I have a 6:30 a.m. flight from Rome back to the U.S. in mid-late March. I'm concerned about missing my flight if somehow my taxi ride from Prati district in Rome somehow falls through. I understand that the Rome airport is only open at the bottom level at around 5 a.m.
Is it prudent to find a hotel the night before so as to not miss the flight back home?
For a flight that early I would stay at the airport
Hilton Airport is actually connected to the terminals via pedestrian walkway
It depends a little bit on the flight. A 6.30am departure would suggest a local flight to another European airport for your flight home. Most direct flights back to the US don't depart until closer to noon and early PM. So you would not need to be at the airport before 5am and 5.30 is adequate. Staying at the Hilton will be expensive but it is very convenient. We have departed on a number of these early flights but always via taxi from downtown. If staying in a hotel I would not be concerned about miss a taxi but you have to get up an extra 30 mins or so for the ride. Staying at the airport is one less worry.
It all depends on your preferences. Two weeks ago our Rome to Heathrow fight departed at 6:30 am. We had spent a week in an apartment near Piazza Navona and didn't want to relocate for one night; we also wanted to spend that last evening dining and strolling in our neighborhood. So, we arranged for a driver in advance. He arrived right on time and we had a quick, traffic-free ride to the airport. But I can see the advantages of staying near the airport, "sleeping in" a bit, and strolling right into the airport.
@Den, what company did you use to arrange for a driver?
I've had many early morning flights out of Rome to other European destinations (a 6 a.m. one last month, in fact) and never had a problem with booking a shuttle service in advance. I'd much prefer to spend my final night in the city than in an airport hotel.
If you're concerned about getting to the airport on time, then the airport Hilton may be worth the price. I spent my last night there, some of the hotel cost was offset by substituting the low-cost Leonardo Express for a higher-cost taxi pickup. But different people have different risk tolerances and budgets. I'd been in Rome almost a week so that last night didn't matter as much to me.
Regarding a driver...unfortunately, I am no help at all. The owner of the apartment we stayed in offered to arrange our transport to and from the airport (at standard rates) so we accepted her help.
You need to be at the airport by 5:00-5:15.
At that time in the morning there will be zero traffic and a taxi will have you there in approximately 30 minutes.
I’ve taken early flights after staying in the city, but, when I spent only the last night in Rome, I stayed also at the airport Hilton, which is about 10 min walk from the terminal via aerial walkway. The cost of the Airport Hilton is not exorbitantly high. I’ve never paid over $250/night at the airport Hilton. I’m sure a similar hotel downtown Rome would be more.
By staying at the Hilton you get to sleep maybe 20-25 minutes longer, at best.
Whether you want to switch accommodations for the last night just to sleep 20 extra minutes is up to you. I don’t think I would if I were spending multiple nights in Rome before flying out. 20 extra minutes of sleep would not be worth the hassle of an extra hotel change. Not for me at least.
We happened to get a room at the Rome airport Hilton that backed on the elevator bank, and sleep was poor. Also hard to eat there after 8PM. Can be very busy, with waits in the lobby (pre-Covid.)
We have been three times to the airport Hilton. You can walk to the terminal. It is a nice hotel, but a bit assembly line so not special. I bet most folks stay for just one night and they treat you accordingly. It is very convenient . I would stay there.
