From Fiumicino to central Rome: bus from 4 € and train in 32 minutes

Getting from Fiumicino Airport to central Rome is not far, only about thirty kilometers. But the price and time depend heavily on the method you choose. A bus costs several times less than a taxi, while a taxi saves you an extra half hour on the road.

The fastest way to reach Termini station is by the Leonardo Express train: 32 minutes and €14 (as of 09/2026, Trenitalia). The cheapest option is a shuttle bus, but in the morning and evening you'll get stuck in traffic. Below are five options with exact prices, schedules, and an answer to the question of what to choose.

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Comparing options: price and travel time

💡 In short:

• Leonardo Express: 32 minutes and €14 to Termini station (as of 09/2026, Leonardo Express fare).
• FL1 regional train: noticeably cheaper than the express, the trip takes longer, but there's a metro connection (as of 09/2026, Trenitalia regional trains).
• Shuttle bus: from €4 with Terravision and €7 with SIT, 50-60 minutes depending on traffic (as of 09/2026, SIT Bus Shuttle).
• Taxi: fixed fare of €55 to the center (as of 09/2026, ADR).
• Prices and operating hours: as of 09/2026, verified on the official Trenitalia website.

The prices in the table are compiled from the official websites of the carriers and the airport (as of 09/2026, train from the airport, official airport website). The choice depends on your arrival time and luggage. For early morning or late night arrivals, Cotral and private transfers remain options. Let's look at each method individually below.

Leonardo Express to Termini

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

The Leonardo Express runs nonstop from the airport to Termini station in 32 minutes (as of 09/2026, Leonardo Express schedule). Trains depart every 15 minutes from early morning until 23:23. A ticket costs €14, and you can buy it at airport ticket machines and counters or online in advance. No validation is needed, the ticket is already tied to a specific time. Check the departure board for the platform, most often it's tracks 23 and 24, and you'll have only five minutes before boarding.

• Who it's for: a hotel near Termini or close to metro line B.
• Cost: 14 € (as of 09/2026, carrier's website).
• The catch: this is the most expensive ground transport option, for 32 minutes you pay almost three times the bus fare.

The cars have luggage racks, power outlets by the seats, and screens with a route map. The train does not run at night, the last departure is at 23:23.

FL1 regional train and metro

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

The FL1 regional train goes into the city with intermediate stops and does not call at Termini. On schedules it is called "Fara Sabina". The ticket is noticeably cheaper than the express, check the exact fare for your date with the carrier (as of 09/2026, Trenitalia regional fares). Trains run every 15 minutes from 5:00 to 23:00, and the trip takes 45 to 60 minutes. You can get off at Trastevere, Ostiense, or Tiburtina and transfer to the metro, tram, or bus.

• Who it's for: a hotel in Trastevere, Ostiense, or near Tiburtina station.
• The catch: you will have to carry your luggage up and down transfer stairs, not every station has elevators.

Terravision, SIT, and Cotral shuttle buses

© 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 cheapest way to the city center is by bus. Terravision takes you to Termini and the Vatican from 4 € when booked online (as of 09/2026, Terravision). Buses depart every 30 minutes, the first at 5:30, the last at 23:00, and the trip takes about an hour. SIT gets you to Termini and Piazza Cavour near the Vatican for 7 € (as of 09/2026, SIT shuttle fares). Buses run every hour from 7:50 to 23:45. Cotral is the only one that operates around the clock, to Termini with stops at Cornelia and Tiburtina metro stations, and you can check the fare for your trip at the ticket office or in the carrier's app (as of 09/2026, Cotral). The interval is about 20 minutes, and the trip takes 50 minutes without traffic.

All buses have air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and the luggage compartment has enough room for suitcases. The catch is different: travel time depends on traffic, and during rush hour the trip easily stretches to an hour and a half. Another catch: the line for boarding tickets, but with online booking you board on schedule. Take morning departures if you have an early hotel check-in.

