How far in advance to I need to be at FCO airport for return to U.S.?

If you are there by 8 a.m. you should be ok. You will need to go to T5 for check-in and security if you are leaving from FCO. How will you be arriving at the airport? I always use the Leonardo Express from the Stazione Termini for 11 euro.

Buon viaggio,

RB

We are leaving from the Travestere area and will have extra luggage as my daughter is returning from her study abroad (she bought too much!). I was thinking of getting a taxi or shuttle (there will be four of us).

Laura, minimum of two hours preferably 3. We arrived for our last flight out about 3 hours ahead of time. Husband thought I was nuts to insist on it. However, since we arrived at the gate only 10 minutes before they started boarding our flight, I don't think he will ever think I am nuts again. There was a HUGE line of people checking into flights at US Airways and the airport kept losing power totally slowing down the whole process. We too had a flight out around 10 in the morning.

You could ask your hotel for a shuttle service with a van. It may be somewhat costly, but worth the effort.

The post after mine suggested 3 hours and that is a good idea, also. The boarding gate areas at FCO are nice and it could give your daughter a last chance to buy more stuff she cannot live without.

Buon viaggio,

RB

On our flight out of Rome around 10am, the lobby was completely FILLED with people. I would get there 3 hours early.

Have a look at Romecabs. Gets very good reviews for punctuality, service etc on Tripadvisor.

http://www.romecabs.com/transfers.html

Your airline is best placed to advise you on time to be at the airport. Security checks really slow things down plus the fact you have to move to another terminal.

On our last trip from Fiumicino we were there almost 3 hours early, and barely made our United Air flight back to the States.

The place was PACKED, and the lines were not moving.

For our trip this June I am going to use a shuttle to make sure that we get there at least 3 hours before the flight.

I also think that 3 hours or at least 2 1/2 hours is preferable. We flew Delta and the line was long and it took us a while to get through it. Italians are known for their laid back nature so extra time is always a bonus.

Min 3 hrs. before your flight. We were there in March and it went like this: Dropped off by our shuttle at a separate location away from the terminal to go thru security. (This is new for flights going to the U.S.) You will stand in 3 separate lines. One to have your passport checked and mark your baggage. Next line will be to check-in for flight. Last line to go thru screening machines. Once you go thru this, you are then taken to the terminal on a bus to get to your gate.

Our concern was how long it would take to get from central Rome to the airport on a Monday during rush hour. The traffic in the direction of the airport was not bad at all. It only took us 30 minutes.
We got to the airport about 2 1/2 hours ahead of our flight and that was more than enough time even though our cab driver dropped us off at the wrong terminal.

I am always 3 hours early for an international departure. You have to do your security check in Terminal 5 and then are bused to the departure terminal. I had to wait a good while last time for the bus. Don't cut yourself too short.

A very important question before anyone can answer. Is your flight direct to the US from Rome or a connecting flight in Europe somewhere and then a direct to the US. Makes a big difference in your time and what you should do. A 10 AM flights suggests a connecting flight.