Rome transport is systematic and yet it is somehow outdated and can be hectic. Learn how Rome public transport works before you leave home. It is always a good idea to avoid possible troubles.

I flew off for Rome and embarked on a cruise ship for Mediterranean Cruises from Civitavecchia Port. Then the ship went on Middle East Cruises.

Initially, I planned to explore Rome city centre, but my stay in Rome was limited due to a flight arrangement.

I also visited Rome and Florence from London on many occasions.

Rome is one of the most celebrated cities in the world due to its archaeological heritage and Renaissance arts.

Do you plan to explore Rome and the Vatican before or after you cruise the Mediterranean Sea from Civitavecchia Port?

Yes? Then keep reading!

If you are directly going to Civitavecchia Port from Rome Airport, not visiting central Rome, then please visit Civitavecchia Port Guide.

You can save money and time by learning fast and easy ways of Rome Airport transfers to your destination.

This article is divided into 4 sections:

I. Rome Transport Overview
II. Rome Airport Transfer to Central Rome
III. Central Rome transfer to Civitavecchia Port
IV. Rome Public Transport Detailed!

I will show you the best areas to stay while you are in Rome. Then you will know how to find from Rome Airport to central Rome and how Rome transport works. Explore the city and maximize your trip!

Relevant Contents:
Where to Stay in Rome, Italy: Find Best Hotels in the Best Areas

I. Rome Transport Overview

Located in the centre of Italian Peninsula, Rome was built on seven hills at the bank of The Tiber River. Rome is the capital of Italy and is one of the most populated metropolitan cities in Europe.

Rome is also one of the most celebrated destinations in the world, due to its archaeological treasures and Renaissance arts. A number of Italy’s historic places have been registered to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Rome is the country’s major transport hub. Termini is the largest train stations in Europe, and Rome Tiburtina is the second-largest station in Italy.

Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is Italy’s chief airport, located in Fiumicino, the south-west of Rome. It is about 34 km distance to central Rome and about 30 minutes drive.

Civitavecchia Port is Rome’s main harbour. The port is located about 80 km northwest of the city centre and a 54 km distance from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. It takes 1 hour and a 20-minute drive from both Rome Airport and the city centre. Find further information at Rome City Guide.

Where is the best neighbourhood to stay in Rome?

Ancient Rome, Historic Centre and Trastevere are the recommended areas to stay while you are in Rome.

Ancient Rome, Historic Centre and Trastevere

Ancient Rome (Centro Storico)

The best area to say for sightseeing due to its location to access to celebrate ancient ruins, including the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Over the Tiber River, the Vatican is another place for you to visit such as St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican Museums, home of the Sistine Chapel.

Nearest stations: Termini, Repiblica and Colosseo

Historic Center

The historic centre is the best, especially for first-time visitors to Rome. The Colosseum, The Roman Forum, Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popol are in this neighbourhood. Historic Centre is one of the city’s most beautifully established areas. Apart from the archaeological heritage, all the shops, cafes, bars and restaurants are beautiful, visually appealing.

Nearest stations: Colosseo, Vittorio Emanuele and Circo Macimo

Trastevere

This is the area not for 5-star hotel areas but to stay in a fashionable apartment. Trastevere is one of the primal spots of nightlife. Popular nightclubs and bars are located. It is a charming town. Santa Maria Trastevere and Piazza Santa Maria are easy to visit.

Trastevere is also a popular place for the foodies among the locals. Family-run restaurants are lined up, you will never be worried where to go. From the Michelin starred restaurants to Italy’s worldly famous local food, ossobuco, pizzerias, lasagna, spaghetti and Cicchetti entertain you. Please do not forget adding gelato!

Nearest stations: Trastevere, Porta S. Paolo and Piramide

Things to do in Rome

• A walk through the Historic Center of Rome
• Climbing the Spanish Steps
• Visit Piazza Navona
• Visit the Colosseum
• Throw a coin into the Fountain di Trevi
• Visit Pantheon
• Make a day for Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
• Stadio Olimpico
• Borghese Gallery

II. Rome Airport Transfer to Central Rome

Rome Airport

Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) at Fiumicino is one of Europe’s busiest international airports and is located in Fiumicino, Italy. The airport is named after Leonardo da Vinci, the 15th century Italian polymath, who designed a flying machine with wings, the first proto helicopter.

Rome Airport Transfer General Tips

• Get cash in advance for public transport. It is available to get it at ATM in the airport. Please note that you are able to get cash only 250 EUR a day.
• Be aware if you have more than 10,000 EUR cash, it is necessary to declare to a custom. Italy does not want to receive a large amount of cash from overseas.
• Rome is the 3rd most visited cities after London and Paris in Europe, but the system of the airport is not modern. There were long lines and needed much to wait for passport control, immigration and luggage collection. It depends on the situation, but it took me more than 2 hours whenever I flew off for Rome.
• Good news is that a connection between the airport and Rome city centre is excellent.
• It is important that for visitors to go to the US with American airlines need to prepare at least two hours for a flight in advance. The terminal 5 is located at a completely separated far away building and is with an incredibly slow security check. My suggestion is 3 hours in advance to check in.

