Rome Airports: Which One Should You Choose?

which airport is best in rome

Rome has two international airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). Fiumicino is the larger and busier of the two, with more than 40 million passengers passing through each year. It is considered the main airport of Rome and has been voted the best airport in Europe for six consecutive years by the Airports Council International (ACI). Fiumicino is also Italy's busiest airport, with excellent facilities, dining options, and shopping opportunities. However, Ciampino Airport is preferred by travellers on a budget or those staying in the southern part of Rome as it is closer to the city centre.

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Fiumicino (FCO) vs. Ciampino (CIA)

Rome has two international airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). Fiumicino is Rome's main airport, with five terminals and 36 gates. It is the larger and busier of the two airports, with more than 40 million passengers passing through each year. Fiumicino is where most major airlines, such as American Airlines, Lufthansa, and ITA Airways, will land, so if you're travelling internationally, you will likely fly into Fiumicino. It is also the best airport to fly into if you are travelling from the US, as it is served by several American airlines and is located closer to the Colosseum (about 25 miles away).

Ciampino is a hub for low-cost airlines and is also a commercial and military airport. It is the better option if you are travelling on a budget. Ciampino is slightly closer to Rome's city centre (15km away compared to Fiumicino's 30km), but it takes about the same time to get to the city centre from either airport. This is because Ciampino does not have a train station, so you have to take a bus or train from outside the airport, which can take 30 minutes. Fiumicino, on the other hand, has a train station right at the airport, making it easy to get into Rome by public transport.

In terms of airport experience, Fiumicino has been voted the best airport in Europe with more than 40 million travellers for six years running by the Airports Council International (ACI). The airport has plenty of shopping and dining options, including the Made in Italy shopping centre in Terminal 3, which has over 50 shops, and the Eataly food court in Terminal 1.

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Fiumicino's facilities

Fiumicino Airport, also known as Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, is Rome's main airport. It is Italy's busiest airport, serving 40 million passengers in 2023. The airport has five terminals and 36 gates, with Terminal 3 being the largest and serving the majority of long-haul flights. Fiumicino offers a range of facilities for passengers, including:

Shopping and Dining

Fiumicino has been voted the best airport in Europe by the Airports Council International for six consecutive years. Terminal 3 features the Made in Italy shopping centre, with over 50 shops selling authentic Italian goods. Terminal 1 is home to the Eataly food court, which offers a variety of dining options, including pizza, wine, and appetizers. The Vini e Aperitivi bar in Terminal 1 is also a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers. For those looking for duty-free shopping, Terminal 1 houses the largest Aelia duty-free zone in the world.

Airport Lounges and Smoking Areas

The airport offers several lounges for different airlines, including British Airways, Alitalia, Air France, Italitour, and Cisalpina. There is also a dedicated small smoking room with a capacity of eight people, and seven additional smoking lounges located near the boarding areas.

Transportation and Accommodation

Fiumicino Airport is well-connected to Rome's city centre by taxi, train, or bus. The airport also has its own train station, making it convenient to travel to the city by public transport. Bus tickets are affordable, costing around €5, while train tickets average €14. Taxis are the most expensive option, ranging from €26 to €73. For those with a layover or overnight stay, the HelloSky hotel offers simple rooms that can be booked in three or six-hour time slots. The Hilton hotel is also connected to the airport by a covered walkway for overnight stays.

Other Amenities

The airport provides various other amenities, including ATMs, currency exchange offices, a tourist information office, a first aid station, and duty-free shops. There are also internet connections, fax machines, photocopiers, and a post office available at the Atahotel Executive Centre. Additionally, passengers can find a variety of restaurants and coffee shops in the different terminals, such as McDonald's, Pizza Chef, Harry's Bar, and Sport Village Cafe.

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Transport from Ciampino

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). Fiumicino is the main airport, with more offerings and connectivity, and is slightly better connected to the city than Ciampino. However, Ciampino is closer to the city centre, and is a hub for low-cost airlines.

The distance from Ciampino to Rome is around 9 miles (14 km) by train and 10 miles by road. There are several ways to travel between the airport and the city centre.

Train

The train is the quickest and cheapest way to get from Ciampino to Rome. The journey takes around 15 minutes, with the fastest services taking just 11 minutes. There are around 81 trains per day, with direct trains available. Trenitalia is the main operator of services on this route. Tickets start from $1.76 when booked in advance.

