Best way from FCO to Vatican

You can take the train to the Vatican area also for around 12 euros if you are on a lower budget, know how to take public transportation and not averse to walking with Google maps

Rick, here are all the suggested ways of getting from Fiumicino to central Rome:

https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-to-and-from?p_p_id=it_txt_adr_cookiepolicy_web_portlet_AdrCookiePolicyBannerPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view

If you want to go directly from airport to your hotel, then taxi is your best choice: 50-euro flat fee to accommodations "within the walls", which I assume you will be? Where exactly is your hotel?

Least expensive but safe and comfortable are airport shuttle coaches.
https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-bus

SIT coach service has a route which goes to the Vatican area; it drops off at Via Crescenzio 19, which is behind Castel Sant'Angelo, and from there you'd need to walk to your hotel. Again, whether this is a good choice or not depends on where that hotel is? https://www.sitbusshuttle.com/en/.

You could also take the Fiumicino Express to Termini and a cab from there but if you were to do that, I'd just go with a cab from the airport as cost difference wouldn't be enough to quibble over, and a direct transfer would probably be preferable over a 2-stage (train + cab) process for a first-timer.

The best way is a private car service, and the one we use is only a bit more expensive than a regular taxi.

After a long flight it is very nice to have a driver meet you inside the terminal and wisk you to your destination. The company known as Rome Cabs is definitely a car service and not a taxi company despite the name. We send an email detailing our needs and get an answer within 24 hours. This is the link to their site. https://www.romecabs.com/.

Also you might want to get a hundred or so Euros before you leave home. It really makes life easier because you don't have to hassle with finding an ATM, hoping it works (they do malfunciton from time to time), and doing it while jet lagged. Be sure to check with your bank and credit card companies to see if you need to give them a travel notice. Otherwise they may see a foreign transaction, suspect fraud, and block your access.

Take the cab

I also suggest the private car service if possible. It’s more expensive than public transit, but similar cost to a cab. For 2 people on their first trip it just makes everything easier. You’ll have a driver waiting holding a sign with your name on it. So there’s no taxi lines, buying train tickets, worrying about fares - it’s all arranged ahead of time. Your hotel might be able to set it up or use something like RomeCabs.

Remember trains are priced per person while cabs/car services are generally in total (more if you need a big car for 5 people but that’s not your situation).

And yes, euros at the airport. However, credit cards are easier and much more widely accepted than even 2 years ago. You might not need nearly as much cash as you think. You will still need some, but don’t take too much. Better to get a small amount and then use ATMs in the city if you need more cash later.

Agree with the poster who mentioned it is nice to be meet at baggage after a long trip...we used a shuttle service that was 5Euro more than a regular cab would have been and no need to track down $ to pay as it is prepaid online when you book the reservation. They will also wait if you flight is late up to a point....It was with Suntransfers I believe and was a very easy process from the booking to the pick up at the hotel. I would use them again. After being up for about 24 hours I just wanted to be whisked right to the hotel without having to haggle, or hunt for a cab.