Italy Europe Transportation Travel Tips

Get From Rome Airport to City Center: Fast & Easy Ways

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When traveling abroad, there are many things you need to research and prepare in advance, because the moment you step off the plane, you may find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed. Take Rome, for example, countless tourists visit every day. But what if there were a more efficient way to get from Rome Airport to the city center?

Fiumicino is located about 30 kilometers (roughly 19 miles) southwest of Rome's city center. Although it’s not exactly close, transportation from Rome Airport to the city center is comprehensive and well-organized. We’ve compiled detailed information on express trains, taxis, and shuttle buses to help you get your trip off to a smooth and stress-free start.

How to Get from Rome Airport to City Center

When deciding how to get from Rome Airport to city center hotels or landmarks, you should consider three main factors: your budget, your destination within Rome, and how much luggage you’re hauling.

rome airport


If you are staying near Roma Termini, the train is almost always your best bet. If your hotel is in a neighborhood like Trastevere or near the Pantheon, a taxi or ride-hail might save you a long walk with heavy suitcases.

Here are the main transportation options from the airport:

 
Transportation Options Advantages
The Leonardo Express Fastest and most reliable
Regional FL1 Train Best for neighborhoods like Trastevere or Testaccio
Official Taxis Fixed rates and door-to-door service
Ride-hailing Service​​ High comfort and predictable pricing
Shuttle Buses The most affordable way to travel

Train from Rome Airport to City Center

This is the most popular and easiest option. The airport has a dedicated train station located right inside the terminal area. Just look for the yellow train sign to find your way there.

There are two distinct types of trains you can take, and picking the right one depends entirely on where you are going.

Leonardo Express

This is the fastest and most reliable way to get from the airport to Roma Termini. There are signs at the station, so it’s easy to find. It doesn't stop at any intermediate stations, meaning you don’t have to worry about missing your stop.

Leonardo Express
Spaghettifier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Ticket prices and times: A one-way ticket costs 14 € per person. Children under 4 travel for free, and one child aged 4–12 travels free for every paying adult. The total duration is 32 minutes

How to buy tickets: You can buy tickets at the Trenitalia desks, at the self-service machines in the airport station, or at tobacco shops. However, the easiest way is to buy them online via the Trenitalia app or website to avoid lines. Just remember to validate your paper ticket at the green machines before boarding, or check in via the app if you have a digital ticket.

 
Train frequency Trains run every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends and holidays
The first train departs from Fiumicino Airport 05:38
The last train departs from Fiumicino Airport 00:23
The first train departs from Roma Termini 04:50
The last train departs from Roma Termini 23:35

Regular Intercity Train

If you aren't staying near Termini, don't jump on the Leonardo Express! The FL1 Regional Line is often a better choice. It stops at several major stations, including Roma Trastevere, Roma Ostiense, and Roma Tiburtina.

Regular Intercity Train

Alessandro Antonelli, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ticket prices and times: It costs 8€ and takes about 30–50 minutes, depending on where you need to stop.

How to buy tickets: The process is the same as the Leonardo Express. Use the machines at the station or the Trenitalia app. Make sure you don't accidentally buy an FL1 ticket and try to board the Leonardo Express; they are different services, and the inspectors are strict.

 
Train frequency On weekdays, trains depart every 15 minutes. On weekends and holidays, frequency usually drops to every 30 minutes.
The first train departs from Fiumicino Airport 05:57
The last train departs from Fiumicino Airport 23:27

Taxi from Rome Airport to City Center

If you're traveling with your family, or if you're simply feeling tired after a long flight and want a comfortable ride straight from the airport to your hotel, taking a taxi from Rome's airport to the city center is actually a great option.

Official Taxi

Estimated cost and time: There is a fixed fare of 14 € for trips between Fiumicino and the area within the Aurelian Walls. This includes luggage and is for up to four passengers. It usually takes 40 to 60 minutes, but traffic in Rome is very heavy, and during rush hour, the trip can easily take over an hour.

At the airport, be sure to use the “Official Taxi” lane; white official taxis are lined up outside Terminals 1 and 3. Follow the signs, show your ticket, and get in line to board.

rome taxi


Tip: On the return trip, the driver may try to charge extra, citing reasons such as having a lot of luggage or it being the weekend. Be sure to confirm the fare with the driver in advance. If you hail a taxi on the street in the city, remember to insist that the driver use the meter.

Ride-hailing Service​​

Estimated cost and time: Prices may vary depending on real-time demand. The estimated fare from the airport to the city center is between €53 and €66. It takes about the same amount of time as a taxi.

Ride-hailing services can sometimes be a bit more convenient than taxis. Uber operates in Rome, although the way it works there is a little different from how it operates in some other countries. In Italy, you generally won't find "UberX." Instead, you will see Uber Black, Uber Lux, or Uber Van. These are professional drivers in high-end vehicles. In addition to Uber, there’s also Freenow, a merged brand of the former Cabify and MyTaxi, which may have a higher success rate for hailing taxis in Rome.

To find the pickup point for ride-hailing services, follow the signs for “Car Hire/NCC/Limo Service.” The ride-hailing driver will be waiting for you at the designated parking lot (such as Parking Lot B), which is separate from the regular taxi queue.

Bus Shuttle from Rome Airport to City Center

For those on a strict budget, the shuttle bus is the winner. Several companies run frequent services from the airport bus hub, just outside Terminal 3, to the city.

Terravision

Terravision is one of the most well-known operators. Their buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and have plenty of room for luggage in the hold.

Ticket prices and times: Around 6
-7 for a one-way ticket when booked online. The journey takes approximately 55 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

How to buy tickets:  You can buy them directly from the driver or at the booth by the bus stops, but it’s highly recommended to book online in advance. If a bus is full, people with pre-booked tickets get priority, and you might have to wait for the next one.

Terravision

CAPTAIN RAJU, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Car Rental

Unless you are planning an immediate road trip to Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, renting a car is generally not recommended for getting into Rome.​

The city has "ZTL" zones (Limited Traffic Zones) where unauthorized cars are fined heavily via camera. Plus, parking in the center is an expensive nightmare. If you do choose to rent, all major agencies like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar are located in the "Office Tower" linked to the terminals by pedestrian tunnels.

Whether you arrive at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, after collecting your luggage, don’t leave the terminal just yet. Follow the signs for “Car Rental” or “Car Park” through a long corridor or tunnel, and you’ll reach the Palazzina area, where all the car rental counters are located.
When you need to return your rental car, follow the “Car Return” signs as you enter the airport, locate the parking lot and floor where you picked up the car, park it in the designated area, and hand it over to the staff.

 

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to go from Rome airport to city?

The shuttle bus (like Terravision or SIT Bus Shuttle) is the cheapest option. Tickets usually cost between 6 and 7 one way.

How much is a cab from Rome airport to the city center?

The official white taxis have a fixed fare of €50 to any destination within the Aurelian Walls (the central historic district).

How much is the train from Rome airport to Rome city Center?

The Leonardo Express costs €14 per person, while the FL1 Regional train costs €8 per person.