Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
near the track. Make sure the train you board is going to the central “Roma Termini” station,
not “Roma Orte” or others.
GoingfromTermini train station tothe airport, trains depart at about :22and:52past the
hour,fromtrack24.Checkthedepartureboardsfor“FiumicinoAeroporto”—thelocalname
fortheairport—andconfirmwithanofficialoralocalontheplatformthatthetrainisindeed
going to the airport (€14, buy ticket from any tobacco shop or a newsstand in the station,
or at the self-service machines, Termini-Fiumicino trains run 5:52-22:52). Read your ticket:
If it requires validation, stamp it in the yellow machine near the platform before boarding.
From the train station at the airport, you can access most of the terminals. American airlines
flying direct to the US depart from Terminal 5, which is a separate building not connected
to the rest of the terminals. If you arrive by train, catch the T5 shuttle bus
(navetta)
on the
sidewalk in front of Terminal 3—it's too far to walk with luggage.
Allow lots of time going in either direction; there's a fair amount of transportation in-
volved, including moving walkways, escalators, and walking (e.g., getting from your hotel
toTermini,fromTerminitothetrainplatform,theridetotheairport,gettingfromtheairport
train station to check-in, etc.). Flying to the US involves an extra level of security—plan on
getting to the airport even earlier than normal (I like to arrive 2.5 hours ahead of my flight).
The
Terravision Express bus
connects Fiumicino and Termini train station, departing
every 40 minutes (€6 one-way, €11 round-trip; leaves the airport from Terminal 3, leaves
Termini Station from Via Marsala—just outside the exit closest to track 1; one hour,
www.terravision.eu
). The
SIT Bus Shuttle
also connects Fiumicino and Termini (€8 one-
way, €15 round-trip, similar schedule and info to Terravision, tel. 06-592-3507,
www.sitbusshuttle.com
). While cheaper than the train, the buses take twice as long and can
potentially fill up (allow plenty of extra time).
Shuttle van services
run to and from the airport and can be economical for one or
two people. It's cheaper from the airport to downtown, as several companies compete for
this route; by surveying the latest deals, you should be able to snare a ride into town for
around €10. To get from your hotel to the airport, consider Rome Airport Shuttle (€25/1
person, extra people-€6 each, by reservation only, tel. 06-4201-4507 or 06-4201-3469,
A
taxi
between Fiumicino and downtown Rome takes 45 minutes in normal traffic (for
Avoid unmarked, unmetered taxis; these guys will try to tempt you away from the taxi-stand
lineup by offering an immediate (rip-off) ride. Rome's and Fiumicino's official taxis have a
fixed rate to and from the airport (€48 for up to four people with bags).
CabbiesnotbasedinRomeorFiumicinoareallowedtocharge€70fortheride.Thatsign
is posted next to the €48-fare sign—confusing many tourists and allowing dishonest cabbies
to overcharge. It's best to use a Rome city cab, with the “SPQR” shield on the door. They
