Rome/FCO Airport Zoo/worthless TI

"Fiumicino", not "Flumicino", FWIW.

I have to admit I thought you had trouble finding a zoo as well and was a little confused by the title. Had you spent time in Rome earlier in your trip? If so, then in your case it might have been easier staying out near the airport for that last night depending on what time the arrival from Sicily was. We would still go back into Rome though for a last night, we love wandering there, maybe just pack the clothes for the final day in a light bag and look for luggage storage for the rest at the airport or at Roma Termini. Sorry that last day of your trip was so stressful and glad to hear that you did enjoy the trip overall besides that.

donna, sorry to hear that your trip wasn't all that you expected, and that you're not entirely pleased with the advice provided here. I have a few comments. ¶ Regarding the [INVALID] tag - due to the recent "technical problems" on the website, that occurs with certain words. If you check your posts and see the tag, do an "Edit" and misspell the word slightly so that [INVALID] doesn't occur. ¶ Regarding the trip from Termini to Aberdeen, I took the same route a few months ago. The Leonardo Express is the quickest way into Rome, especially as it's not subject to traffic problems, and it's often the most cost effective method (I usually pay €14 if buying tickets from the machine). I also took a Taxi from Termini to the Aberdeen, but ONLY because I wasn't familiar with that particular area and was tired after the flight (I can't remember what the fare was?). I walked from the Hotel back to Termini on many occasions, including on departure with a 50 lb. Backpack. No problem at all. What kind of luggage were you using? ¶ I can't comment on the T.I. at FCO, as I've never had occasion to use it. ¶ Regarding the "Zoo" at FCO, I've also had some experience with that this year (which was different than past trips). When I arrived on a flight from Frankfurt, after waiting over 30 minutes for my luggage to appear on the Carousel, I finally asked someone and was told that luggage for my flight was assigned to a Carousel in another Terminal (it would have been nice if someone had mentioned that)! Getting my checked Bag involved going to the other terminal, waiting in a long queue and AGAIN going through security (even though I wasn't boarding a flight). The process took about 90 minutes and I WASN'T impressed! I just chalked it up to "oh well, this is Italy". ¶ Hopefully your future trips to Italy will be somewhat more pleasant. Cheers!

THat sounds terrible, Donna. I've made that half-mile walk from Termini to the Aberdeen a couple of times, with my wheeled carry-on and a knapsack, and found it to be very pleasant. Of course, any recommendation to walk is going to be dependent on how much luggage you're bringing, and your physical energy at time of arrival. I am a little concerned you were charged 24 euro for that short taxi ride....it sounds like you were ripped off.

I'm searching for the question. How can we help you? Or are you just having a rant and letting off steam? ¶ Your post has an Invalid in it so is hard to understand. Can you rephrase for clarity, please. ¶ Which zoo were you trying to find?

Probably just a rant! Also maybe a warning to others who are arriving at FCO expecting some TI help from the information booth. A little disappointment in this blog regarding the advice to take the train to Termini and walk to hotels. Impossible to do with luggage, and more money than a direct taxi. "Zoo" is an American slang for a disorganized mess! We weren't looking for a zoo, just a place to stay close to the airport and wanting to avoid the taxi rip-offs. Re the "invalid" this is a remainder of a virus that attacked Rick Steves blog several weeks ago, and keeps showing up in my posts despite the fact that I'm not typing it. Sorry about that!

With the summer weather so good and still warm enough to swim and enjoy the water, Flumicino ( the town, not the airport) makes a nice change of pace instead of rushing around downtown Roma. We stayed at the Best Western (Hotel Riviera) Flumicino, it was one block from some of the most beautiful beaches around. We spent the day at the beach, several vendors rented beach chairs, and there was food and drink a few feet away. There are several ristoranti within walking distance of the hotel. Next morning the Best Western shuttle to the airport about 2 miles away got us there in plenty of time. I highly recommend this if you are only staying the night and leaving the next day. It reduced the rushing around and made our stay very enjoyable.

