Rome:transportation from airport and first day

Take a taxi www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en-/pax-fco-taxi and spend what you've saved on a good dinner.

Depending on where your hotel is located, you can take the Leonardo express train to Termini for 56 euro total, or a regional train to Trastevere, Ostiense, Tuscolana, or Tiburtina for 32 euro total. With 4 people, a taxi would be in the 50 euro total range. Finding a cab that will hold all 4 and luggage may be the issue. You could also find a private transfer booked in advance. Almost anything will beat 200 euro the hotel is asking.

Take a taxi. The taxi stand is just outside the terminal. It's a flat rate (49 euros as of last June). The luggage goes in the trunk, three people in the back seat, one in the front seat. There is usually a man at the taxi stand directing things and he'll get you into a taxi that will fit all of you.

Is this your first time in Rome? If yes, make a list of everything you want to see then cross off whatever the tour does; do what's left. I highly recommend Galleria Borghese (the museum, not just the park) and a day trip to Ostia Anticia.

You need to check that your hotel is in the set euro fare zone (search online) or you will be charged a lot more than 50 euros for a taxi. If you are outside the zone, then pre-arrange a private service for about 55 euros. Do not expect the taxi to take credit, so get euros from the ATM machine first, sometimes hard to find at the ends of the terminals.

After a long flight, some jet lag, not being familiar with the area, there is nothing better than having your private driver meet you inside the terminal and whisk you to your hotel. No fending off the rouge cabs, waiting in the regular taxi line, lugging luggage aboard trains, or just having a "lost" feeling. It is not the cheapest way, but it is definitely the best. We can not say enough good things about Rome Cabs. It is a private car service (not a cab company) but only cost about 10 Euro more than a regular taxi if you are going to central Rome . We always use them and have always been very pleased. Go to romecabs.com and see what you think. We send an email and they answer us with a quote within 24 hours. You do have to pay cash (Euros) and the end of the journey but not in advance. Not sure how many are in your party, but 50 euro per persons is way out of line to go to Rome proper. If you are going somewhere else that's a different situation altogether.

Go with TC's advice. If Romecabs are booked out try another reputable service like www.romeshuttleservice.com.

elan,

Transportation for €50 PP is expensive, and I'm surprised that the hotel doesn't offer a better deal for its guests. It would help to know which hotel you're staying in, or at least have some idea where it's located. Also, what did your tour information brochure suggest?

You could use the "flat rate" Taxi which I believe is €48 (may be extra charge for luggage). As I recall, there are details in the guidebook. If your hotel is located close to Termini station, using the Leonardo Express will be the fastest option (32 minutes, and not affected by traffic). You can buy your tickets at the airport rail station, either from a Kiosk or staffed ticket office. Unless the price has increased since I last checked, the cost will be €14 PP. If using the L.E., a couple of important points to mention....

• there are two rail services at FCO, the Leonardo Express and the FM-1. Be sure you board the correct train!
• you MUST validate your tickets prior to boarding the train, or you'll risk a hefty fine which will be collected on the spot!!!

When we went in 2008, we used one of the shuttle services they offer at the airport. There were more than a few there. They would be the ones who take a number of people to various places in the city in a van. You may be the first dropped or the last. I think we were the second dropped off. Hubby sat up front with the driver and got a very eye opening intro to Rome driving! I can't rem the price other than it was cheaper than the train in, and dropped us right at the accom instead of us trying to figure it out using the metro and our feet.

It sucks if you are near the end of the drop off tho. We used super shuttle in San Fran and were the second to last ones dropped and it was over an hour to get to our spot. And at 2am (due to a cancelled flight and an 8 hr delay to get another flight) we just wanted to be there already.

Here's another shuttle service that services the airport to locations in Rome, or wherever. They also offer private tours. http://www.fa-dincc.com/index.html I used them for transport to the airport and they were wonderful.

The flat rate for an official licensed Rome taxi ( white car with a maroon insignia on the door) is €48 for up to four people and includes luggage charges. If you choose this, make sure you get a cab only from the taxi stand---do not be fooled by touts who try to wave you away from the line for the official cabs.