Which transport options are available?

Available transports from Leonardo da Vinci Airport at Fiumicino to central Rome are:

• Coach – the most inexpensive and free for luggage at hand but consumes time
• Local train – inexpensive but need to carry heavy luggage
• Leonard Express – reasonable in price
• Taxi – expensive but comfortable
• Private Transfer – most expensive but hasstle free

Getting to central Rome from Rome Airport

(Cost is Euro (EUR) on November 2018)

1. Leonardo Express Airport Train

The Leonardo Express airport train is the best, the fastest and most comfortable option, for the airport transfer. It takes 30 minutes to go to Termini Station and is non-stop. All trains arrive and depart from platform 25. It runs every 30 minutes and costs 14 EUR.

Note: You are not able to use Rome public transport passes to/from Fiumicino Airport on the Leonardo Express

Leonardo Express is expensive, about a double prince, when it is compared to coach and local trains. If you would like to save money, there is an alternative.

Keep reading!

2. FR 1 Rome orbital train

FR1 connects between Leonardo da Vinci Airport and central Rome. It runs every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sunday.

The good thing is that the ticket is much cheaper than Leonardo Express. One way fare to Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina is 8 EUR. The fare is helpful, especially for a family and groups.

FR1 does not go to Termini station, the major station in Rome. However, if you stay in the Vatican or Trastevere areas, FR1 is the best.

If you go to Termini station, get off either at Trastevere or Ostiense and change to FM5 local train.

Whereas Leonardo Express has a non-stop trip, FR1 is stopping at all stations.

Where can I catch a train at Leonardo da Vinci Airport?

The train station is Fiumicino Station and is a part of the passenger terminal and are well signposted. Follow T1 and T2 signs. You will not miss the train station. Although it can be a  10 minutes walk along the station area, there are moving walkways and lifts.

At the Fiumicino Station, there are ticket machines, the official ticket desk and three or four other independent outlets that all sell tickets for the Leonardo Express train.

Note: The station has three platforms for Leonardo Express and two other local trains. Please check which platform the next Leonardo Express train departs from, even if there is only one train in the station.

3. Bus

The cheapest public transport option between the airport and city centre of Rome is a bus. Terravision Bus, one of four competing airport bus services, is terminate at Termini Station. Terravision is the cheapest. 

It takes an hour to get Termini station and costs 5 EUR to 7EUR. A bus ticket can be directly purchased from a driver, but need to prepare exact cash. The bus terminal is located nearby Terminal 1.

4. Taxi

Taxi fare is a fixed for 48 EUR between Fiumicino Airport and destinations in Rome city centre defined, within the Aurelian Walls. If you are not going inside the city walls then the fare will be metered.

A taxi can contain maximum of 4 people but if you have more than 3 large suitcases, it will be a problem due to the size of a taxi.

Additional surcharge:

• The minimum fare at night time: 6.50 EUR
• Surcharge for each additional suitcase (one per passenger included in the price): 1 EUR
• Surcharge for telephone reservations: 3.50 EUR
• One hour waiting time: 27 EUR
• Rome Airport Surcharge: 2 EUR

How can I find a taxi properly?

As it is common anywhere around the world, there are unregistered cabs around the airport. It is not a good feeling if a taxi rate is unreasonably charged. Let’s find a licenced taxi.

In Rome, I hail a white metered taxi, meaning they have a meter inside. They also have a licenced number on a door and a sign ‘TAXI’ on top of the roof. I never had any problem with a taxi in Rome.

Can I pay by a Credit card?

Yes. All the taxies in Rome need to have a machine for a credit card in law, but sometimes it is broken. Please be prepared in case if you need to pay by cash.

5. Rental Car Service

Rental Car service is available at Office Tower 2. The location of the building is easy to reach via the pedestrian tunnels which connect the Terminal buildings to the Multilevel Parking structure. Signs to the rental car area are located in the Arrivals Area.

However, rental car service is not recommended, simply because there is no point as Rome transports are well developed. Traffic is always busy and drivers in Rome have got not a positive reputation. 

 

III. Getting Civitavecchia Port from Central Rome

If you are visiting Civitavecchia directly from Rome Airport, please Civitavecchia Cruise Terminal Guide.  

If you transfer from central Rome to Civitavecchia, please keep reading.

The options you can choose for central Rome transfer to Civitavecchia are:

• Train
• Private transfer
• Taxi
• Rental Car

Train

The cheapest way to transfer from Leonardo da Vinci Airport at Fiumicino to Civitavecchia is by train. A train is much cheaper than private transfer. However, some delays are expected.

Good news is that train service is frequent, and it goes directly to Civitavecchia straight.

From Termini, the Roma’s main station, get FM5 train or Intercity train to Grosseto and get off at the Civitavecchia station. A train runs about every 30 minutes. Please find a timetable at Trenitalia

• Cost: Local train 7 EUR to 16 EUR or Intercity train 10 to 11 EUR per person, one way
• Estimated time: less than 1 hour

Civitavecchia Port, Central Rome
and Leonardo da Vinci Airport

Private Shuttle

Transfer from Termini station to Civitavecchia can be stressful simply because one of Europe’s main stations is full packed by commuters. A private shuttle is costly and yet that is what you pay to have comfort.

