Cafe at FCO after Clearing Immigration

When we arrived in Rome, my first thought (after clearing everything) was that I needed a drink of water. I was very dehydrated and clearly had not had enough water on the plane.

As I recall there is a HUGE shopping mall area that you have to pass through before you reach the cafes and restaurants. (Think chocolate, cheese, wine, perfume & leather.)

BUT there was also an upstairs portion that we did not visit. There may be restaurants there before you hit the next section for connecting flights.

There's a centrally located information desk where you can ask.

We wound up passing the duty free shopping area and eating at one of those places where you stand up to eat. There were restaurants with tables where you could sit, but since we'd been sitting for hours we opted for the stand up place. On our return trip when we changed planes again in Rome, we hit a lovely sit down bar which had coffee and really good vodka. ;-)

i am confused. You are flying from SFO to FCO, so don't you want to understand your options in SFO? Or are you changing planes at FCO and want to grab something before you board your next flight? If you aren't changing planes, you're likely to be so exhausted I can't imagine you want to stop in the airport for food.

I just want to know how you are flying direct from SFO.

Laura B-- perhaps its the Norwegian OAK-FCO flight, in the lowest cost, no food service, fare class.

I am sure there must be, but I was never looking for a cafe when arriving there.

I'm assuming you'll be arriving at Terminal 3. Although I have never stopped there, this terminal map indicates there is a cafe that will be to your right as you exit the secure area.

As far as I know the only direct flight to FCO is with Norwegian from Oakland (OAK). Unless some other airline is starting that direct link from SFO sometime in the summer.

Yes, there are places where you can eat once you arrive in the arrival hall. Even more so if you go upstairs at the departure level.

Terminal 3 at Fiumicino is enormous with many shopping and dining options both before and after passing thru passport control.

Lots of choices from stand up to sit down. No different from any other airport. BUT - every place has espresso. Wonderful introduction to Italy.

I often take a few moments when arriving in Europe after clearing passport checks to have a quick drink and snack. It helps clear some of the travel fog from my brain so I am alert enough to find my way wherever I am going.

Unfortunately I can't suggest anything at FCO because it has been too long since I was there.

I'm so used to flying from SFO that I forgot to mention that this time I'm flying from OAK. I'm sorry that I didn't clarify, I am flying from OAK on the budget airline Norwegian Air, nonstop to FCO. I got the super cheap fare, so no food or drinks included in the fare and max 10kg carryon (no check luggage), I heard that they do weigh your carryon. This is my first time that I'm traveling this light for 2 weeks.

I'm planning on taking the train from FCO to Termini, then to Naples. This makes a very long, exhausting day since I usually can't sleep on the plane. I just want to grab some snacks and cold drinks for the train ride to Naples.

Thank you for your responses.

I am also flying direct from Oakland to FCO at end of April. Before I board in Oakland, I stop at one of the shops there and get the largest water that I can find and bring it on board. I also bring on my own food and snacks, but Norwegian does sell some food and snacks which can be delivered right to your seat. Have purchased food on board before and it was fine. Have flown into FCO before but not direct from California, which mean I was taking a connecting flight from Oslo or Stockholm so didn't have to pass customs in Rome before. I do know there are places to eat and drink nearby when you don't have to do customs, not sure if you exit in the same area.

Rome FCO is almost the same size as SFO. In terms of passenger traffic, with over 40 million passengers annually, it is busier than Houston or Newark Liberty. There are obviously concessions everywhere, before and after security.

You change trains in Termini. Termini has a much wider selection of carry on snacks, sandwiches to go, etc., and better restaurants. If looking to stock up prior to your train ride, Termini would be the better choice. Give yourself an hour or so between the L Express to Termini and your departure to Naples.

That's what I was thinking too -- greater choice at Termini, probably.

It makes a big difference if you have a train ticket good only for a single departure, or if your ticket is good on any non-reserved train that day. You have no control over arrival time and immigration processing, so you might be rushing to Termini. As noted, there are plenty of places to buy sandwiches or vegetable bins, and wine, at Termini. I trust you are packing some snacks to eat on the plane to FCO. There are dozens and dozens of faceless plastic cafes at FCO or any other international airport.

Holly, since you are going immediately down to Naples from FCO, consider the Fuimicino Express Bus to Napoli Centrale from terminal 3. It is where you go though customs and will be very close to the bus terminal upon arrival. We did this (you can pay cash at the bus 30E pp) and it is an easy and convenient ride to the bus station, adjacent to the train station in Naples. I didn't make reservations and glad I didn't, as our plane arrived 1.5 hours ahead of time! The bus only leaves every other hour from FCO, but it saves you going to Termini and then from Termini to Naples.

Thanks Marie for that suggestion. I looked at the Fiumincino express website and on Tripadvisor, they have a lot of good reviews. I'm hoping that I can make it in time to make bus connection without too much of a wait. 30 euro is a great price compared to the fast trains.