Taxi or Fiumicino airport hotel?

With that early start, I would stay at an airport hotel - check Booking.com - there are three hotels as part of the terminal.

Yes, taxis operate that early, as well as private drivers. For a taxi, you would need to reserve ahead. and there used to be an additional charge before a certain hour, and handling the wheelchair might incur a small charge like extra bags.

The best advice is usually to talk to the hotel, they likely have either a service they use, or are familiar with arranging a taxi (If you are staying in an AirBnB type place, then look for a private service). While 4 hours might be general advice, that early in the morning you could probably fudge a bit.

I do though wonder about your nephew's plan, a 7:00 pickup would give him about two hours, they usually recommend three for International flights, and sometimes for FCO you need almost all of that three, others may have recent experience. If an inter-Schengen flight, that might work, but if I am herding a group, I usually like a bit of a buffer.

If you have to be at the airport at 5:45, I would suggest you be easy on yourself and stay at the Airport Hilton the night before, which is connected to the terminal via elevators and a covered walkway.

Definitely stay at the Airport Hilton the night before. There’s a covered elevated walkway with a rubber cart / wheelchair track all the way to the terminal so you should be able to ride in without delay. Good luck!

The rest of the family has reserved transport to the airport at 7am

They leave for the airport at 7 or plan to arrive at the airport at 7?

If from central Rome the former is extraordinarily optimistic; the latter just a bit snug.

For your situation I would choose the airport hotel.

You might check to make sure, but the Hilton at FCO has a shuttle from the hotel to the terminals (most recently used last June). We’ve walked from the car rental return to the hotel, but always used their frequent shuttle over to our terminal the next morning.

I have used Bob's Limos in Rome for airport and other transports for years - they are so reliable and have immaculate cars and vans. You can book online; however, I would suggest emailing to explain your needs.

https://www.romelimousines.com/

Email: [email protected]

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. We are going to stay at the airport Hilton to make it less stressful. We will still need a taxi or ride to the airport the evening before, but I feel better tackling that than in the early morning.

We are staying at an AirBnB so won’t be able to arrange transport through a hotel.

My nephew planned for transport pickup at 6:30 to arrive at the airport at 7am. That makes me uneasy for myself. They are all younger and move faster so they can hopefully manage, though they have 2 active toddlers so it may be more challenging.

Thanks, again!

You might check to make sure, but the Hilton at FCO has a shuttle from the hotel to the terminals (most recently used last June). We’ve walked from the car rental return to the hotel, but always used their frequent shuttle over to our terminal the next morning.“

Is this the same Hilton hotel with the covered walkway to the airport? Is it a long walk so they also provide shuttle?

I have used Bob's Limos in Rome for airport and other transports for years“

Thank you! I’m going to look into their services. We may use them during our stay. I’m wondering if taxis will be able to accommodate my wheelchair. My nephew says we should be able to just find taxis available when needed?

Yes, the Hilton can be accessed by a covered walkway….and they offer quick shuttles to the terminals. I’m not sure about shuttles from the terminals to the hotel.

My nephew says we should be able to just find taxis available when needed?

In Rome, you need to go to a taxi rank as opposed to flagging one down. Uber type apps really do not exist, though Uber does operate as Uber Black. You can use the taxi app Freenow, basically you can reserve a taxi for pickup, not sure how immediate it is. A pickup will incur an additional charge, though you will know ahead what the ride will cost.

There are 2 Hilton hotels that include 'Rome airport' as part of their name.

1- https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/fcoapgi-hilton-garden-inn-rome-airport/
This one has shuttle buses to the terminal

2- https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/romaptw-hilton-rome-airport/
This one is connected to the airport and has walkways to the Terminals

Be sure not to confuse them