Bus service from Fiumicino Airport

As difficult as following these signs: http://www.consiglidiviaggio.it/site/images/FCOgente24.gif
You can focus on the yellow "trains" pictogram and keep on walking till you arrive at the railway station. Once there, you can buy a 14 Euro ticket, time-stamp it and get on the first express train departing to Roma Termini.
Otherwise you can follow the bus sign till you see many buses run by various competing companies. If you haven't purchased your ticket in advance, you can just pay the driver a little more and get on the first bus that's leaving.

Here's the bus info from the official airport website.

To answer your question, No, I've never used a bus from the airport. The Leonardo Express is a much easier and faster way to get from FCO to Roma Termini.

I am not familiar with the Leonardo Express. Where can I find information? Thanks.

The Leonardo express train is quick and easy. Dario mentioned it in his post (express train for 14 euros). Just follow signs to trains after you collect your luggage and there is a ticket office there to purchase your tickets. If you have a first class rail pass it is good on the express train to Roma Termini but unless you are traveling elsewhere by train on arrival I would not use my pass since the fare is inexpensive. Rick Steves also tells you how to easily use the train to get to Rome in his guide books. We have used it several times with no problems. Have a wonderful trip!

Thank you so much! I have 2 boys, 12 and 10, and by the looks of the website, they are free! Wahoo! Leonardo Express it is! Thanks!!

Okay, so I just looked into it further. Looks like my 12 year old will be charged. Bummer. A little scared of the whole validating the ticket thing. I'm reading horror stories. Maybe I'm better off with a cab. lol

We've used the shuttle buses (Terravision, SIT, etc.) and they worked fine for us although they take a bit longer than the Express train. Bought our tickets at kiosks right outside baggage claim, and the attendant will told us where to go to be picked up. If you've already bought tickets, just follow the signs or ask. It's not difficult.

To add: these buses are like touring coaches - comfortable, safe and air-conditioned - so not like what you'd think of as a 'city' bus.

I see that you're possibly taking the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento? That's another train you need to validate your tickets for, and that isn't difficult either.

Here is a video showing an hero validating his/her train ticket:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0EdcvG002A

Do you think you can do the same? :D

Here is another video about how to reach FCO station: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI2eWTw1P2E

Kath,

The Leonardo Express was our first experience with Italian trains, too. We weren't sure how to validate our tickets, so after a few failed attempts, we stepped back and watched others. Then we tried again and a helpful (not scary) fellow traveler stepped up to show us how to do it. I think you and your sons would find it a fun way to travel into Rome! Maybe they could watch the videos provided by others and be in "charge" of that part of the adventure.

Good luck,

Sharon

Take the Leonardo Express because it is faster. Just follow the pictograph signs on the ceiling and they will take you to the train station. Buy the ticket, VALIDATE it before boarding, enter the train, and arrive downtown. The validation boxes are located at the head of the tracks and are bright yellow, or at least they were.

Buon viaggio,

Thank you. Now contemplating taxi, as it would only cost 6 euro more and will drop me off at my destination. I'm all over the map. At least now I have options. You are all so wonderful to share your knowledge. In the event I do take a taxi, is tipping included? Thanks.

If you are saying a taxi is only 6 euro more than the Leonardo express I would be surprised if that's the case.

The Leonardo Express is €14 per person; it sounds like one of your children will travel free and another will not.

The buses are something like €6-8 per person. In exchange for being cheaper than the train, they take longer. I don't know how young you have to be to get free travel on them.

With both train and bus, if your final destination is not Termini station, you then have to take a bus or taxi afterward (adding cost and some complexity, particularly when jet lagged and tired).

A taxi is a fixed rate of €48 (per car, not per person) to the "center" (a large defined area, including Termini Station and most places tourists stay). With a taxi, you get door to door service (a "one seat ride" with no changes).

All of these methods work well, and which is best for your needs is up to you. But yes, for 3 or 4 people, a taxi is not only easier, but cheaper, door to door, compared to train plus taxi or bus.

All of these methods work well, and which is best for your needs is up
to you. But yes, for 3 or 4 people, a taxi is not only easier, but
cheaper, door to door, compared to train plus taxi or bus.

I'd absolutely agree with that as there are 4 of you. It's not worth quibbling over the difference of just a few euro for door-to-door (or nearly so if the accommodation is on a too-narrow street) convenience. You do not say exactly where in Rome you are staying but I'm assuming it's in the center, meaning within the Aurelian walls? That would be the € 48,00 rate.

We also previously covered some of the details of various transport methods your post about the Roma Pass back in March.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/roma-pass-1ecad9e7-e31a-4f03-ba6e-959204eeb806

yes, we used the bus last September. Went very well, I think around 6 or 8 euro, one way. You just go outside to the ground transportation and ask for the bus to Termeni. It also stops near the Vatican city area. For returning to the airport, just pick up the bus where they dropped you off.