Bus

There is a direct bus from Ciampino Airport to Roma Termini Giolitti. Services depart hourly and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes. Tickets cost $7-8, with children under 15 receiving a discount. The bus is operated by Rome Airport Bus by Schiaffini Travel s.p.a.

Taxi

Taxis are available from Ciampino, but can be expensive.

Car

The drive from Ciampino to Rome takes around 21 minutes, depending on traffic.

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Fiumicino's train station

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). Fiumicino, also known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport, is the city's main airport, with five terminals and 36 gates. It is the larger and busier of the two airports, with more than 40 million passengers passing through each year. Fiumicino is served by 111 airlines flying domestically and internationally to and from 208 destinations across 76 countries. The airport has its own train station, located close to the arrival and departure terminals, called Fiumicino Aeroporto railway station. The station is managed by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) and train services are operated by Trenitalia.

The Leonardo Express train connects Fiumicino Aeroporto railway station with Rome's main train station, Roma Termini, in approximately 30 minutes. The train departs every 15 minutes from early morning until late evening. Tickets for the Leonardo Express cost around $18 each way.

From Roma Termini, you can access the rest of Rome by Metro or taxi, or catch a train to other Italian cities such as Florence, Milan, Naples, and Venice.

In addition to the Leonardo Express, regional trains connect Fiumicino Aeroporto railway station with destinations in Latium north of Rome, such as Florence, Genoa, Pisa, and Bologna. The station is also served by the FR1 metro service, which connects the airport with several other train stations in Rome, including Roma Trastevere, Roma Ostiense, and Roma Tuscolana.

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Fiumicino's awards

Fiumicino Airport, officially called Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino, has been recognised as one of the best airports in Rome and Italy. It is the main airport in Rome and Italy's busiest airport, serving as a hub for international flights, layovers, and connections.

Fiumicino has received numerous awards and accolades for its excellence in airport operations and customer experience. Here are some of the awards highlighting its reputation as one of the best airports:

Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards by Airports Council International (ACI)

Fiumicino Airport has consistently achieved outstanding ratings in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey conducted by Airports Council International (ACI). ACI interviews passengers and measures their perceived quality across various categories in hundreds of airports worldwide.

In 2025, Fiumicino was recognised as the "Best Airport in Europe with more than 40 million passengers" for the eighth year in a row by ACI. The airport attained a remarkable score of 4.61 out of 5, surpassing all other European airports surveyed.

In addition to the overall best airport award, Fiumicino excelled in specific ASQ categories, earning recognition for:

  • The airport with the most dedicated staff in Europe
  • The easiest airport journey in Europe
  • The most pleasant airport in Europe
  • The cleanest airport in Europe

Director General's Roll of Excellence Award by ACI

The Airports Council International (ACI) also bestowed upon Fiumicino the prestigious "Director General's Roll of Excellence" award. This award specifically acknowledges airports that have consistently offered excellent service, as evidenced by multiple ASQ/Customer Experience awards over several years. Fiumicino joined an exclusive group of airports worldwide in receiving this honour.

Best Airport in Europe with More Than 40 Million Passengers

Fiumicino Airport was recognised as the best in its category by ACI for eight consecutive years, from 2017 to 2024. This award is a testament to the airport's ability to maintain exceptional service standards, even during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic.

High Rankings in Passenger Surveys

ACI's passenger surveys, which allow travellers to rate their experience and the airport's services, have consistently placed Fiumicino Airport among the top-ranked airports in Europe. These ratings reflect the airport's dedication to customer satisfaction and the overall positive experience it provides to its patrons.

In summary, Fiumicino Airport's array of awards and accolades showcase its excellence in airport management, customer service, and overall traveller experience. Its reputation as one of the best airports in Rome and Europe is well-supported by the recognition it has received from both industry experts and passengers alike.

Frequently asked questions

Rome's main airport is Fiumicino (FCO), also known as Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. It has won awards for being the best airport in Europe for six years running and is Italy's busiest airport.

Fiumicino is a major international airport with modern facilities. It has good food, good signage, and lots of clean bathrooms. It has a train station right at the airport, making it easy to get into Rome by public transport. It also has lots of shopping and dining options.

Fiumicino is further from the city centre than Rome's second airport, Ciampino (CIA). It is also more expensive to get a taxi to and from Fiumicino.

Ciampino is Rome's second airport and is a hub for low-cost airlines. It is closer to the city centre and is a good option for those travelling on a budget.

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