This is my husband and my first time to travel internationally without someone else doing all the planning. I was looking at the bus schedule from FCO airport to my hotel in Rome. It says I am going to have to take two different buses with several minutes of walking in between stops. Are there taxis or other transportation that will get us to the hotel more quickly without us dragging our luggage all around town? What are the best options? Should/can we schedule this transportation before we leave for Rome? Would we be better off scheduling a shuttle from the hotel or is that even an option.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2776 posts
It’s hard to say without knowing where your hotel is. You could take the train from FCO to the Termini station, then take a taxi to your hotel. There are always taxis outside the station.
Posted by
the great P-NW
380 posts
My vote for you is hotel shuttle if you can, and taxi if you can't. Rome was so chaotic that I wouldn't have wanted to take a bus (or two) with luggage. We got a taxi, shut our eyes, and held on.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6222 posts
The Fiumicino airport website has a designated section outlining all your transportation options.
https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-to-and-from
If your hotel is located within the Aurelian walls (look on Google Maps) then an official taxi will have a fixed rate of €55 from airport to hotel. This will be the easiest option with luggage.
Posted by
154 posts
Taxi would be the easiest. It may look like a long line to get a taxi, but it moves pretty quickly so don’t worry. I think it was a 25-30 minute wait for a taxi but this is when the airport was fairly busy.
Buses I wouldn’t trust. A lot of the direct buses to Rome had a long wait when I was at FCO.
There’s also a direct train route to Termini which would be convenient if your hotel is there or near a metro stop.
Posted by
271 posts
I used Rome Cabs (not a taxi a transfer service). https://www.romecabs.com/
They were prompt and friendly. I was a female traveling alone to the airport but they will also pick you up at the airport. My sister and her friends used them for transport to the cruise terminal from our hotel.
Posted by
Seattle
236 posts
Over a few visits to Rome I have taken the train to Trastevere station and then the #8 tram to our centro storico hotel; another instance of an official white taxi to our hotel in the Prati rione and finally, the hotel's shuttle van service to Celio neighborhood, near the Colosseum. The train / tram combo was the least expensive though certainly the most cumbersome having to deal with carry on wheeled bag and personal bag ourselves, while the train wasn't packed the tram definitely was so it took some jostling and effort; taxi was easy, simple, virtually no waiting (we knew to ignore solicitations from rogue drivers) and taking the shuttle van was €10 more than a taxi but the most 'luxurious' with driver holding my name on placard inside terminal, handling my bags from the terminal on, late model Mercedes van itself was exclusive to me, included a bottle of water and the driver was engaging and happy to answer my questions. Choosing the shuttle van was an intentional splurge in part because I was traveling solo and liked the thought of being pampered from the jump.
Posted by
190 posts
Another vote for taking a taxi. While we have used the public transportation system in all the major European cities we have visited, including Rome; when arriving on a long haul flight, wrangling luggage and battling jet lag, my husband and I adopted a rule for ourselves that we always take a cab. I also have a card with the name of the hotel and the address written on it to hand to the cab driver. While most cab drivers speak English, it is helpful and many seem to prefer it; there is no confusion.
Posted by
Atlanta
5430 posts
Upon arrival you will be tired, jet lagged, and on new turf for the first time. And have luggage to handle. Do not stress nor inconvience yourself by taking a bus or train. There are (in my opinion) only two possibilites to consider.
First is a regular taxi. It is a flat rate into the city. Have a 3x5 card to give the driver (although most speak better English than I speak Italian) with the name and address of the hotel and the flat rate. They all take credit cards and no tipping is necessary. Just be sure to use the official taxi rank -- avoid anyone who approachs you in the termainal offering a "taxi" service.
The second is a car service. We've used Rome Cabs (cited above) a number of time and have always been pleased. After a long flight, being sleepy, and having to deal with luggage, there isn't anything better than having your driver meet you in the terminal and wisk you to the hotel. It will cost a little bit more than a regular taxi, but it well, well worth it. Just send them an email telling of your needs and you should get a response within 24 hours.
Some have had good luck having the hotel arrange a shuttle. But, you might wind up with a taxi, a car service, or the desk clerk's brother-in-law. We wound up with a brother-in-law once, but there were four of us and only one of him, so all went well.