Arriving Rome FCU Airport September 26, 2018 at 7 AM.

You could go from FCO to Ostia Antica for a few hours.

Donna

Rome FCO is a very busy airport, IF you're lucky, you might be able to-clear immigration in an hour. It has taken us up to 2 1/2-3 hours. The next problem is where you put your luggage. Taking it with you could be a real possibility. I'd just stay put, have something to eat or browse the shops.

Be prepared for the same length of time for your friends. Can't see how they can meet you at 1:00. Keep in mind planes can be late too.

Where are you headed that you need a car? Driving after an international flight is kind of like driving under the influence.

Ostia Antica is a great place to visit, but it needs more time than you are likely to have.

Get some breakfast, wander the airport and hope your companions arrive on time. Their being at the rental counter an hour after touchdown is optimistic.

Also question the wisdom of driving just after coming off an overnight flight.

Thanks for your response. My first choice was to stay at the airport, but I thought that once you picked up your luggage and cleared Immigration you no longer had access to the shops and restaurants.

emellat,

One other option would be to walk across to the Rome Airport Hilton and ask your friends to meet you there once they've collected their luggage and cleared immigration. The hotel may have day-use rooms it you want a short nap or a shower, but those are probably going to be pricey.

As someone else mentioned, driving right after a long international flight has been compared to driving while impaired. Also, I assume you're aware that each driver listed on the rental form will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used with your home D.L.

In reference to one of the above comments I want you to know that it is impossible for you to meet your friends at their arrival gate. Once international passengers arrive they are funneled through a path through immigration and baggage claim and there is no possible contact with people waiting at the gate as there are glass walls separating the two. The best place to meet is the meeting point at T3 (although I’d meet them at the Santé wine bar)

You're correct that you won't have access to the nicer shops and restaurants, which are all in the departures areas after security. There are some options on the T3 and T1 arrivals levels. I find the food places in T3 to be rather crowded with just so-so food. I haven't tried the wine bar (always too early in the day), but it might be a cut above. When I have a long wait, I always take the short walk to T1 arrivals level to buy food and relax. Imo the food quality is better, and it's much less crowded. If your friends are arriving at noon, they may be coming from another city within the EU and arriving at T1 anyway. In that case, maybe just meet them there and then walk together to Hertz.