Airports In Rome: Your Gateway To Italy

Rome, Italy, is served by two airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). Fiumicino, also known as Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, is the city's main airport and the largest in Italy. It is located 18 miles from Rome's city centre and serves almost all major airlines, including American Airlines, Lufthansa, and ITA Airways. Ciampino, on the other hand, is a smaller, no-frills airport located 16 miles from the city centre. It tends to serve budget airlines from European destinations and has fewer crowds than Fiumicino. Both airports offer various transportation options to get to the city centre, including buses, trains, and taxis.

Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

Fiumicino Airport boasts five terminals, including Terminal 3 (T3), dedicated to international flights, and Terminal 1 (T1), catering to Italian domestic flights. The airport has undergone significant expansion and refurbishment, with the addition of Molo A, a new boarding area featuring 23 gates and an array of shopping and dining options. Terminal E also houses a food court with various culinary delights, and the airport's tax-free mall offers over 50 renowned Italian and international brands.

Several transport options are available to get to Rome's city centre from Fiumicino Airport. The Leonardo Express train provides a direct connection to Roma Termini Station in 32 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes and tickets priced at €14 each way. Shuttle buses, such as Terravision and SitBus Shuttle, offer an affordable alternative with tickets starting at €6, while taxis provide a more luxurious option with fares ranging from €26 to €73.

For added convenience, private transfers can be booked in advance, and the airport offers free WiFi (AIRPORT FREE WIFI) to all passengers. Fiumicino Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before departure for domestic European flights and 2.5 hours for flights to the US and Canada to ensure a smooth check-in process.

Ciampino Airport (CIA)

Ciampino Airport is considered a low-cost airport, with several budget airlines operating from its single terminal. It is the 10th busiest airport in Italy, with nearly 6 million passengers passing through its gates annually. The airport is also used by express logistics companies such as DHL, by official flights of the Italian Government, and by dignitaries visiting the Italian capital.

Ciampino Airport offers various amenities, including banks and ATMs, parking lots, and wireless internet access. There are also several shops and service facilities within the terminal. The departures area consists of a main hall with 31 check-in counters and 16 departure gates, while the arrivals area has a separate entrance with four baggage belts.

Transportation to and from the airport is readily available, with buses, trains, and taxis providing connections to the city centre. Bus tickets are affordable, starting at €5, and buses depart from the airport to Termini Station in the heart of Rome. Although there is no train station at the airport, Ciampino Station is just a short shuttle bus ride away. Taxis are also available outside the terminal, but passengers should be aware of potential overcharging.

Transport options to Rome city centre

Rome has two airports: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino) and Giovan Battista Pastine International Airport (Ciampino). Fiumicino is the larger and busier of the two, with more than 43 million passengers passing through each year. It is also further from the city centre, at a distance of about 30km. Ciampino is Rome's smaller and less busy airport, located about 15km from the city centre.

There are several transport options to get from either airport to Rome's city centre. Here are some of the most popular choices:

By Train

The Leonardo Express train connects Fiumicino Airport to Roma Termini Station in the city centre in about 32 minutes, with no intermediate stops. The train runs every 15 minutes and costs €14-€17.90 each way. From Roma Termini, you can connect to the rest of the city via subway lines.

Ciampino Airport does not have its own train station, but you can take a shuttle bus to Ciampino Station, which is about a 5-minute ride away. From there, trains run every 30 minutes to Roma Termini Station, taking around 15 minutes and costing about €1.50 one way.

By Bus

Both Fiumicino and Ciampino airports offer shuttle bus services to the city centre. Bus tickets are typically cheaper than train tickets, ranging from €5-€7 for adults. The journey by bus can take up to an hour, depending on traffic. Some recommended bus services include Terravision, SIT, Romeairportbus-Schiaffini, and T.A.M. Shuttle Bus.

By Taxi

Taking a taxi from either airport is a convenient and quick option, but it is more expensive. A taxi from Fiumicino Airport to the city centre will cost approximately €50, while a taxi from Ciampino Airport will cost around €35. The price may be higher if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling in the evening.

By Car

Both airports have car rental services available, but driving in Rome can be challenging due to traffic and parking constraints. It is recommended to consider renting a car only if you plan to travel outside the city, as you can save time and money by using public transportation within Rome.

Shopping and dining options

Rome has two airports: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, also known as Fiumicino Airport (FCO), and Ciampino Airport (CIA). Fiumicino is the larger and busier of the two, with more than 43 million passengers passing through its gates. It is the main airport in Rome and is located further from the city centre than Ciampino.

Fiumicino Airport has a wide range of shopping and dining options. Terminal E has an airside food court with a variety of eateries, including fresh pasta, Roman-style porchetta, pizza, coffee, and gelato. Most eateries can package food for you to take on your flight. The airport also has a tax-free mall with over 50 retail stores, including luxury Italian brands such as Bulgari, Armani, and Ermenegildo Zegna. There are a total of 140 stores in the airport, with Terminals 1 and 3 offering the most shopping options. Terminal 1 (T1) has a variety of coffee shops, including some in the luminous gate departure area, and it is also home to Ottobot, an autonomous delivery robot dog that brings purchases to passengers at their gates. Terminal 3 (T3) features the Tax-Free Mall, with boutiques such as Gallo, Intimissimi, Bodega Veneta, Bulgari, Fendi, Gucci, and Hermes. T3 also boasts futuristic architecture, including a "cracked" matrix ceiling and open spaces.

Both terminals offer lounges, including ITA Lounge Piazza Venezia and Star Alliance in T1, and Plaza Premium Lounge in T3. Fiumicino also has the only Eataly in an airport, and passengers can enjoy a selection of ancient Roman artefacts from Ostia Antica.

Ciampino Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller and simpler airport with fewer crowds. While it may not have the same extensive shopping and dining options as Fiumicino, it still offers some basic amenities. There are a few cafes and restaurants in Ciampino, and it is known for being easier to navigate and more efficient for luggage retrieval and passport control.

Terminals and gates

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). Fiumicino, also known as Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, is the city's main airport and the largest in Italy. It has five terminals and 36 gates, though one source states that it has four terminals, three of which are in the same building. Terminal 5, which serves passengers from the US and Israel, is accessible via a short shuttle bus ride. Terminal 1 is operated largely by Air Italia and caters to domestic and some international flights, while Terminal 2 is the larger of the two and hosts more international airlines. Terminal 3 serves all other airlines, including large international carriers such as El Al, United, Lufthansa, Iberia, and Thai. Fiumicino Airport has a railway station located within the airport area, and the Leonardo Express train takes passengers to the Rome city centre in around 30 minutes. The airport also has a taxi service and is connected to the city centre by bus.

Ciampino, also known as Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport, is Rome's second airport and is located to the southeast of the city. It is smaller and less crowded than Fiumicino, making it a good option for travellers on a budget. Ciampino has one terminal and does not generally serve overseas flights. The nearest train station, Ciampino Station, is a five-minute shuttle bus ride away. The airport is a 30-minute drive from the city centre, and buses are also available to take passengers to the centre.

Frequently asked questions