Walk Me Through Departing & Arrival

There is not a lot of difference from domestic travel. You should check in on line. At the airport you will be asked to show your passports to the airline check-in staff. In Rome just follow the flow. You will go through immigrations (passport check and stamp, maybe). This can be a zoo. Last year in Rome took us almost two hours to get through immigrations. From there it is a walk through for customs - nothing to declare door. And you are in Rome. If checking luggage it will be checked through to Rome from your airport. In Chicago, you should stay behind security unless forced to change concourses.

The reverse is about the same. You do through immigrations on the way out of the country. You will go through immigrations and customs at your first stop in the US. I find it harder to get back into the US than to leave. It may be too late but I would consider applying for Global Entry as it makes over all life much easier.

My first question is, what airlines airline are you flying into and out of Chicago. Not just who you bought the tickets from, but who actually operates the flights. There is a world of difference if you are flying on Alitalia (code share with Delta) out of the International Terminal, or United or American from the Domestic Terminal.

I always look up the airport website ahead of time. Most have plenty of information to help the passenger on arrival. Leonardo da Vinci airport is something of a sprawl so it's useful to sort out in advance the route to onward transportation; for instance, the path from the arrivals area to the train station into Rome. You're going to be tired from the flight so it can help if you have map print-outs in hand.
http://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en-/pax-fco-fiumicino
If indeed you do opt for the short train ride to Rome's Termini Station, be aware that there are competing ticket booths in the train station. The private operations may try to persuade you to take a shuttle van into the city. The prices are comparable but the train doesn't struggle with Rome traffic.

How many of you are there? If there are more than 4 you might want to get a private shuttle transfer from the Rome airport to your hotel.

momabaarjo3,

As stated,if you have flown in the USA its not that much dif.

as far as when you get there, you will feel just like a cow at home. most of the places ive been through overseas wont let you divert from where you need to go. sort of like a long cattle chute. So, once you get off the plane, there not alot of places to go other then thru the immigration and such. when it comes to it, when in Rome just follow the Romans.

also, all of the places will have signs/icons for what you need. Like your luggage, bus/train/food/$$$/toilets/prayer area/ect...

Happy trails.

Just one heads- to up. If, as I assume, your return is from FCO to a U.S. airport, you will need to go to Terminal 5 for security reasons. My recollection is that taxis cannot drive right up to T5. You get an airport shuttle bus from the other terminals, go through check-in, and then return to the main airport. The signs are pretty clear, and the airport personnel are used to directing U.S.-bound passengers to where they need to go. Just allow plenty of time.

Absolutely be at the gate early for an international flight. So, when you get to ORD, no fooling around, go direct to the gate. If three people or more, a taxi from the airport in Rome will be less expensive than the Leonardo Express train into Rome. (And you'll undoubtably be tired). I bring a "ring" of note-pads and write the name/address of the hotel(s) on the pages multiple times before I leave to just tear off to hand to the taxi driver, who may or may not speak English!!

I use a "neck pouch" which you can get at any luggage store, and even at Kohl's these days, and put my passport, cash and credit cards in it. This way I don't lose anything opening and closing my purse. I wear it under my blouse when touring, and would encourage your family to do this also. My purse contains enough cash to get me through the day. If I need a credit card, I get it out of the pouch in a private place like a rest room.

DO get to FCO airport a full 2 hours before your return flight is due to depart, because DIRECT flights to the U.S. leave from TERMINAL 5. Pre-screening security, then you are bused to Terminal 3 where you join everyone else.

Your family is going to have a fantastic trip, just use the travel tips everyone's given you. I learned mine the hard way! Checked into a hotel in Barcelona, left everything in the room,, and when I went to return, couldn't remember the name of the hotel or the address! Thank God I'd picked up a book of matches at the desk on my way out! First trip Mistake!!

Your flight itinerary should show which terminal you arrive at and which terminal you depart from on your connections. It is quite possible that you will land at a domestic terminal at O'Hare (ORD) and then have to make your way to the international terminal. Your luggage should be checked through, but you'll have to go through security and a passport check before going to your gate. I've never had a long wait at ORD for security. There are shops and restaurants in the departure area.

When you return, you'll have to collect your luggage at ORD and go through passport control and customs, then probably go to another terminal for your flight to Dallas. You may be able to recheck your luggage at the international terminal, but you may need to take it with you to your departure terminal. It usually depends on your airline's procedures.

Good advice but if you "follow the Romans" at passport control you'll be in the wrong line!

The matchbook, or more likely business card. idea is good - every person in your group should carry the hotel's business card. When you check out, throw the cards away. Sometimes I stay in 25-30 different hotels (long trips) and it helps to know where the heck I need to end up at the end of the day.

As I normally fly through O'Hare going to Europe, here's what you can expect

If on American you will be in Terminal 3 for your outbound flight and will remain in the same terminal to board your flight to Rome.
If your flights are on United, you will be in Terminal 1 or 2 and will board your flight to Rome in one of these terminals.
In these cases you would not have to reclear security.
If your airline is a European one e.g. Alitalia you would have to proceed out of the secured area and take the Airport Transit system to Terminal 5 and then check in with your European airline and clear security.

In all cases coming back you will arrive at Terminal 5 and if you are on American you would need to get back to Terminal 3 and for United to Terminal 1.

I would also suggest that if you have enough time that you consider enrollment in the Global Entry program--it's $100 per person for five years and also includes trusted traveller status for the TSA precheck program as well. I go to Europe once a year and fly domestically a couple times a year and find it to be a godsend in terms of the whole customs/security process. Details on this are at http://www.globalentry.gov and I would suggest starting the process straight away as you have to deal with an online part and also schedule an inperson interview which takes about 15 or 20 minutes.

Website for O'Hare is http://www.flychicago.com/ohare/en/home/Pages/default.aspx