Hi all - We're going on the BOE 14 day tour which ends in Rome. I've never flown in or out of FCO before and am struggling with some logistics questions (and the airport website isn't particularly helpful). My lucky teenage daughter gets to extend her vacation by meeting up with some friends in France, and the rest of us are heading home to the US. DD is flying on EasyJet EARLY in the a.m. from FCO to Paris, leaving at 7 a.m. from Terminal 2. The rest of us are flying United back to the states, leaving at 9:50 a.m for EWR from Terminal 5 Here's my question(s). Our plan is that I will take DD to FCO early, make sure she gets checked in and safely to the security check, then head to Terminal 5 to hang out until our later flight (meeting up with DH and my other DD when they show up 2.5 hours later). But I've read on this forum that Terminal 5 doesn't open until 7:00 a.m., so does that mean that I physically cannot access Terminal 5 until then, or just that I can't check in and go to my gate until then? Also, we're flying business class on United and I know United doesn't have a Club lounge at FCO, but it says that it shares the Alitalia lounge and obviously it would be preferable to hang out in a lounge than at a gate if I can - but I can't figure out if I'll be able to access one of them from Terminal 5 (the llitalia website is less than helpful). Any info anyone can provide would be much appreciated.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Teminal 5 is not a regular terminal. No flights arrive or depart from Terminal 5. Terminal 5 is used for processing flights that return directly to the US or other foreign countries. Since most flights to the US don't leave until late morning or the afternoon there is no reason for Terminal 5 to open earlier than 7am.
You leave your daughter in Terminal 3, walk out the front door, turn right and follow the signs to the bus pick up for Terminal 5. The bus pick-up point is out-side right next to Terminal 3. Cannot miss it. Big sign. The bus take you to Terminal 5 where you will check in for your flight, go through security, and then take a bus back to Terminal 3 for your departure. But you are now behind security. My guess is that the lounge will be in Terminal 3 behind security. The rest of your family can either take a taxi directly to Terminal 5 or go to 3 and take the bus. If they come by train then they will use the bus at Terminal 3. Terminal 5 will not open for business until 0700 so if you are really early then you will have to wait.
Are you sure your flight is a direct flight back to the US? 9:50 is a little early for a direct flight to the US.
Posted by
OP
Denver
62 posts
Thanks Frank - and yes, our flight is direct from Rome to Newark - just double checked it - and it leaves at 9:50 a.m.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Should sail right through Terminal 5. Later in the day, Terminal 5 can get zooish with all of the other flights leaving. We had a noon flight to JFK so it took 45 mins to clear check in and security.
Posted by
OP
Denver
62 posts
And also Frank, since you seem to know your stuff about FCO - I'm assuming it's like a lot of airports insofar as you have to clear security in your own designated terminal - so that I couldn't, for example, go ahead and print my United Boarding Pass beforehand, and use it to clear security at the same place my daughter is clearing security with EasyJet to go to Paris and then just get myself to the United terminal from there (since I see you're from Highlands Ranch, I'll use DIA as an example - If I were flying on United out of Concourse B and DD were flying Southwest out of Concourse C, we could both clear security at the same place and just go to our designated concourses/gates post-security - I know a lot of airports aren't like that - but thought I'd ask if you knew - since if I could I could have my DH check my bag at Terminal 5 when he checks in later). If you know, great - if not, no biggie :) Thanks again for the advice.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Does not work like that. First, I am not sure you can print a boarding pass for yourself prior to arrival at FCO. You can check in but you have to get your pass at the airport. IF you could get into Terminal 3 with your daughter you have no access to your checkin, immigrations (you do have to say good by to Italy). etc. Terminal 5 is strictly for processing passengers going directly back to the US.
You will leave your daughter at the security check point for Terminal 3 (it is the main terminal for FCO). The bus from the pickup point for Terminal 5 will take you to a separate building on the back side (my perception) of the airport. You go to the United check in counter, immigrations, and finally through a security check point. All in the same building. Pass that check point is a small enclosed, bus, waiting area. Another bus will come and take you to the back side. special entrance to Terminal 3. You departure gate will be in Terminal 3 but you are now behind security so you can go directly to your gate. Terminal 3 is big - duty free shopping, restaurants, etc.
Posted by
OP
Denver
62 posts
Thanks Frank - that's what I figured - particularly since DD is staying in the EU/Schengen Zone and I'm leaving it, but thought I'd ask. Paranoid mom wants to stay with DD as long as she can!!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
She is a big girl. She will be fine. You know that the Easyjet boarding pass must be printed prior to arriving at the airport. You can check in for EasyJet about 30 days out. So you might print it before you leave home. There is no check in for EasyJet at the airport. Only a luggage drop.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8969 posts
My one experience in 2012, was that Terminal 5 (the building) was open early (around 0500 was when we got there) but no staff showed up until 0700. Experienced travelers were all lined up in the proper places by then.