Tips for Traveling to Rome
Rome has been a magnet for tourists for centuries and for good reason. This millennia old city has so much to offer that you can easily do something different every time you visit and still not see everything! Due to its popularity, the city is well-connected, giving you the opportunity to fly, take the train or even travel by coach. We will help you take the stress out of planning your journey with our top tips on getting to Rome and help you save both time and money on your trip.
FINDING AIRPORT PARKING
Booking a holiday can be stressful and many of us do not put aside enough time to plan how we will get to our departure airport. This can mean we end up spending more than we need to on last-minute bookings, especially for airport parking. Most of us choose to drive as it is usually the most convenient choice, but overlook the fact that the costs of last-minute airport parking can be eye-watering!
Luckily there is a simple solution to find great prices on airport parking. You simply need to book as far in advance as you can using an airport parking comparison website. For travellers from the UK, Parkhero is good example. This website allows you to compare all of your parking options in one place and find the best prices in just seconds. For example, if you were looking for parking around Gatwick Airport, you choose the airport in the comparison tool, enter your travel dates and hit ‘Search’. The website will bring you all the available parking services in seconds and will order them from the cheapest to the most expensive. You can add further filters to narrow down your choices or choose the cheapest option and complete your booking in less than 5 minutes. If you want to find a similar website for your country, simply enter ‘compare…airport parking’ into a search engine.
FLYING TO ROME
Rome has two main airports, Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino) and Ciampino Airport. Da Vinci is the larger of the two and offers flights to destinations across the globe. Ciampino in comparison is much smaller and is favoured by budget airlines providing European connections. Both are between 30 and 60 minutes from the city centre of Rome depending on you choose to transfer to the city.
From both airports there are plenty of transport options to choose from and it is a simple journey to make. No matter your budget, you will find the right option for your trip. Simply choose the option below that best fits your needs and if possible, book in advance to secure the best prices.
Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino)
Train
One of the most popular ways to transfer from the airport is via the Leonardo Express train that takes you to Termini Station in the centre of the city. The train takes around 30 minutes to reach the city and costs €14 one-way. Keep in mind that it is quite a long walk from the baggage area to the train station at the airport, but trains are frequent. From Termini you can easily walk to your accommodation, catch a metro or a taxi. It is a busy station and pickpockets are very active, so be aware!
Bus
A more budget-friendly option is to take the bus to the city centre. Buses provided by Terravision are a popular option and cost around €6. The bus will drop you off at Termini Train Station. The journey takes between 40 minutes and an hour depending on traffic.
Taxi
If you want comfort and convenience, taking a taxi is a good option. They can be found right outside the airport and will take you directly to your accommodation. The fare for destinations inside the Aurelian Walls is around €50, but make sure to travel with a registered Rome registered taxi. You can check this on the white label on the car door.
Ciampino Airport
Bus
Taking the bus from Ciampino to Rome is a great value choice at just €5 for a one-way ticket with Terravision. The bus will drop you at Termini Station from where you can find the metro, taxis or even walk if your accommodation is nearby.
Taxi
For greater convenience, you can opt for a taxi which will take you directly to your hotel. While taxis will cost more at around €30, they do offer more comfort. Make sure to look out for Rome registered taxis for the most reliable service. You can check the label on the car door. During the high season, you may need to wait before a taxi is available. If you want to avoid this, you can consider booking a private transfer.
TAKING THE TRAIN TO ROME
As Italy’s capital city, Rome is well connected by train to the rest of the country and also has good international connections to the rest of Europe. They are a great alternative to flying, offering more comfort and less stress. While tickets remain higher than plane tickets, you can get a much different experience. There is nothing quite like watching Italy’s magnificent scenery flash by!
Rome’s main train station is Termini in the centre of the city. There is also Tiburtina Station which is further out to the east of the city and where most international trains terminate. Both stations offer excellent metro, bus and taxi connections to the rest of the city.
You can find some of the best prices by booking ahead online with Trenitalia directly and if you sign up for their newsletter, you can benefit from their sales. Seating in carriages varies from 4 seats in a row to 6 person cabins.
TAKING A COACH TO ROME
If you are looking for a budget option when travelling to Rome, then taking the coach is a great choice. While you can find tickets for as little as €10 with companies, such as Flixbus, you do not sacrifice comfort. Coach networks across Europe are growing rapidly with the aim to compete with flights and trains, which means coaches are comfortable, have Wi-Fi and are reliable (depending on traffic of course).
It can even be easier to travel to Rome by coach as there are connections from most major cities without the need to change, unlike with trains. Buses usually drop off at Tiburtina Train Station to the east of the city centre.
We hope these tips will help you plan an unforgettable trip to Rome! We are looking forward to greeting you in the Eternal City and showing you its best spots.
If you want more information on our
tours, make sure to check out our dedicated Rome tours page or find more travel inspiration on our
Blog.
