Rome Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

Rome, the Eternal City, is served by two main international airports that handle its substantial tourist and business traffic. Unlike single-hub cities, Rome splits its air traffic between a primary modern airport and a older, city-center alternative, each serving different airline alliances and traveler needs. They are located on opposite sides of the metropolitan area.

Understanding which airport you are using is critical when planning transport, accommodation, and connection times. This guide explains both airports serving Rome, including IATA codes, terminal layouts, and clear explanations of how to get to and from each one efficiently.

Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) – Leonardo da Vinci

Overview: Rome Fiumicino “Leonardo da Vinci” Airport is Rome’s primary international airport and the busiest in Italy. Located approximately 35 km (22 miles) southwest of Rome’s historic center, near the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. It is the main hub for ITA Airways (Italy’s flag carrier) and handles the vast majority of intercontinental and European flights.

Terminals:

• Terminal 1: Mainly used for domestic and Schengen-area flights by ITA Airways and some partners.
• Terminal 3: The largest terminal, handling most international long-haul and non-Schengen flights (including ITA, SkyTeam, and many Star Alliance & oneworld carriers).
• Terminal 5: Occasionally used for some non-Schengen flights, but largely historical; most operations have moved to T3.

Terminals 1 and 3 are connected airside and are essentially one large building. A free shuttle bus connects to Terminal 5 when needed.

Getting to and from FCO Airport:

• Leonardo Express Train (non-stop airport train):
  A dedicated, non-stop service running directly between Fiumicino Airport and Roma Termini, Rome’s main central railway station. Journey time is 32 minutes. Trains depart every 15-30 minutes. This is the fastest rail option to the city center.
• FL1 Regional Train (commuter rail):
  A cheaper, slower regional train that makes multiple stops across Rome, including Trastevere, Ostiense, and Tiburtina stations. Useful if your accommodation is near one of these stops. Journey to Trastevere is about 25 minutes.
• Taxis / Ride-hailing (Uber, FreeNow):
  Official taxis (white with “TAXI” sign) are available at designated ranks. The fare to Rome’s historic center (within the Aurelian Walls) is a fixed rate of €50. Ride-hailing apps operate but may be more expensive. Journey time is 45-60+ minutes depending on traffic.
• Bus (Terravision, SitBus, TAM, etc.):
  Several private bus companies offer service to Roma Termini and other hubs. Fares are cheap (€6-€8), but travel time can be over 60 minutes due to traffic, and queues can be long. A budget option best for lighter travelers.
• Car Rental:
  All major companies are located in the multi-level Rental Car Center, a short shuttle bus ride from the terminals.

Best for: Long-haul international flights, major airline connections, ITA Airways hub, travelers with lots of luggage, and those who prioritize reliability.

Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA)

Overview: Rome Ciampino Airport is the city’s secondary airport, located approximately 15 km (9 miles) southeast of the city center. It is predominantly used by low-cost carriers, especially Ryanair and Wizz Air, for European and domestic routes. It is much smaller and older than Fiumicino but can be more convenient for some parts of the city.

Terminals:

• Single Passenger Terminal: A compact, single-building terminal handling both arrivals and departures for all airlines.

Getting to and from CIA Airport:

• Bus + Metro/Train: The most common method. Take a dedicated airport bus (Terravision, SitBus, etc.) to Anagnina Metro Station (Line A), which takes about 15 minutes. From Anagnina, take the Metro into the city center (e.g., to Termini). Alternatively, buses go directly to Roma Termini (approx. 40-60 mins depending on traffic).
• Train (Regional):
  You can walk (15-20 mins) or take a local ATAC bus (line 720) to Ciampino town’s railway station, then take a regional train (FL4, FL6, or FL8) to Roma Termini (about 15 mins). This is often faster than the bus if traffic is heavy, but involves more steps.
• Taxi / Ride-hailing:
  Official taxis are available. The fixed fare to the city center (within the Aurelian Walls) is €31. Journey time is 30-50 minutes.
• Bus (Direct to Termini):
  Companies like Terravision and SitBus offer direct, low-cost coach service to Roma Termini. The journey is heavily traffic-dependent.

Best for: Low-cost European flights, short city breaks, travelers with light luggage, and those staying in southeast Rome.

Which Rome Airport Should You Choose?

Your choice is often dictated by your airline and route:

Fiumicino (FCO) is your arrival point for all flights from outside Europe (USA, Asia, Middle East, etc.), for most major network carriers (ITA, Delta, American, Lufthansa, etc.), and for the widest selection of European destinations. It’s best for most travelers, especially those on longer journeys or with connections.

Ciampino (CIA) is almost exclusively for low-cost European flights on Ryanair and Wizz Air. It can be a good choice for quick European trips due to its proximity to the city, but factor in the often less convenient ground transport compared to FCO’s direct train.

Rule of Thumb: If the fare and schedule are similar, Fiumicino is generally the less stressful option due to superior, more predictable ground transport links (the Leonardo Express).

Airport Transfers Between FCO and CIA

Transferring between Rome’s airports is a realistic scenario for travelers connecting from a long-haul flight at FCO to a European budget flight at CIA, or vice-versa. They are completely separate facilities with no airside connection.

Is it safe to book separate tickets connecting FCO and CIA?
It is high-risk without a very long layover. You must clear immigration and customs (if arriving from outside Schengen), collect all luggage, exit the secure area, and travel across the city. Roman traffic is notoriously unpredictable.

Minimum Recommended Connection Time: If you must do this transfer on separate tickets, allow at least 5-6 hours between your scheduled arrival at the first airport and departure from the second.

Transfer Time & Distance: The airports are about 45 km (28 miles) apart. The journey can take anywhere from 50 minutes to 2+ hours, depending entirely on traffic.

Best Transfer Options (FCO ↔ CIA):

• Official Taxi or Pre-booked Private Transfer:
  The most reliable road option. A taxi will cost €50-€80+ and take 50-90 minutes. A pre-booked private transfer provides certainty.
• Bus + Train (Budget Option):
  From FCO, take the FL1 regional train to Roma Trastevere station (20 mins). From Trastevere, take another FL1 train towards Ciampino/Frascati, and get off at Ciampino town station (15 mins). Finally, take the local ATAC bus 720 or walk to Ciampino Airport (15-20 mins). Total cost is low (under €15), but the journey is complex and time-consuming (1.5-2 hours).
• Ride-hailing (Uber, FreeNow):
  Can be booked but is subject to traffic delays and variable pricing.

Airport-to-City-Center Comparison:

• To Roma Termini (Main Station): FCO’s Leonardo Express (32 mins, €14) is vastly superior to CIA’s bus (40-70 mins, €6-€8).
• To Vatican Area: From FCO, take FL1 train to Roma Trastevere (~20 mins). From CIA, take bus to Anagnina then Metro to Ottaviano (~50 mins).

Bottom line: Whenever possible, book your entire itinerary to arrive at and depart from the same Rome airport. If flying internationally into FCO and then taking a European flight, try to book the European leg from FCO as well. Only use CIA if you find a significantly cheaper low-cost flight for a short European trip and are prepared for less convenient ground transport.

Rome Urbe Airport (General Aviation)

Note: Rome also has Urbe Airport (Codice IATA: none, ICAO: LIRU), a small general aviation airfield north of the city center. It handles no commercial passenger flights and is used only for private jets, charters, and flight training.