Rome's Airports: A Comprehensive Guide To Air Travel

Rome has two airports: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino) and Ciampino Airport. Fiumicino is the main airport, with five terminals and 36 gates, and is where most major airlines will land. It is slightly further from the city centre than Ciampino, but has more transport connections. Ciampino is the smaller of the two airports and is used by budget airlines. It is easier to navigate and has shorter wait times.

Airports in Rome

Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

Fiumicino is about a 40-minute drive from Rome, and the train ride typically takes 30 minutes. Although Fiumicino is slightly further from Rome than Ciampino, there are more transport options available, making your commute a little more convenient. Being Rome's main airport, Fiumicino is better connected to the city than Ciampino, with several ways to travel to the city centre. Taking a taxi, train or bus will all get you into the city easily without the need for an airport transfer. Additionally, if you’re heading to Rome Termini Station from the airport, there are also Express Train tickets that will get you there quickly and conveniently. Bus tickets can cost as little as €5, train tickets average at €14, and taxis—the most luxurious option—can cost anywhere between €26-73.

Fiumicino has a reputation for long waiting times at baggage claim, but thanks to improvements by AdR (Aeroporti di Roma), the airport's managing organisation, baggage pick-up is now more efficient. Screens in the baggage claim area indicate the number of the belt dedicated to your flight, as well as the estimated waiting time.

Fiumicino excels in the quality of the services provided to passengers, technological innovation, and the functionality of its infrastructures. These records, combined with operational efficiency, have earned it the Best Airport Award seven years in a row, a world record. Fiumicino is also Italy's only airport with a Skytrax rating of 5 stars for its excellent quality of services. In 2022, the airport opened Molo A, a major new boarding area with 23 gates, dozens of shops and food outlets, and a collection of ancient Roman artefacts from Ostia Antica archaeological park.

Ciampino Airport (CIA)

Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport (IATA/ICAO: CIA/LIRA) is located in the town of Ciampino, just outside of Rome. It is one of two airports in the Italian capital, the other being Rome's main airport, Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO).

Ciampino Airport is much smaller than Fiumicino, with only 16 gates compared to Fiumicino's 36. It is used mostly by budget airlines such as EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air. This means it is much easier to navigate and you won't have to wait long to receive your luggage or get through passport control.

The airport is 12.5km (7.5 miles) from Rome's city centre, which is slightly closer than Fiumicino. The quickest way to get there is by taxi, which costs a flat rate of €31 to the city centre. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Termini Station in the heart of the city centre for just €5. There is no train station at the airport, but you can take a shuttle bus to Ciampino Station for a five-minute train journey to Termini.

If you're flying out of Ciampino Airport, most airlines recommend you arrive 1.5-2 hours before your flight.

Roma Urbe Airport

During World War II, the airport was heavily damaged by bombardments. After the war, commercial activity was transferred to the Ciampino Airport, and Roma Urbe Airport became a facility mainly used for flying club activities, touristic flights, and air taxis. Today, it is the base for the Aeroclub di Roma, Rome's flying club. The airport also offers services to private and general aviation flights and has a heliport. The airport facilities host the Rome Urbe weather station, the Aeroclub of Rome, and the AvioNews press agency.

Centocelle Airport

During World War II, in February 1944, after the Allies landed at Anzio, Luftwaffe's 1.Staffel and 2.Staffel, of Nachtschlachtgruppe (NSGr.) 9, were based at Centocelle. From there, they attacked Allied units in southern Latium, mostly during moonlit nights.

Rome's main airport is now Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, also known as Fiumicino Airport (FCO). It is located 20 miles (30km) from the city centre and can be reached by car in approximately 35 to 45 minutes. Fiumicino is considered one of the most punctual airports in Europe and has a Skytrax rating of 5 stars for its excellent quality of services. The airport features several shopping and dining options, as well as ancient Roman artefacts from the Ostia Antica archaeological park.

Rome's second airport is Ciampino G.B. Pastine Airport (CIA), located 11 miles (15km) from the city centre. Ciampino is a smaller airport that mainly serves budget airlines such as EasyJet and Wizz Air. It is closer to the city than Fiumicino, but there are fewer transportation options available.

Rome's airports: which is best?

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). Fiumicino is Rome's main airport, also known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport. It is the larger and busier of the two, with more than 43 million passengers passing through. Most major airlines will land here, so if you're travelling internationally, you'll likely end up at Fiumicino.

Fiumicino has five terminals and 36 gates. Both human and vehicular traffic is much higher than Ciampino, so expect longer waits for your luggage. However, there is much more to see and do in Fiumicino, with lots of shopping and dining options. It's also slightly better connected to the city, with several ways to travel to the centre, including by taxi, train or bus. The train ride typically takes 30 minutes, while the drive can take up to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Ciampino is the smaller of the two airports and its 16 gates mostly serve budget airlines. This airport is much easier to navigate, making for a more peaceful and straightforward introduction to Rome. It's a no-frills airport, so there aren't many amenities, but you also won't have to wait long for your luggage or to get through passport control. There are still plenty of options to get from the airport to the city centre, including by bus or taxi. The journey from Ciampino is a slightly faster and more scenic 30-minute drive, and there's less traffic, making the trip more reliable.

So, which is the best airport to get to Rome? Well, if you're coming from further afield on a major airline, you'll probably end up at Fiumicino. But if you're travelling on a budget, Ciampino is a fuss-free option. While Fiumicino has a slight edge over Ciampino in terms of offerings and connectivity, there are pros and cons to both. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you're in Rome, so get out there and explore!

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