Vatican City's Airport: Does It Exist?

Vatican City is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims alike, with many flocking to see the Pope and experience the rich history and culture of the Catholic Church. While the Vatican City is an independent city-state, it does not have its own airport. Visitors usually fly into Rome and then make their way to Vatican City. This has led to the development of various transportation options, such as taxis, trains, and shuttle services, to cater to the influx of tourists and ensure they can easily access their desired destination.

Vatican City's closest airport

Vatican City is a unique and fascinating place, but it does not have its own airport. The closest airport to the Vatican is Rome Ciampino Airport, which is situated approximately 20 km away, taking around 20 minutes by road. Another option is to fly to Rome Fiumicino Airport, which is 14.9 miles from Rome and easily accessible from Vatican City by taxi, private transfer, express train, regional train, or bus. The taxi fare from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City is estimated to be between €55 and €70. The SIT Bus is a direct shuttle service connecting the airport and Vatican City and is the cheapest public transportation option. Additionally, Vatican City has its own heliport, providing another means of transportation.

Transport from the airport to Vatican City

Vatican City does not have its own airport. However, there are several ways to get to Vatican City from the nearby Rome Fiumicino Airport (also known as Leonardo da Vinci International Airport). The distance between the two is approximately 30 kilometres. Here are some transport options to get you from the airport to Vatican City:

Taxi

Taking a taxi is the most convenient and quickest option, as the service is door-to-door. The journey takes around 30 minutes, and the fares depend on the time of day, number of passengers and luggage, and the type of vehicle. The estimated cost is between €55 and €70. It is recommended to book your taxi in advance to get the best price and avoid unlicensed drivers at the airport exit, who are known to overcharge travellers.

Private Transfer

A private transfer is a good option for those who value comfort, convenience, and privacy. Services like Welcome Pickups, AtoB, and Daytrip offer private transfers with extras to make your travels stress-free. You can book in advance to get a fixed quote, and you can also request child seats and bring pets. The cost for a modern sedan is around €60, and a minivan transfer for up to 8 people is €81.

Train

If you're feeling adventurous and want to try the Italian railway system, you can take the Leonardo Express train from the airport to Roma Termini, the main train station in Rome. From there, you can take the Metro (Line A) to the Ottaviano - San Pietro station, which is the nearest stop to the Vatican. This option can be cost-effective, but it may involve multiple connections and navigating crowded stations.

Bus

Taking the bus is the cheapest public transportation option. The SIT Bus is a direct shuttle service connecting the airport and Vatican City. However, buses can be slow, and there is no direct route by bus.

The Vatican's heliport

Vatican City does not have an airport, but it does have a heliport, also referred to as a helipad. The Vatican City Heliport is a small, 25 x 17-metre rectangular concrete landing area, located 75 metres above sea level in the French-style portion of the Vatican Gardens. It is connected to a circular parking area.

The heliport was constructed in 1976 under Pope Paul VI to facilitate transfers between Vatican City and the summer papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. It is used for short journeys to and from Vatican City by the Pope and visiting heads of state. For example, on 28 February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI departed from the Vatican City Heliport for Castel Gandolfo, just hours before his resignation took effect.

Since 2015, the heliport has also served the Bambino Gesù Hospital in urgent cases to transport patients, personnel, and medical equipment. The hospital is one of Europe's best paediatric hospitals, and the heliport has been used to transport children, contributing to saving their lives.

Transport options and costs

Vatican City does not have an airport. Visitors usually fly into one of the two airports serving Rome: Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) Airport or Ciampino Airport. Fiumicino Airport, located about 30 kilometres from Vatican City, is Rome's primary international airport. Ciampino Airport, situated about 20 kilometres from Vatican City, has served as a civilian airport since the 1970s.

Once you arrive at either airport, you can use the following transport options to get to Vatican City:

• By train: The closest train station to Vatican City is Roma San Pietro, located outside the Vatican walls. You can take the FL5 regional train line from the airport to Roma San Pietro. From there, you can walk to Vatican City in about 10 minutes. The FL5 train line also connects to other locations in Rome, such as Roma Termini, and the coastal city of Civitavecchia. The cost of the FL5 train from Fiumicino Airport to Roma San Pietro is €8 for a one-way ticket.
• By metro: You can take the Metro Line A from Roma Termini towards Battistini and get off at either the Ottaviano or Cipro-Musei Vaticani stop, which are both a short walk from Vatican City. The cost of the metro from Fiumicino Airport to Roma Termini is €14 for a one-way ticket.
• By bus: ATAC buses pass close to Vatican City. For example, Bus 40 connects Roma Termini to Piazza Pia near St. Peter's Basilica, and Bus 64 connects central Rome to San Pietro Station. The cost of the ATAC bus from Fiumicino Airport to Roma Termini is €6 for a one-way ticket.
• By taxi: Licensed taxis and private transfers are readily available throughout Rome and can take you directly to Vatican City. The cost of a taxi from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City is approximately €48-€60.
• By car: If you are renting a car, you can drive from the airport to Vatican City via the A91 highway. The drive from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City takes about 30 minutes without traffic.

Closest metro station to Vatican City

Vatican City may be its own country, but visitors must use the Rome metro to get there. The metro is one of the most popular and cheapest ways to get to the Vatican. The closest metro station to the Vatican is called Ottativo, which is on the red line. From Termini Station, it takes 12 minutes to get to Ottativo, with trains leaving every 3-5 minutes. From the metro station, it's a 200-metre walk to the Vatican Museums, and St. Peter's Square and the entrance to the Cathedral are about 1 kilometre away.

If you are planning to take the metro to the Vatican museums, you must take the A line to Ottaviano. If you are closer to a blue line stop, take the metro to Termini Station, exit at Termini, and follow the signs for the A line. To get to the Vatican from Termini, you will travel on the A line towards Battistini, which is the last stop. It is six stops in total from Termini to Ottaviano and the journey from this point should take about 10 minutes. If you are switching at Termini from the B line, you will not have to buy a new ticket or pass through additional turnstiles. The metro usually comes every 3-4 minutes during peak hours but less frequently at night time.

The metro station closest to the Vatican Museums is called Cipro. The streets are smaller on this route, so you must pay attention not to take a wrong turn. The route from Ottaviano is slightly longer, but the streets are larger and more direct.

St. Peter’s Square has its own train station, Roma San Pietro. These trains are geared towards commuters and run in a loop around Rome from the Termini Station. From St Pietro, it’s about a 10-minute walk to St Peter’s. The Rome to Vatican City train time is around 11 minutes.

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