Town of Fiumicino

Although I haven't been, one of my friends swears by Ostia (which is right next to Fiumicino) instead. Most Ostia places have a shuttle that goes to the airport. Check it out on Google Earth and I think you'll like it. You can stay in one of the many hotels right on the water, if you want, as it's a popular resort, but not too high end. And you can take the bus or Metro to Ostia Antica and wander the ruins.

We took the city bus from Rome's Cornelia Station (we stayed near there). The bus went through what I believe was Fiumicino and we went right by the Courtyard. The town seemed more like a typical suburban one with not much interesting. If you have your car you could probably get around but it seemed that other transportation was pretty limited.

Jean: The Fiumicino Courtyard is located on the eastern or northeastern edge of the town of Fiumicino. The hotel is a typical airport hotel and not well situated for its guests to walk anywhere nice, that's not why it was located there. The hotel is 1 mile east, one-way, of the sea, but even if you did the 2-mile walk it would be a rather depressing way to start your fun vacation, because this is not a scenic part of the waterfront and there is a big breakwater for ships to come in which makes it look rather industrial. You could walk the short distance directly south of the hotel to the river but I'm not sure why you would want to. It probably is just going to be a kind of dead space day--unless you have sufficient daylight after your check-in to get to Ostia Antica, which would be worthwhile and is not far away although awkward to get to from the hotel location and certainly not within walking distance--ask at your hotel for transportation to there if you have enough daylight.

Fiumicino isn't your typical picturesque beach side town. For years it was famous for all the houses, stores, and apartment buildings that sprang up illegally over the past forty years and the narrow roads and lack of sidewalks reflect this all this building without planning. It's an town mostly for people who either work at the airport or work somewhere else, a true bedroom community. While there are some OK stretches of beach, especially one that is good for children, by October it will be windy and the beaches will be largely empty. You didn't mention what time you are arriving, by train it wouldn't be more than half an hour to Rome, you could go and just take a leisurely walk around Rome, enjoy the sites, and feel much more like you are in Italy than trying to enjoy Fiumicino.

Jean, Were went to Italy in October 2006. It was very warm when we arrived. We did stay at that same Marriott Courtyard. Depending on what time you arrive, they have a shuttle that will take you into the City, then come to pick you up. There is nothing nice within walking distance of the hotel. FYI..when we rented our car, for the first time we opted to get the "super" insurance! Do it!! We were hit by a crazy driver on a Vespa within 3 hours of arriving in Italy. There was damage to the car. When we returned the car after 4 weeks, the guy at Hertz said that it was good that we got the super insurance. We were completely covered..not questions asked! The accident was in Naples..They don't have laws for driving.