers in front of a private car transfer outside an airport.

If you are traveling with many people, have a lot of luggage, or are nervous about getting scammed by a taxi, you also have the option to book a private transfer. This should be done before your flight so that your dedicated driver can pick you up in Arrivals once you’ve made it.

Like taxis, private transfers also have a flat fare, though they vary depending on the company you use and tend to be a lot higher in price.

Rental Cars

The airport is also full of rental car companies for those wishing to travel autonomously. Once you land, simply follow the signs to the rental car kiosks and choose one of the many companies that are available.

There are various options, from big companies like Europcar and Hertz to more budget-friendly choices, so you should have no trouble finding a car you feel comfortable with.

However, while having a rental car may give you more flexibility, it also tends to be a lot more expensive in the long run and may not be the best option if you only plan to stay within the city, as you can waste a lot of time being stuck in traffic and Romans are notoriously bad drivers. We would suggest renting a car only if you plan to travel outside of Rome.

Ciampino Airport Transfers

Although Ciampino is technically a lot closer to the city center than Fiumicino – at only a 15km distance – it doesn’t have as many transportation options as the bigger airport does. Here they are listed below.

Buses

By far, the easiest and cheapest way to get into Rome from Ciampino Airport is by taking one of the private shuttle buses. They take approximately 45 minutes and leave you at Termini Station.

Terravision

Departing from: outside the Arrivals Terminal – bus stop 1
Stops: direct to Termini Station
Tickets: buy either online, inside the airport, or directly onboard the bus. €6 for adults, children under 4 go free.
Timetable: The first bus departs the airport at 9:35 am and the last one at 11:40 pm (4:40 am and 6:55 pm, respectively, from Termini)

SIT Bus Shuttle

Departing from: outside the Arrivals Terminal – bus stop 2
Stops: Termini Station, Vatican City, and Via Aurelia
Tickets: buy online or directly onboard the bus. €6 for adults
Timetable: The first bus departs the airport at 8:30 am and the last one at 11:00 pm (4:30 am and 6:30 pm, respectively, from Termini)

Rome Airport Bus

Departing from: bus terminal outside the Arrivals Terminal
Stops: direct to Termini Station
Tickets: buy online, inside the airport, or directly onboard the bus. €6.90 for adults, children under 5 go free.
Timetable: The first bus departs the airport at 3:30 am and the last one at 11:30 pm (12:05 am and 10:00 pm, respectively, from Termini)

Train

Unfortunately, there is no train station connected to the airport. There is a train station called Ciampino, but it’s located in the nearby town, and it’s not recommended because you’d have to take a bus to get there from the airport.

Taxis

One of the fastest and easiest options, of course, is to take a taxi from the airport directly to your accommodation.

There is a flat fixed rate of €31 to get to anywhere within the Aurelian Walls, which encloses much of the city center. For anywhere else, you’ll have to pay by the meter. There is no extra fee for luggage.

There have been many reports of even official taxi drivers trying to scam unsuspecting tourists, so make sure you know whether or not your final destination lies within the city walls, and don’t pay more if it does!

Private Transfers

Much like Fiumicino, if you don’t want the hassle of having to argue with taxi drivers or the annoyance of having to wait for a bus, you also have the option to hire a private transfer. This should be arranged before you get on your plane to Rome so that your driver can be waiting for you after the baggage claim when you arrive.

The fixed price of the private transfer depends on the company you choose to hire with, though they tend to be quite a bit more expensive than taxis.

Rental Cars

Ciampino Airport also has a selection of car rental companies that can be found near parking spaces P6, P8, and P12 and can be reached by a free shuttle service to and from the terminal.

Once again, we don’t recommend renting a car if you just plan to stay in Rome, as it can become a hassle to drive around, however, it could be a good option if you intend to explore more areas of Italy during your stay here.