Flying out of Rome at 9 a.m.

What is your schedule for the day prior to departure ?

By the many posts on this forum, there are lots of options on getting to the airport for early morning flights. Last year, our flight left FCO at 6:40 a.m. so we elected to stay overnight in nearby Flumicino at Seccy Hotel Boutique. The hotel arranged an early pick-up with a limousine service and it was only a five minute ride to the terminal for about 20 Euro. On the prior day in Rome, we checked out of our hotel and left our bags with the front desk while we did our last bit of sightseeing. We had our Rome to Flumicino cab ride that afternoon before rush hour. The cost of the cab ride was about the same or just a little more than the flat fee taxis charge to and from Rome and the airport. The Seccy Hotel Boutique was really a pleasant modern property. Check out their website. Just several blocks to the business district, restaurants, and fishing boats moored along the river. Very easy to deal with.

I would agree, 9:00 is not early by most measures of people (and myself on several trips) who had 7:00 or earlier flights. I would suggest just staying in the hotel you may already be in, or if you are coming in from another town in Italy, then maybe near Termini, but really, anywhere in town would be fine. I would even just plan on booking a taxi or car service, not much more, probably cheaper when you figure a hotel in town would be cheaper, plus you will have a much better evening in Rome than near the airport.

What city are you flying to?

Carol,

Is your flight to another European hub, or directly back to the states? If the latter, I believe you'll have to do precheck in Terminal 5, and will also need to allow more time.

You could easily take the Leonardo Express to the airport on departure day, as it's a quick trip and not affected by traffic (however that would mean a very early wake-up). If you did want to stay closer to the airport, the Rome Airport Hilton is about the most convenient as you can walk into the terminals from the hotel.

On our trip in Aug we stayed in Rome for our 8 am flight to the states. Our hotel called a cab since we left before 5 for the airport. There was no traffic at that time on a Monday. We got there & was through security with hours to spare.
I would stay in Rome proper and depending on your finances take a cab to the airport. Enjoy

Going along with what Ken said, if you want to stay close to the airport, in addition to the Hilton connected to the airport, there's also a Hilton Garden Inn on FCO's grounds that has a shuttle running beginning at 5:00 am to take you to the airport. I just finished the VFR tour a few weeks ago and, due to Lufthansa's pilot strike, was forced to spend an extra night in Rome. I know, quite the hardship! Lufthansa put us up in the Hilton Garden and it was nice. We also had a 9:00 am flight and the hotel packed us breakfast boxes to take with us as the restaurant wouldn't be open until after we checked out.

9.00am is not super early.
Also since the first flights to North America depart after 9:30am, my assumption is that you are actually flying to a European city first, which will require to be at the airport 60 to 90 min prior to departure.
If you stay in the city, the taxi ride is only 30 min at that time in the morning and it costs €48 (flat fare) all inclusive. The Leonardo Express train from Termini station takes 32 min (one departure everything half hour) for a cost of about €15 o/w per person.

...due to Lufthansa's pilot strike, was forced to spend an extra night
in Rome. I know, quite the hardship!

Oh wow. We'd never be so lucky. We'd get stuck in Omaha in January.

We also stayed in the Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport a few years ago. Unless new businesses have been built in the last few years, there's nothing--restaurant, market, etc.--nearby so once you are at the hotel plan to stay. Enjoy your trip.

The first Leonardo Express leaves Termini at 5.35, arrives at FCO at 6.07, price is €14. That should be plenty of time for a 9.00 flight. For 2 or more people, I like Roberto's suggestion of a taxi from the hotel to the airport - not much more, especially if you need a taxi to Termini anyway. The convenience is worth it.

You could stay near Termini, but you don't have to. Where will you be the night before?

We stayed at the Hilton. I had enough brownie points from traveling for work that we got upgraded to the executive floor. You can either walk to the terminal or take a free shuttle.

We didn't know the lay of the land and the peace of mind being at the airport was worth it.

We were coming back from Tuscany and had to return our car. If we were staying in Rome, I'd look at an early morning limo ride to the airport.