Getting Around: Best Deals to and from Rome Airport

NAVIGATING ROME 

The Easiest and Cheapest Ways to Get from the Rome Airport to the City

Until recently, travellers landing in Rome’s main airport in Fiumicino had only two options for getting into the city: train or taxi. But now there are alternatives that could be more convenient. Here are a few insider tips to help you decide.

The Leonardo Express train  runs every half hour to and from Rome’s Termini train station at a cost of 14 euro one-way. 

Although service is guaranteed even during strikes, in November 2012 copper theft (a not uncommon occurrence and frequent contributor to train delays) caused the line to shut down and created chaos for travelers. Another factor to consider, especially for those with lots of luggage, is that this train arrives at a track 500 meters (1/3 mile) from the main train station and connections to taxis and public transport.

Taxis are a convenient, if pricey, way to reach your destination. Rates increased in 2012 and the fixed, all inclusive fare from the airport to central Rome is 48 euro. 

Some taxis may charge less but add on for extra luggage or more than four passengers. This detailed fact sheet  published by the City of Rome can help unravel the idiosyncrasies of Roman taxi fares. (English version on page 2). One phrase that may be puzzling to some travelers is the frequent reference to “inside the Aurelian Walls”. This refers to the the zoning confines of the city center, which are demarcated by the ancient walls (over 65% percent of which are still in place) that once contained the entire city of Rome.

A word of caution: some taxi drivers, both authorized and unauthorized, may try to take advantage of dazed, jet-lagged travellers by quoting higher prices and extra add-ons, and they usually get away with it. Always insist on using the meter in the city, and no ride within the center should cost more than 20 euro. (Average rides are between 6 and 14 euro when taken from a taxi-stand). Tips are appreciated, but not obligatory.

A number of private bus companies now offer non-stop service between Fiumicino and Termini station at a very competitive price, just 4 or 5 euro one-way. 

The buses do not run as frequently as the trains, and take a little longer, depending on traffic (40-55 minutes as compared to 30 minutes by train), they stop at the same place at the airport, making it easy to hop on whichever one is leaving first (tickets can be bought on board). Some of these companies, which are reliable and have been operating for some time, do not have a very searchable online profile (especially in English) so it can be easy to miss the savings. Here are four of them: Terravision, Atral, S.I.T., and T.A.M..All buslines also offer service to and from Ciampino Airport.

Last, but not least, the cheapest door-to-door transport in Rome is AirportShuttle offering transfers at 25 euro for one person and 5-6 euro for each additional person.

At these rates, this service (the only one of its kind in Rome) is one of the best deals going, although you will be riding with a group of other passengers and cannot expect the rapid service of a private taxi.