how to meet up at rome airport

Jane,

Are you staying in Rome? If so, you might find it easiest to meet at the hotel. You will likely be able to drop off your luggage there and enjoy a walk around Rome. Sometimes hotels are even able to let you check in early. You can always leave a note at the front desk for your fellow traveller if you leave the hotel.

When I am meeting people in Europe, I have often found it easiest to try and meet at the hotel. That way if someone's plane is delayed the other one doesn't get stuck in the airport.

Hi Jane,
I don't remember too many options for hanging out at the airport. We wandered around for a while waiting to catch a bus that would get us to Ostia, but by the end of the hour we were getting bored and ended up anxiously waiting for the bus by the curb.

No, we are not staying in Rome. We will be taking the train to Lucca. We haven't purchased train tickets yet, will do that once in Italy. Does anyone know if the baggage claim area is the same for all airlines? Are the terminals for Alitalia and Air France close to each other?

Thanks,

Jane

Ciao Jane,

If you both are coming from the States, most inbound flights from the US arrive in Terminal C (or Satellite C). If so, both of you will get luggage through Arrivals terminal C & B. But because Terminal C is being renovated - EVERYONE EXITS through the B Terminal Arrivals. If you get your luggage here, you will exit through frosted, sliding glass doors in the public Terminal (where all the limo drivers and folks waiting hang out.) On your immediate LEFT as you exit the doors is a meeting spot - in fact on the pole it says MEETING SPOT. This is a good place to wait. For more info on FCO and arrivals, CLICK HERE

Thanks Ron. Do you think there is time for me to take some kind of transportation (like a quick tour) to see the Mediterranean since I arrive 4 hours before my sister?

Thanks,

Jane

Unless you're going by Taxi I would not think this would be too viable. You would have to ride the train into Ostiense from the Airport, then transfer to the LIDO train (located at the Ostiense/Piramide/Lido Station), then ride the train out to Ostia... This would probably (easily) take about an hour each way...

Once there, many of the beaches are private in Ostia. If you take a taxi, you could go to beaches north of the airport (2 miles) and it would take FAR LESS time. The beaches north (IMHO) are much nicer than the Fiumicino and Ostia beaches. But there is really no "public transport" headed there from the Airport. Some of the Cotral buses might head in that direction, but I've never used them to go north - just into town! Of course you have to make sure you can get back...

If you take a taxi into the cities south of the Airport there are many hotels. You could probably get them to call a cab for you... so yes, it can be done - certainly far easier by taxi.

Thanks for all your help Ron! Wish us luck, we leave tomorrow!

Jane