Rome is served by two airports: Fiumicino, the large international hub to the south-west, and Ciampino, a smaller airport to the south-east used mainly by Ryanair and Wizz Air. Each has its own transfer options, and the best choice depends on where in Rome you are heading and how much you want to spend.
From Fiumicino — Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO)
Fiumicino is about 30 km south-west of central Rome. Most intercontinental and major European flights arrive here. There are four terminals (T1–T3 for most international departures, T5 for US-preclearance and certain airlines), connected by a free shuttle within the airport.
The Leonardo Express
The Leonardo Express is a non-stop train between Fiumicino and Roma Termini, the city's main railway station, running the journey in 32 minutes. Trains depart every 15–30 minutes from early morning until late at night. The fare is fixed and higher than the regional train — roughly in the range of €14–€15 per adult one way. It is fast and comfortable, and Termini connects to the entire Metro and bus network. Buy tickets at the airport station, at machines in the terminal, or from authorised ticket sellers inside the airport (beware unofficial sellers who may overcharge).
Validate your ticket before boarding — there are yellow validation machines on the platform and in the station concourse. Unvalidated tickets risk a fine.
FR1 regional train
The FR1 (Ferroviaria Regionale 1) is a slower regional train that stops at multiple stations along the route to Rome including Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina, before continuing to Fara Sabina and Orte. It costs a fraction of the Leonardo Express and is a sensible choice if your accommodation is near Trastevere (southern and western Rome) or Ostiense rather than Termini. Journey time to Trastevere is about 35 minutes, to Termini via the FR1 route is longer. FR1 trains run frequently during the day.
Bus to Fiumicino
Several private coach operators — including Terravision and SIT — run shuttle buses between Fiumicino and Roma Termini or other points in the city. The journey takes about 1 hour in normal traffic, longer during rush hour. Buses are cheaper than the Leonardo Express, especially if booked in advance online. They can be a good option late at night when rail options are limited.
Taxi from Fiumicino
Official Rome taxis use a fixed fare between Fiumicino and central Rome (specifically within the Aurelian Walls). The fixed rate is approximately €50 — confirm the current rate on the official Rome municipality website or at the taxi rank. Always take an official white taxi with the meter visible and the Roma Capitale crest on the door. The fixed fare applies to the entire journey for up to four passengers with standard luggage. Journey time is 40–60 minutes in normal traffic.
Watch out for unauthorised transfers. At both Fiumicino and Ciampino, touts inside the arrivals hall may offer private transfers. These are often much more expensive than the official taxi and can be aggressive. Walk past them to the official taxi rank or the train station.
From Ciampino (CIA)
Ciampino is about 15 km south-east of the centre and predominantly handles Ryanair and Wizz Air flights. It is smaller and less well-connected by rail than Fiumicino.
Bus to Ciampino
The most practical option is a private shuttle bus. Operators including Terravision, SIT and Atral–Cotral run services between Ciampino and Roma Termini, taking about 40–50 minutes in normal traffic. Fares are low if booked in advance; slightly higher on the day. Buses depart from outside the arrivals hall and are timed to meet incoming flights.
An alternative is the public Cotral bus to Anagnina Metro station (Metro A), from where you can continue into the city centre in about 20 minutes. This is the cheapest option but requires the extra Metro leg and is less convenient with heavy bags.
Taxi from Ciampino
Official taxis from Ciampino also charge a fixed fare to central Rome (within the Aurelian Walls), at a rate somewhat lower than from Fiumicino — approximately €31. Confirm the current rate. The journey takes about 30–45 minutes in light traffic. Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals.
Arriving at Roma Termini
Both the Leonardo Express and the Ciampino shuttle buses bring you to Roma Termini, the main hub of Rome's transport network. From here, Metro line A and Metro line B intersect (follow signs underground), and a large number of bus routes radiate across the city. Termini is also the departure point for intercity and regional trains — useful if you are continuing to Florence, Naples or beyond. See our guide to Rome to Naples or Rome to Florence for onward rail options.
Which option is right for you?
From Fiumicino: the Leonardo Express is the default for most travellers — fast, frequent and direct to Termini. The FR1 is a better value if you are heading to Trastevere or Ostiense. Shuttle buses suit those on a tight budget or travelling when trains are sparse. From Ciampino: the shuttle bus to Termini is the practical choice for most people. A taxi makes sense for groups or late arrivals.
Rome's public transport within the city — Metro, trams and buses — is covered in the Rome public transport guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quickest way from Fiumicino to central Rome?
The Leonardo Express is fastest, taking 32 minutes non-stop to Roma Termini. A taxi can be quicker to some destinations if traffic is light, but is usually slower and always more expensive.
How much does a taxi cost from Fiumicino to Rome?
Official taxis charge a fixed fare from Fiumicino to central Rome (within the Aurelian Walls) of approximately €50 for up to four passengers. The rate is set by the city and should be displayed in the taxi — confirm it before you get in.
Is there a train from Ciampino to Rome?
There is no direct train. The nearest station, Ciampino, is served by some regional trains but is inconveniently located relative to the terminal. Most travellers use the shuttle bus to Termini, or a taxi.
Do I need to validate my train ticket before boarding?
Yes. All Trenitalia regional and airport tickets must be validated in the yellow machines before you board. The Leonardo Express ticket is an exception if it is a specific timed ticket, but in any case, follow the validation instructions printed on your ticket to avoid a fine.
Sources and further reading:
- Leonardo Express and FR1 timetables: Trenitalia (trenitalia.com).
- Official taxi fares: Comune di Roma.
- Shuttle bus options: Terravision and SIT Bus Shuttle.
- Onward rail connections cross-checked with The Man in Seat 61.