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transit strikes - FCO to city center

Posted by (California, USA) on

We'll be arriving in Rome (FCO) on 5 September 2025 mid afternoon. We were planning to take Leonardo Express from FCO to Roma Termini then take Metro A to Spagna, just a couple minutes' walk to our airbnb. Our thought is that a taxi might take longer in Friday afternoon/evening traffic and getting as immersed as possible is always a good start to a vacation. The cost difference isn't that important to us.

But I've seen that there's a planned multi-sectoral transit strike the day we arrive.
https://www.summerinitaly.com/traveltips/transport-strikes-in-italy
https://scioperi.mit.gov.it/mit2/public/scioperi

I understand from reading this forum (thank you!) that Leonardo Express runs even in the event of strikes, but I'm not clear on the full impact of a strike.

Should we just expect to take a taxi at the airport instead of Leonardo Express and Metro?

Posted by
8404 posts

I would just take a taxi-fixed rate 55 euros rather than deal with transfers and walking/ hunting for address after long overnight flight (I assume from California)

Go to official taxi rank-ignore anyone offering a taxi before then, hand the driver your address and confirm that card machine is working or pay with cash
No tip

Posted by
14 posts

I would just take a taxi-fixed rate 55 euros rather than deal with
transfers and walking/ hunting for address after long overnight flight
(I assume from California)

Go to official taxi rank-ignore anyone offering a taxi before then,
hand the driver your address and confirm that card machine is working
or pay with cash No tip

Thanks for the recommendation. I think that's probably the safest/easiest after our flights. We'll have plenty of time to take the metro while we're there!

Posted by
476 posts

Hello,
A taxi is worth every penny-fast efficient and a great way to start off your vacation- no tip but for an exceptional driver who helps with your bags one or two euros is appreciated.

Posted by
14 posts

Hello,
A taxi is worth every penny-fast efficient and a great way to start off your vacation- no tip but for an exceptional driver who helps with your bags one or two euros is appreciated.

Thanks! Sounds like taxi is the way to go.

Posted by
8799 posts

I would keep yourself a bit flexible and explore more options to have in your pocket, to deal with what you see when you land. Let's face it, while "take a taxi" seems easy, if indeed transport into and within the city is severely hampered, everybody and their brother will be looking for a taxi, you could be waiting hours.

Usually these strikes materialize and evaporate like a mist, and rarely are a complete shutdown. Even with a strike, either the Leonardo Express or the commuter FL1 train may still be running just fine. The FL1 does not go to Termini, but does stop at Trastevere Station and Tiburtina Station.

The bus is another option, either to Termini or elsewhere, I would have a couple of those options planned out.

Posted by
22 posts

I agree with others about using a taxi, however write out the addresses of where you plan to go on post-it notes and hand it to the driver. In more cases than not English is their second language when traveling to another country. Writing out the address on post-it notes made all of my taxi rides easier.

Posted by
14 posts

I would keep yourself a bit flexible and explore more options to have in your pocket

As a backup, I can still take Leonardo Express to Termini and from there either take the metro (if it's running) or grab a taxi or bus.
I hadn't thought about a bus but I'll make sure to have some route options.

write out the addresses of where you plan to go on post-it notes and hand it to the driver

Done! It's in the backpack I'll be carrying with me, along with other important documents.

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