If you travel to Italy, Rome should be on your list! Let’s first check my Rome Travel Guide for the practical side. Before we have a look at what you can see and do in this city.
Length of stay
In Rome, capital of Italy, you can easily spend a few days, because of the many historical places (the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, …) you want to visit. How to spend 48 hours or 96 hours in Rome?
Airlines
Alitalia is the countries airline. They offer the most non-stop flights. There are a few US airlines that also offer non-stop flights, like Continental (from EWR, Newark), US Airways (from PHL, Philadelphia). But always check their website.
Remember: non-stop flights are always more expensive. So, an alternative can be, to make another stop in Europe (like London or Brussels). Or somewhere else in Italy, for instance: Florence. Visit this beautiful city as well and take the train to Rome.
Airport
Fiumicino Airport “Leonardo da Vinci” (FCO) is located 32 km (20 miles) from the city center.
Ciampino Airport “G.B. Pastine” (CIA) is a smaller airport with mostly budget airlines (Ryanair and others) flying in there. This airport is located 15 km (9 miles) from the center of Rome.
Ways to get to the Rome city center
Fiumicino Airport
Train: Leonardo Express is a direct train between Fiumicino Airport and Rome Termini. This is the quickest and easiest way to get to the city center. It takes you about 35 minutes to get into the center of Rome. A ticket costs 11 euro/person/one way. Don’t forget to validate your ticket before you enter the train at the machines near the track.
This train runs every half hour between 6.30 am and 11.30 pm. Between 11.30 pm and 5 am, a Cotral night bus connects Fiumicino with Tiburtina station, stopping also at Termini Station.
There are other local trains (line FM1) you can take that are cheaper (5,50 euro/person), because they make more stops in Rome, it takes about 45 minutes to get to the city center (end stop isn’t Termini, but Tiburtina).
Bus: COTRAL runs a night service to Rome Termini and Tiburtina daily.
From Fiumicino: 1.15am – 2.15am – 3.30am – 5.00am
From Tiburtina: 0.30am – 1.15am – 2.30am – 3.45am
(Tickets can be purchased on the bus)
Taxi will cost you about 40-50 euros. Be careful: the only official and reliable taxi’s are white and identified by the illuminated Taxi sign on the roof. They use a meter, so check before you depart. It takes you about 40 minutes (depending on traffic). There are taxi stands at Fiumicino and Termini.
Ciampino Airport
Train: there is no direct connection from this airport into the city center.
Bus: SITbus shuttle : 5 euro one way, every 30 minutes.
Some of the low-budget airlines have their own buses. Terravision coach is an example. Coaches depart from Ciampino airport approx. 20 minutes after flight arrival. Journey time is approximately 40 minutes. (€8 one way and €14 return)
COTRAL operates a bus which connects the airport to the Anagnina Underground station (line A) and to the train station of Ciampino. From Anagnina, it is a direct 30-minute metro journey to Termini station. From the Ciampino train station, it’s a direct 15 minute connection to Rome Termini.
Buses connecting Ciampino airport with the center of Rome stop running at 11pm, so the only way to get into town late at night is by taxi.
Taxi costs between 30-40 euros. It takes you about 40 minutes to the city center.
Sightseeing
Leave this Rome Travel Guide to check out Places to Visit in Rome to have a look at the highlights of this city!
The best way to see the historic center of Rome is on foot, for sightseeing further away you can use public transport. You can already buy a ticket for 1 euro (bus and metro) and it is valid for 75 minutes on the bus and one ride on the metro or suburban train lines. A day ticket is 4 euros, 3-day ticket is 11 euros. (The most important bus- and metro lines go through Stazione Termini and bring you to Rome’s sights.) Visit the official website for more information.
Maybe you want to consider the Roma PASS . The Roma pass gives you 3 days free access on the public transport in Rome. Two free admissions, discounts at other museums and it also includes a map and a guide. The cost is 23 euros.
Enjoy Rome is, besides this Rome Travel Guide, also a good informative source if you’re planning a citytrip to Rome.
If you want to know the weather in Rome or when the bank is open, visit Rome Practical Information!
*: Prices accurate at time of publishing.
Leave a Reply