I thought I’d contact our hotel to see if they have a recommended car service, but would also appreciate suggestions from anyone here who’s done this recently. How far in advance should we book? What’s a typical fee (there are 2 of us and our flight is scheduled to arrive at 7:45 on a Sunday morning; our hotel is near Campo de Fiori) and customary tip? Definitely want a car service and not the train; after a red eye flight we want to make it easy on ourselves). What’s the preferred form of payment— would ApplePay be an option or should we have cash? Thanks!
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
993 posts
I have pre-booked pick-up from FCO through either Rome Cabs (not a taxi company) or Welcome Pick-up. Cost is €60 for the trip which is prepaid from home. Drivers to not expect a tip for a straightforward drive from FCO to the city. In fact in Italy tipping is not a thing, at most a rounding up of the bill in a bill in a restaurant. Read up on tipping in the RS guide book to Rome.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7229 posts
Taxi is flat rate 50 euros
No tip
Pay with card or cash
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
695 posts
I recommend taking a taxi. I just flew into Rome in October, and found the taxi efficient and professional.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17562 posts
We took the flat rate taxi to our hotel. (€50) and it was fine. The driver was fast and skillful. To do this, you go to the queue for the official Rome taxis and ignore all the touts who will offer you a ride for less. At the front of the line there will be someone managing the line and you say you want an official Rome taxi at the fixed rate.
Your hotel near Campo Fiori is within the flat rate service area (Aurelian Walls).
https://www.rome-airport.info/rome-airport-taxi.html
If you find that intimidating and would prefer to prepay for a private driver and have them waiting for you, holding up a sign with your name on it, there are a number of reliable companies that will do this. Rome Cabs is one, or you could ask your hotel for recommendations.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8124 posts
What’s the preferred form of payment— would ApplePay be an option or should we have cash?
If you prebook, often you pre-pay. For taxis, they all are required to take credit card, when you approach, hold up your credit card, tell them you have no cash. There seems to be a rash of broken card machines often (they prefer cash). Not sure about contactless, I assume their readers have that capability these days, since it is common in Italy. As a backup, cash works, but no need to go out of your way to have euros on hand.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
No need to book anything. Walk out of the terminal and there is a taxi stand in front of each terminal with dozens of taxicabs waiting in line to load passengers. Never had to wait more than 2-3 minutes in line before it was my turn to board one.
Flat fare is €50 (all inclusive) to anywhere in the city center within the Aurelian City Walls.