getting from the Airport

Ask your hotel how much the cab fare (from the airport) will be first - then do the EUR-USD currency conversion and decide if the price is worth trading off greater comfort.

Hi Michelle. Personally, I would take a cab from the airport directly to the hotel because I am always tired when I land (coming from CA) & I just want to get to the hotel. We used in Romecabs.com when we arrived in '09 & will use them again to get to the airport this coming September. They are highly recommended and rated and the cost is almost identical to hiring a regular cab curb side. You can book your transfer ahead of time on their web site & the driver will be waiting for you outside the baggage claim area; he will hold a sign with your name on it. We had a great experience with them in '09 & it made for a seamless, stress-free transfer from the airport to our apartment. Have a great trip!

Michelle, take a cab. When you exit the airport, often there are shared cabs that will save some money if that is your objective. It is possible by metro, but if you don't know the area and you are tired from your flight, the possible savings just aren't worth it, don't you think?

Michelle, With a hotel near Vatican city, I'd probably take the Leonardo Express from the airport to Termini (€15 or so, 35 minutes travel time, DON'T FORGET TO VALIDATE before boarding the train or you'll face a hefty fine which starts at €50 PP and is collected on the spot). At Termini, you'll find lots of Taxi's outside the front door (walk straight ahead with your back to the tracks). I prefer that method as there are no worries about traffic issues on the way from the airport into the city, and it's a pleasant ride. You'll have to contend with the traffic in the city one way or the other. You might find it helpful to have the name and address (in Italian) of your hotel printed on a small sheet of paper to show the Taxi driver. You'll likely be passing through Termini at some point. Be prepared for the chaos. It's a busy place! I sometimes get a coffee at McDonalds at Termini and sit in the upper dining room and watch the performance below. Cheers!

If this was me, and I was in Rome for the first time (are you?) I'd just take a cab from the airport to my hotel. It's worth the money to get to the hotel, get my barrings and get some sightseeing in during the cab ride. If you are tired from the flight, Termini is not a fun place to be. it's super busy. At least at the airport, there are just air travelers arriving and departing to town, at termini you have buses, trains and taxi people all trying to get somewhere. Also, Termini can be a spot for pickpockets. It's not a waste, it's worth paying for less hassle on arrival.

Michelle, on 6/29 you posted that you had booked a Cosmos tour. If that is true, I would assume transfers are included, and you should refer all of your further questions to Cosmos. If that is not true, why did you post it?

I have booked both a Cosmos tour and a MSC cruise and I will be in Rome a week independently. Now the question I was referred to getting from the airport to the Vatican area.

I second the recommendation for a airport transfer thru the company Romecabs. I booked them because we had 5 people in our group and I knew a regular cab wouldn't do. I waited too late to get the regular transfer and wound up booking the VIP transfer. It was wonderful! It included about an hour+ sightseeing drive thru Rome and gave us some ideas on what to go back and see (specifically the Aventine keyhole). I also naively thought it would help orient us to Rome, well, lol, with all the little alleys he kept shooting up and down I did not know up from down much less north from south. We stopped a couple of times and got out, first for an overlook of Rome, then the Aventine keyhole. My brother called shotgun so was riding in the front seat and got a little motion sick in the Rome traffic, but it didn't bother the rest of us. Given that you have had some worries about safety in Rome, delivery to the door of your hotel might help set your mind at ease.

well what does a cab cost from Airport to Vatican area? what is the cost of doing the train?? You are right.. I might be in a real bad mood after a long flight.. But I am also a night w0orker used to odd hours.. So I have no idea how I will feel when I get there. I want to figure out the budget.. This is the thing.. I have to catch a train to Bari for a cruise 2 weeks after going to Rome.. I will have luggage then to. Michelle just trying to plan stuff out a little bit

It is a pity that you want to ban certain members here from helping you. Especially when they have some of the best answers. Despite your very bristly nature I'll offer an answer. If you don't want help from me either, I won't post any more. You will find that Ron in Rome has many most excellent pages with up to date information that is right on. His page about getting in from the airport is at http://www.roninrome.com/transportation/transportation-options-from-fiumicino-airport-fco-to-the-city-of-rome I would probably take a taxi at €48 from the airport or train into Termini and then bus.

Thank you Nigel I have seen that site and will look at it a lot more when I have time

We just were in Rome a couple of months ago and opted for the taxi ride. The cost is not really that much more if there is more than one person. They will usually transport 4 people for the same amount along with luggage. And it will be door to door service.

There are some simple options. The taxi is fixed at 48E, up to four people and luggage, to the center of Rome. This is the easiest. No need for a special cab or driver. Just get to the que outside the station. The train is 14E each to Termini and then a cab. The local train is 8E to St Peters station and cab from there. I would opt for the last option.

Not sure how many are in your group, but I decided after 14 hours on a plane, then getting thru customs in Rome, I just wanted to have a smiling face waiting for me, and that's what Rome Shuttle Service provided. They were wonderful, prompt (we were 3 hours late) and quite reasonable. So glad I did it!

Seems everyone is advising I get a cab form the airport.. I did contact romecab.com. They charge 50 euro.. I guess that might be best.. out of courisoty how much is it to do the train and metro?? Just wondered Michelle

I think Nigel's point is that some of us are trying to teach you to fish, rather than just handing you a fish. If you use some of the resources you're given here, you can figure these things out (and a whole lot more) on your own. It's a much more polite version of "JFGI."

I'm part of everyone and I'm not telling you to take a taxi. I gave you a link to Ron in Rome's webpage which has exact answers to your specific questions. You said you would look at the webpage when you had time. I'm surprised that after I gave you that link and you said you would look at it, yet you are still asking the same specifics covered there. Have you read the information. As part of everyone I suggest that you look at the information and decide for yourself, knowing what your abilities and concerns are, your financial situation, and your confidence level and that of your traveling companion(s) if any. You have the information.