Stay pre-flight FCO

Is this for an international flight where you need to arrive at the airport 3h early and you’ll have a car to return? If so, I think for my peace of mind I’d choose to drive to the airport after spending a nice long day in Tarquinia, return the car, check into an airport hotel and have breakfast before heading to the gate at 9:30 the morning of the flight. I realize it’s only an hour drive under good conditions but with a costal road, traffic, rental car/shuttle, etc. I’d choose less stress on the morning of my flight.

Yes it is an international flight - good common sense advice. Any recommendations near the airport?

We spent the night before our FCO flight in Fregenae. It was about 5 minutes from FCO. Nice little seaside town, had a nice dinner and walked to the beach and watched the sunset and the planes taking off. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
Brad

I share your conservatism, but I'd point out that Rome does have a dedicated, single-seat-ride, train to the airport, which many American cities do not. So I'd let your decision be informed by your travel class, your amount of luggage, and your hopes for the last day. We had a similar decision to make on returning by car from Sinalunga, Tuscany the day before our flight.

We chose the Hilton on-airport, because our flight was even earlier. (This is a walk-in, with a private elevator to the concourse!) But the hotel was crowded, slow-check-in, noisy, expensive and the restaurant closed early. (Sorry if it sounds like I'm hiding my feelings.) It's common for off-airport hotels in Italy to charge for their shuttle, and for it to be a contractor, not in house. That always makes me nervous, especially if I want the "first" run!

Another great answer- thank you.

I have stayed three times at the Tiber Hotel in Fiumicino. They are something like half the cost of the Hilton at the airport (although I have also stayed there and it was fine.). Tiber runs a shuttle to and from the airport for a small fee. - it takes less than 15 minutes. They are located on a canal where fishing boats dock. The hotel has a restaurant that was good. There are also many other restaurants nearby.

We have flown out of FCO back to the US on two separate trips. Several years ago, when it was just my husband and me, we spent our last night in Rome and arranged for a taxi to take us from our hotel in Rome to FCO. On our most recent trip (2019), when we were there with our (then) 3 year old son, we stayed at the Hilton FCO the night before our flight. We found the Hilton to be reasonably priced (it wasn't any more expensive than our Rome hotel), comfortable, and incredibly convenient. We're going back to Italy this summer with our (now) 5 year old, and will stay at the Hilton FCO the night before. It's just so much easier to wake up and already BE THERE, plus our kiddo loves the idea of spending the night "at the airport". But, it really comes down to which type of traveler you are - we are neurotic about being at the airport at least 3 hours early, so staying as close as possible feels better to us.

Not sure whether to stay in Tarquinia and get up early on Tuesday or just see the sites and get closer to the airport on Monday night

I would not stay 50 miles outside of Rome the nite before my flight. I would tour during the day, get the rental car returned and stay in Rome proper, preferably in walking distance to Roma Termini station. We'd have a nice dinner and walk around, taking in the sights one last time. Sometime that evening we'd go over to the station and buy our tickets for the Leonardo Express. The next morning we'd walk over to the station, validate our tickets and get on the train. Around 8:30am to 9am, getting us to the airport 3 hours before the flight.

We stayed at one of the FCO airport hotels the nite before once, never again. Not cheap, and for all intents and purposes we might as well have left Italy. It felt like we could have been in a hotel anywhere. Not much to do but let the hours go by until time to go to bed, and the food in the restaurant was pricy and mediocre.

Thanks to all! Taking all into consideration!!

Don't forget that you will need proof of a negative Covid test within one day of departure, in order to board a flight back to the USA.

Best wishes and have a nice flight home.

Ciao.

Recently stayed at Airport Hilton. I’ve been to Rome about 6 times and never had done this, but it was so easy and convenient that I will definitely do it again for early flights.

Clean room. Safe. Very friendly and helpful staff.

I always stay at the Hilton-airport--easy walk to gates--they have very nice restaurants, a good sized exercise room, pool and great rooms. Last thing you need is stress before flying home.