• Cost: about 140 EUR (up to four people and two large bags) or 160 EUR (five to eight people and twelve bags) in one way
• Time: About 1 hour and 20 minutes if traffic is smooth

Taxi

This is the least option but I would consider for next.

I have a story. I arrived at Leonardo da Vinci Airport very early due to some air arrangement. Shops and cafes are all closed. A phone number I was given for a private transfer was switched off.

• Cost: about 140 EUR (up to four people and two large bags) or 160 EUR (five to eight people and twelve bags) in one way
• Time: About 1 hour and 20-minute drive if traffic is smooth

Rental Car Service

Rental Car service is available at Office Tower 2. The location of the building is easy to reach via the pedestrian tunnels which connect the Terminal buildings to the Multilevel Parking structure. Signs to the rental car area are located in the Arrivals Area.

However, a rental car is not recommended, simply because there is no point as Rome transports are well developed. Traffic is always busy and drivers in Rome have got not a positive reputation.

How can I transfer from the Civitavecchia train station to the Civitavecchia Port?

Please find my blog post where I detailed how to transfer from the station to the port in Civitavecchia.

 

III. Rome Public Transport Detailed!

Rome public transports are Metro (underground), bus and tram. Metro, bus and tram are run by the same company, Rome ATAC. You need a biglietto (an ATAC ticket) to use them.  

Where and how can I purchase an ATAC ticket?

An ATAC ticket is available: 

• At a tabaccaio: you can say “Un biglietto per metro, per favore”
• Over a vending machine at all Metro stations
• An ATAC ticket costs 1.5 EUR. 

Note: But the vending machine is tricky! The machines allow you to select an English Language and accept either euro bills or coins. There is a credit card slot, but it is not working properly. It just eats money out from a credit card. 

You can hop on any of their services using the same ticket you purchased for 1.5 EUR as many as you want but only within 100 minutes and that is only for bus and tram and not for Metro.  

If you plan to use transports often, an ATAC pass is also available. It can be used for Metro, bus and tram.

Other available ATAC tickets are:

• Day ticket – 7 EUR, the ticket explores at midnight on a day you purchased. 
• 48 hour ticket – 12.5 EUR
• 72 hour ticket – 18 EUR
• Week ticket – 24 EUR
• RomaPass – If you’re touring Rome for three days or so, this is very good value, with a free entrance of two museums, not including the Vatican. 

My tip: I keep some 1.5 EUR ATAC tickets in my pocket. When I feel tired, I use it but most of the time, it is just one or two hours walk to see some important places I would like to visit around. I rarely buy a pass. 

Useful Italian

• Ticket – biglietto 
• City bus – autobus 
• Bus stop – fermata 
• Subway – Metro
• I’m getting off! – scendo!
• Excuse me (to get attention) – scusa

1. Metro

Rome’s Metro is very simple. Linea A (red) and Linea B (blue) are crossing at Termini, the Rome’s main station. 

There is a green button on a train. Whether or not you push it, a door opens. Sometimes it does not open when the door is broken. 

Stay inside of a train and do not stand in front of the door for a safety reason. 

My tip: it is better to avoid using a metro from 7 to 8.30 am. It is full of commuters in the morning. 

Rome Metro map

How do I validate my ATAC ticket for Metro?

When you get in the Metro, you pass through a turnstile that will automatically validate your ticket for you. It prints the expiry time and date on the back of the ticket as scadenza.

Rome’s public Metro operation hours

• The first train is 5.30am every day.
• The last train leaves from the ends of the metro at 11.30pm on weeknights, and 1.30am on a Friday and Saturday night.

2. How to validate my ATAC ticket at bus and tram?

While your ATAC ticket is automatically validated with a machine at a Metro station, you have to do the validation by yourself.  It is unnecessary to do a validation each time whenever you get on either a bus or a tram. It is only the first time you have used your ticket during its allotted time period.

Note: using the invalidated ticket at Rome public transport is a problem and will have a penalty with a 150 EUR fine. 

When you get on a bus, find a little blobby machine attached to a pillar at the front and back. Put your ticket inside and the ticket will be stamped with the expiry time. If the bus is packed, people help each other for validation. You will see it!

Bonus Tip!: Visiting Information for Italy!

• Travel Visa Information Italian Government Official Site
• Currency: Euro (EUR) Go to a currency converter
• Internet: Free WiFi access in Civitavecchia Port
• Civitavecchia Weather Information
• Public Holidays in Italy – change a year

How do you find this Rome Airport transfer to central Rome article? I hope you have got some useful ideas for your next trip.

How is your holiday planning going and where did you explore in Italy or in the Mediterranian Cruise? I would love to hear from you.

It was truly hectic for me to transfer from Rome Airport to Civitavecchia. I hope this article can be helpful for you. 

Or need more time to learn Rome Transport?

Bookmark this Rome Public Transport: Explore the best of Rome and Save Money in Italy or “Pin the Pinterest red button below” for later reading. Thank you!