Four of us are arriving at FCO at 2 in the afternoon, and then we're taking the train to Florence. The cost for the "Leonardo" express to Rome Termini for 4 (2 kids) is 42 euros and it takes 30 minutes and departs every 30 minutes. The flat rate for a cab is 45, so price isn't the issue. Speed and convenience and are! My questions: 1) How long does it take to get baggage at the airport? (High-maintenance husband won't travel with just a carry-on.) 2) For those who've arrived in Rome on the Leonardo Express and then gone directly to another city, how far is the "Leonardo" track from the others? 3) Has anyone taken a cab from the airport to the station? How long does it take? And how long did you have to wait for a cab at the airport? If anyone has personal experience taking a cab, I'd love to hear it. We're overlapping with old friends for one night in Florence and I'd rather spend time hearing about their trip and catching up with them than be hanging out waiting for trains! Thank you.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Your longest "waiting" period at the Airport will probably be waiting on your luggage. My experiences - and I have flown in/out of FCO too many times - are quite varied. My best time was about 15-20 minutes... My worst, more than 1.5 hours! It's really luck-of-the-draw. I will say that lately it has been better! Read this post, plenty of pictures and video - although it is geared to folks coming from the US - it may assist you on your arrival at FCO. Arriving at Roma Termini Station, the Leonardo Express s you off at Track 25, a satellite track. It's about a 10 minute walk to the main part of the station from track #25- which is where you catch trains to most other parts of Italy - certainly the fast, or Le Frecce, trains. Depending on traffic (and your driver), it's about 30 minutes to Roma Termini from FCO by taxi. We often call the taxi ride from FCO the flight AFTER the flight!. There will be no waiting, but you should head ONLY to to the taxi queue. IGNORE any "private" taxi drivers or folks asking you if you need a cab. ONLY go in a Roma-certified taxi from a taxi stand. The LE takes 31 minutes to get into town and departs about every 30 minutes - so depending on your timing (and traffic on the route) it could be a wash regarding time. Because the cost it so close, I may opt for the taxi - but we often ride taxis into town so we're quite comfortable doing so.
Posted by
OP
Olde Europe
21 posts
Ron, thanks for the information and link. Love your site. Looks like unless we've just missed a train, taking a cab won't be much faster. Now if only I could convince my husband not to check his bag... Thanks again!
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
I agree with Ron on times on getting out of the airport. I would skip the taxi and arrange for a driver in advance. Its not unheard of to wait in a line for a taxi and there are drivers that try not to honor the flat rate of 45 euro. Plus, if you book a car in advance you'll have a van with guaranteed AC and plenty of room for your party of 4 and its luggage. I've had good luck with www.TransfersRome.com.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
162 posts
Smith, I am in Rome right now. We arrived yesterday at FCO from Philadelphia. We had two carry-ons and one checked bag (high maintenance fiance, ugh!!!). It took us an hour to get our checked bag. We booked with Romacabs and do not have a cell phone, so I was worried after an hour from when our flight landed, they would have left! THEY DIDN'T!! A very friendly driver was standing there with our name on a card!! Such a relief and soooo happy we booked with them. We paid 45E and it took 30 minutes to our b&b in the Vatican area. I highly recommend them!! Oh, and we were picked up in a large comfortable black shiny van with LOTS of luggage room!!!