Time needed at Rome airport to clear immigration, customs, etc.

Hi Angie, this year (2025) is even busier since it’s a Jubilee year. Expect the airport to be worse than ever. I like to purchase my train tickets ahead of time for the savings, but I don’t buy the one for the date of arrival. Either I have been stressed about missing the train, or I put a good amount of buffer time in the departure and find that I am sitting at a train station waiting…waiting. Last May, the train from the airport to Roma Centrale was so crowded that we were all sardines, and others still wanted to get on it. You could be delayed just waiting for this leg of your route. The other trains I rode throughout the trip were fine. Do load the Trenitalia app onto your phone to purchase any that you might need. It avoids any waiting at the ticket machines, especially the one at the Rome airport. (The taxi line at the airport was also the longest I had seen.)

Buy the Roma Centrale -to-your destination ticket when you’ve arrived at Roma Centrale. …and have a wonderful trip!

Wise words from Jean, Angie.
In addition to a potentially mobbed airport (number of planes coming in at one time is impossible to predict) or other potential snags she listed, here's also too big a risk of a delayed flight causing you to miss a pre-purchased train. As she has recommended, just buy your tickets when you arrive.

But a question? Are you wanting to get to Roma Termini from Fiumicino (via Leonardo Express train) and to simply change trains onward to another destination, or will you be staying in Rome? If the latter, you might want to consider taking a taxi into the city as, depending on where your accommodation is, it'll drop you off nearer the hotel's door. With a mobility issue to deal with, it would be worth the 55 euro, IMHO.

My husband, adult son and I arrived at Rome Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport on December 25, 2024--just three weeks ago. From the moment we deplaned and walked into the airport until we arrived at "Arrivals" for our hotel taxi, it was 30 minutes. We had three checked bags to retrieve and went through the airport's "eyeball scan" (The only way I can think of to describe it). It was truly amazing and beyond efficient. We left from JFK which was horribly packed to Rome Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport which was also extremely busy. Perhaps we just had a one-off experience, or Rome Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport is onto something.

I followed this advice from this Forum:
“Rome FCO Terminal 3 - NEW PROCESS - if you are from a country that does not need a visa (US/Canada/UK), look carefully for signs to divert you to the automated passport scan system. You will not be allowed through the visa-required line.” Note that this is in Terminal 3--not sure about other terminals.
I hope you have a similar experience.

My arrival experience on 10/31/23 was similar to that of Lindy's. The month in which you arrive could be a factor in terms of traffic through FCO.

You don't give any details regarding your husband's mobility issues, which should also be factored into the time needed to change trains at Roma Termini - keep in mind that the Leonardo Express uses tracks at the far side of the terminal, and it's a fairly long walk to reach the other platforms. You might want to investigate what kind of assistance may be available at Termini. You can also find videos on YouTube that show the train transfer from FCO.

One advantage to buying tickets in advance is that you would have a better choice of seats - where you sit could be a factor in terms of your husband's mobility issues. The Base ticket is fully changeable, and it's easy to do in the app; the Economy ticket [as opposed to Super Economy] is also changeable by paying the difference in fare - also changeable in the app. But of course you would lose the seats by changing.

If you want to take a break after a long flight, you will arrive at Termini near where Mercato Centrale is located, which give you a number of excellent food choices to eat there, or to assemble a picnic for the train.

Given the mobility issues, three hours might be prudent, as it sounds like you don't have the option of making a quick dash to catch your departing train.

Thanks to everyone that replied with great info. Question for markcw: you mentioned that upon arrival at Termini, there is quite a distance to walk to connecting trains. Would we be better off to take a taxi to Termini and have the driver drop us off at the entrance to the platform that we need for Florence. Looking at the connections on the train's timetable, there is only a 15 minute layover. My husband does walk but cannot walk quickly. Are there porters with wheelchairs available either at the airport terminal or at Termini? Thanks so much!

Would we be better off to take a taxi to Termini and have the driver drop us off at the entrance to the platform that we need for Florence.

The taxi would have to drop you off outside the station - there is a large outer lobby before you get to the platforms, and there is a security gate you must pass through to get to the platforms. In addition, often platforms are not announced until shortly before departure. Traffic getting into the city is another variable.

Given your situation, trying to make a 15 minute connection seems unrealistic. Trains to Florence depart at least hourly, if not more frequently, so between Trenitalia and Italo you should be able to book travel once you arrive at the station.

I have no experience requesting assistance, and without a fixed arrival time it may be difficult to schedule. Perhaps someone with experience will comment.

Here is a link to the Trenitalia Accessibility page - maybe start there. It may be preferable to talk with someone on the phone, or via chat:

https://www.rfi.it/it/stazioni/pagine-stazioni/accessibilita.html

I am a planner by nature and in my 33 year career as a city planner. I always purchase train tickets in advance, EXCEPT on flight arrival days.

My husband and I have flown into and out of FCO before, we have been in Roma Termini several times, and we fly with carry-on only. We are pretty familiar with the drill. We are both in good physical condition (56 and 68).

We are flying into Rome next week, taking the Leonardo Express to Termini and we will purchase the Express tickets via the app after clearing immigration. While in route to Termini we will purchase our train tickets to Florence via the Italo or Trentalia apps based on which system provides us the best options in terms of departure time and ability to book seats. If you look, you will see there are hourly trains from Termini to Florence SMN via both train systems.

We are comfortable navigating Termini, but it is rather large and crowded. For us, even being familiar with it, I would NOT book a train ticket to Florence that was departing less than 20 minutes (30 would be better) from our expected arrival time via the Leonardo Express. I do agree with the other poster regarding luggage and having to possibly traverse from the far platforms for the Express, to the last platform on the other side. Unless Italo or Trenitalia have some type of assistance you will have to schlepp your own luggage onto the train and stow it. You will definitely need to confirm with Italo or Trenitalia regarding assistance with luggage as I have no familiarity with this.

The issue of luggage is the same with the Express. You will have to get it from the platform onto the train. While the Express seats are not as comfortable, they do have more luggage storage in the cars. You may also need to confirm the Delta porter will take you to the train station at FCO - it is well outside Terminal 3.