How to get from Fiumicino to Rome city center: express, bus or taxi

You land at Fiumicino and want to get to your hotel as quickly as possible. The airport sits well outside Rome's city limits, so the first choice is simple: train, bus, or car. It determines your costs and travel time.

The direct Leonardo Express runs nonstop to Termini station (as of 09/2026, official Trenitalia website). If you don't want to depend on traffic, this is the most predictable option. A shuttle bus will cost less, while a taxi or private transfer is the most comfortable. Below we break down each option: time, price, and where it drops you off.

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How to get from Fiumicino to central Rome

💡 In short:

• The trip to the center takes from half an hour to an hour.
• The Leonardo Express gets you to the city fastest, while the shuttle bus is the cheapest.
• Taxis and transfers cost more than the train, but they take you door to door.
• Train prices and schedules: 09/2026, checked against the official Trenitalia timetable.

First, compare the options by time, price, and arrival point. That way you'll immediately see what works for your hotel.

The general rule is simple: if your hotel is near Termini, take the train. If it's in Trastevere or on the east side of the city, plan your connections in advance. Large luggage is better transported by car than dragged through the station.

Leonardo Express train to Termini

The Leonardo Express runs from the airport station to Roma Termini with no intermediate stops. You'll spend 32 minutes on board, and the next train departs every 15 minutes (as of 09/2026, Trenitalia). The schedule is aligned with flights, so you'll barely wait on the platform.

© Rob Dammers · CC BYPhoto: Rob Dammers, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

A ticket costs from €14 (as of 09/2026, Trenitalia). You can buy it at ticket machines and counters at the airport station, as well as online in advance. If you're traveling with suitcases, get your ticket before the trip: at peak hours there's a line at the counters.

The cars are spacious, with luggage racks near the entrances. The platform you need is announced on the display boards. The express arrives at the far platforms, so allow time to walk to the Termini square exit. From here it's easy to catch the metro or walk to hotels in the center.

Train tickets for Italy are convenient to buy in advance on Trip.com.

Regional train to Trastevere and Tiburtina

A cheaper option than the express is the FL1 regional train (as of 09/2026, Trenitalia). It connects the airport with the Trastevere and Ostiense areas and Tiburtina station, makes intermediate stops, and takes noticeably longer. In return, the ticket costs significantly less, and the route is convenient if your hotel is not near Termini.

Check that your station is within the city zone: outside it, the fare is higher. Buy your ticket from a machine at the station before boarding. The catch with this option is transfers: to reach hotels in the center, you will most likely need to continue by metro or bus.

Take the regional train if you want to save money and are not in a hurry. For a trip with one suitcase, it is a reasonable compromise between price and time.

Shuttle bus: the most budget-friendly option

Shuttle buses from private operators leave the terminals regularly, roughly every half hour. They take you to Termini station or Tiburtina, and travel time depends on traffic. During rush hour, the drive on the ring road stretches to an hour or more.

© Carlo Dani · CC BY-SAPhoto: Carlo Dani, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A shuttle ticket costs noticeably less than the express. This is the best choice for you if budget matters more than speed and you are willing to wait on the way. You can buy a ticket at the operator's counter outside the terminal or online.

The catch with the bus is one thing: travel time depends on traffic. If you have a tight connection or a late arrival, the train is more reliable. During the day buses run frequently, but at night there are noticeably fewer departures.

Taxi and private door-to-door transfer

A taxi between the airport and central Rome operates on a fixed fare set by the city. This is convenient: you know the amount in advance and do not watch the meter in traffic. Official cars wait at the stand outside the exit; private drivers charge more.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

A private transfer is booked in advance. The driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to your hotel, with luggage included in the price. This option costs more than a taxi, but you do not look for a stand or explain the address in Italian.

For a family with children or a large group, a car is often cheaper than tickets for everyone. With heavy luggage, you get to your hotel door without transfers or stairs.

Public transit: metro, tram, bus

Central Rome is compact, and you will cover most of the route on foot. The historic core with its main squares, fountains, and churches lies within a half-hour walk, and a car only gets in the way here.

© Bert Kaufmann from Roermond, Netherlands · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bert Kaufmann from Roermond, Netherlands, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Rome metro consists of just two lines. To reach many places, you will have to walk or transfer to a bus. On the plus side, the metro helps on long distances and in the rain, and ticket machines stand at the entrances.

A single ticket works on the metro, bus, and tram, and covers a trip with transfers within a limited time. Check fares and validity periods on the ATAC website. Tickets are sold at machines, kiosks, and Tabaccheria tobacco shops. You must validate it when boarding, otherwise the ticket is invalid and you will be fined.

If you plan to ride all day, a daily or multi-day pass is a better deal. It pays for itself after just a few trips. Buses in Rome run without a strict schedule, so at a stop you may wait anywhere from a couple of minutes to half an hour.

The city works at night too, and night buses connect the center with stations and outlying areas. Taxis in the center run on the meter, but in street traffic a ride almost always loses to walking. Save the car for the evening and walk through the center.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Fiumicino to central Rome?

The Leonardo Express costs from €14, a ticket for a 32-minute ride to Termini (as of 09/2026, carrier's website). The regional train is cheaper, a shuttle bus ticket is the most budget-friendly, and a taxi or transfer costs more than the train.

Which transport should you choose if you have a lot of luggage?

A private transfer takes you straight to your hotel without transfers, and luggage is included in the price. A taxi also works, with cars waiting outside the terminal. On the train and bus, you will have to carry your suitcases from the station to the hotel yourself.

Does transport run from Fiumicino to the city at night?

Yes, night buses connect the airport with the center and stations, but less frequently than during the day. The express and shuttles may not run at night, so if you arrive late, check the carrier's schedule in advance.

Is it faster to get there by taxi than by train?

Not always. The express reaches Termini faster and does not depend on traffic. A taxi is convenient if your hotel is far from the station or you are traveling with luggage. During rush hour, a car can sit in traffic longer than the train takes.

In short: what to book

If you are traveling light and value your time, book a Leonardo Express ticket in advance (train tickets on Trip.com). If you are with family and suitcases, consider a taxi or private transfer.

If you are staying in Rome for several days, choose hotels in the center on Trip.com. From Termini station it is easy to walk, and you can reach farther neighborhoods by metro.