Transfers in Rome

You can take the Leonardo Express train from Fiumicino to Termini Station. The train runs twice an hour and costs 11 euro per person. However if you plan on taking a taxi from Termini to your hotel I would opt instead for a taxi direct from the airport. There is now a flat rate of 40 euro from Fiumicino to the city center. The drivers at Termini have the highest incident of ripping people off. They know you probably just arrived and have no idea where you are. I go for the door-to-door service after a TransAtlantic flight. Well worth the extra euro.

Go with the Leonardo Express. It is a relaxing ride after the hassle of flying. When you get to Termini, you will be lost. But relax. If you got a google map showing Termini and your hotel, you can walk there without too much trouble. The biggest problem always seems to be the initial street as it seems every bus and train terminal has a thousand streets and they all look alike and have no signs that you can find. Worse, there are cabs and buses all over and people walking everywhere but it is easy and if you can't find the street you need, pull out your map, show it to a bus driver or policeman and they will point you in the right direction. Meanwhile, take in the hustle and bustle or Rome where you yourself in a day or so will be walking around like a native.

Absolutely the Leonardo Express... it was super easy. There are tons of ticket counters selling tickets for the train when you get to the airport station, but we just used our credit card and bought tickets from the machines at the entrance to the train platform -- super easy and convenient!

Laura, something I found very helpful when I travelled in Italy was emailing my hotels before I left asking them for directions from the train station to their hotel. They all responded with very easy to follow directions giving me street names and turn right, turn left etc.

We just got back from Rome a few hours ago. I used this company for both the trip from the airport to our hotel, and back to the airport this morning.

They were great. I paid 40E, not the 35E they are advertising now...I think I missed the price drop.

Very reliable. Good drivers. Our driver this morning was right on time at 8AM to pick us up, and made it to FCO by 8:45AM, giving us plenty of time to find our airline desk and get to the gate before our 11AM flight!

After an overnight trip, and not knowing the area of our hotel (Bologna metro stop) it was great to be picked up and dropped off (at night) at the front door of our hotel) Also, we could have taken the Metro, then the train to the airport, but it was totally worth the extra Euro to be picked up with our luggage and purchases and not worry about crowded Metro trains, and hoofing it to the train for FCO at Termini!

http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/

We were in Rome last month, and after a long flight from Ca. arriving about 9PM, decided to take a cab. I knew it was 40 euro, but the driver insistd that was for 1 person; for two, he insisted on 50. If you decide on a cab, there is a big sign at the taxi stand at the airport showing the taxi rate into Rome. If you have a digital camera or phone, take a picture, in case you get into a hassle. Since you will be arriving in the AM, after a short flight, try the train, but only if you don't have more than one small suitcase or backpack. It is quick, cheap, and Termini will be an easy walk to your hotel. But, be very careful crossing streets!!! There is real risk. Ciao.

Check out Terravision.eu. We use this service alot and have always had good luck.

Lois,
Thanks for the very helpful information above. I'm definately interested in using Terravision Transfer Service in Rome. However, their web site says that you have to have a ticket from certain airlines (all small regional ones). Do you find that they enforce this, or have you been able to use them after arriving on US based carriers?
Thanks.

Do not take a cab ride. It is a total waste of your hard earned money. The train at the airport is easy to find and use. It will be an experience that you should NOT miss. Termini will seem a little overwhelming at first, but there are helpful people all over. As someone earlier posted, by day 2 you'll be walking around like a local. Do not miss this opportunity, you'll be proud of yourself and ready for any challenge there after. This from a husband and wife first timers, as of mid Nov. this year. Have fun, use the saved money for some good food.

The service that I used this past April and that I would definitely recommend again is http://www.airportconnection.it/ShuttleServicetesto.htm

They are super nice and super super fast. They meet you in the arrivals area. When we came out the door, we were a little confused. My mom was struggling with her bags and dropped her water bottle. This very nice man helped her retrieve it. It turns out that this was our driver. He had no idea who we were and still took the time to help my mom. As soon as we recognized each other, he grabbed the bags from my Mom and Dad and we were away! I have never gotten from the airport to the hotel in such a short time. I was really amazed.

My mom and dad will be going back again some time this April without me. I will be making their reservation with this company again. Yes, it is more expensive than the train, but I think it is worth it.

Hi All--

Thanks to the replies, I am back from my trip and did in fact take the Leonardo Express into town. It was very convenient. Getting off at the station and trying to figure out which was to go was an adventure, but one we made it through. I would agree that after getting your bearings Rome is an easy city to get around.

Funny story on the way back to the airport for our return trip, the automated ticket machine ate my 20 euros, it will be interesting to see if I ever get a refund back! :) (I filled out a form, but I'm not holding my breath!)