Thank you, thank you! This info is going into my permanent Rome file [INVALID] the only reasonable advice I've ever gotten when I've posted about where to stay near the airport. Sounds really relaxed and charming.......and a wonderful way to either end or start a trip via Rome to other parts of the country.

Actually, this was probably my 6th or so time through FCO in the past 10 or so years [INVALID] because I LOVE Rome and all of Italy [INVALID] things just seem to have changed there insofar as any help given by the TI who were rude as hell! And not to be forgotten the rip off cab drivers who wouldn't even quote a price! I thought it used to be [INVALID] just a little while ago 40eu flat rate from the FCO to anywhere in the city center. We had a fabulous 4 days in Rome at the beginning of the trip, stayed in Trastevere, then back to the Rome AP, on to Catania and another 10 days in Sicily. We missed the conntection back to the U.S., had to retrieve our bags, and try to figure out what to do for just that one night [INVALID] and it was convoluted and expensive for the 28eu train, then the 24eu cab ride. It was a long trip [INVALID] so I had more clothing than usual. My husband is 66 and I'm 59, and I have two bad discs in my back so the hauling of the bags through the terminals and then to the train, etc.,,........was a pain. I just don't remember having trouble at FCO ever before [INVALID] and am still p.o.d about the 24eu cab ride to the Aberdeen from Termini!~ We complained while in the cab, and he argued with us, and told us there was no other way to get there [INVALID] and we knew he was just running the meter up! Thanks for all your responses! Next time, if we exit via FCO we will stay in the town of Fiumicino at the Best Western, and take advantage of the free shuttle. We'd been up since 330am just to get the plane out of Catania, and only wanted dinner and a bed.

I still think the GENERAL advice to stay in Rome is valid but like all advice - it must be adapted to personal situation. If your plane is prior to 7 AM probably not as workable. If you have heavy or too much luggage which you apparent did coupled with some physical problems then walking any distance with luggage can be a problem that needs a better solution. If you have followed advice on this board you should have known that the taxi is fixed at 45E (raised to 45 on June 1st) and it would have been a better option for you. Doubt if a complete refusal to help but rather you just were not getting the answers you wanted because the answer might not have been available. Inexpensive and hotels around the airport do not go together well. One of the reasons we opt to the Hotel Contilla is that it is exact one block out the south side entrance to Termini and we use it just for the quick one night stay. The Aberdeen is a bit of hike if walking with luggage although we have done it a couple of times. We also use Hotel Sonya which is closer and just as nice as Aberdeen. I am sure you next trip will end a little better.

Frank, thanks for posting the information about Hotel Sonya. I might give it a try on the next visit. I note that they offer an airport shuttle for €25 (but this has to be pre-arranged one day in advance). Good to know!

donna, I found this year that poor Tourist Information agents are not exclusive to Rome. When I arrived at Frankfurt Airport this year for my flight home, I was having some difficulty finding the check-in area for the airline I was using. I asked some uniformed "Tourist Information / Customer Service" agents that were standing just inside the entrance. They had NO idea and were completely USELESS!!! ¶ I eventually got the information I needed from a Police Officer sitting in a small booth in the same part of the airport. He not only gave me excellent and detailed directions, but provided the desk numbers assigned to my airline (which made it easier to find them).

The TI was just so disappointing and frustrating to us and the other stranded American family. The first time I went to Italy with my husband and two young sons, we arrived at the Venice train station, and the TI printed a whole list of hotels w/prices and was so nice! He even said, an Italian American family here to see the homeland! How welcoming. The TI in Rome simply said that's not what we do [INVALID] when we asked what info she DID give she just turned her back on us. I guess what they do now, is collect a govt issued check and hold down a chair! We DID have a great two weeks prior to this!

I think a taxi to and from the airport is always the best way to go and makes spending your last night in Rome hassle free. It gives you door to door service without having to take multiple and inconvenient forms of transportation. It's worth the extra money to get to my destination the quickest and most direct route possible. Don't expect ANY help at a TI booth, or at a train station for that matter. I suppose every slacker has to have a job.