• Who it's for: travelers without much luggage whose hotel is near Termini.
• The catch: traffic jams and lines during rush hour.

Taxi and private transfer

A taxi from Fiumicino to central Rome operates on a fixed fare, the meter is not used. The amount is 55 € and includes all surcharges (as of 09/2026, ADR fixed fare), and it does not depend on traffic, time of day, or the number of passengers. The fare applies to addresses inside the Aurelian Walls. Take a white car with a meter and the city crest on the doors, unofficial drivers can charge twice as much. The trip takes 30-40 minutes outside rush hour.

A private transfer is more convenient for a family or a late arrival. The driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a sign, and the price is locked in at booking.

Car rental at the airport

© Luigi Guerrieri4 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Luigi Guerrieri4, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Rental counters operate in the terminals 24/7. SIXT, Hertz, Avis, and Europcar hand over cars right after you land, and all you need is your driver's license and passport to sign the contract. It's convenient to compare rental prices in advance: find a car on DiscoverCars. Many rates include full insurance and unlimited mileage.

You can't drive into Rome's historic center: ZTL zones with cameras are in effect there, and the fine arrives by mail after you've already returned the car. Renting makes sense for trips outside the city: Ostia Antica, Tivoli, the towns of Castelli Romani. The catch: parking in the center is expensive, and finding a free spot in the evening is difficult.

What to see in Rome

By the time you get to your hotel and drop off your bags, half the day will be gone. Spend the remaining time on the main sights of the historic center. Below are seven spots you can realistically cover on foot in a day if you start from Termini station.

Colosseum

© Jon Gudorf Photography · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jon Gudorf Photography, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Colosseum was built almost two thousand years ago, and gladiators fought here. The ticket includes the Colosseum itself, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, and is valid for 24 hours from first entry. Official tickets are sold on the Colosseum website (as of 09/2026, ticketing.colosseo.it). It's better to book a morning slot, so you can walk around the arena without the crowds.

Colosseum tickets with a time slot

• How to get there: metro line B to Colosseo station, the exit is right by the amphitheater.
• The catch: lines at the entrance and bag check.

Roman Forum

© This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a · CC BY-SAPhoto: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Next to the Colosseum lie the ruins of the Roman Forum: columns, arches, and temple foundations. It's best to explore the Forum from top to bottom, starting at Palatine Hill, so there's less uphill walking. The catch: in summer it gets very hot out in the open sun, so bring water.

Castel Sant'Angelo

© Livioandronico2013 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Castel Sant'Angelo on the banks of the Tiber was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. Later the fortress became a refuge for popes and a prison. It offers the best view of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. Walking along the fortress wall takes about an hour. The catch: steep climbs and little shade.

Pantheon

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

The Pantheon has survived better than other buildings of ancient Rome. There's an opening in the center of its huge dome. Entry is by ticket, sold at the doors and on the official website, and the price is low. The catch: on weekends it's full of tour groups inside.

Trevi Fountain

© NikonZ7II · CC BY-SAPhoto: NikonZ7II, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Trevi Fountain is built into the facade of Palazzo Poli. It's one of the most visited spots in the city, and it gets very crowded during the day. Come before 8:00 or after 22:00, and you'll be able to take photos in peace. The catch: by tradition everyone throws coins, so the bottom of the basin fills up quickly.

Capitoline Hill

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

The history of Rome began on Capitoline Hill. Two staircases lead to the top, one gentle and one steep, more than a hundred steps in total. The square was designed by Michelangelo, and an equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius stands in the center. From here you get a view of the Roman Forum. The catch: climbing the steep staircase is tiring in the heat.

Spanish Steps

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

The Spanish Steps connect Piazza di Spagna and the church of Trinità dei Monti. The climb takes a few minutes. At the top you'll find a viewing terrace with a panorama of the city. At the foot of the steps, the Barcaccia fountain flows, and the shopping street Via Condotti starts nearby. The catch: it's always crowded here during the day.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from Fiumicino to Rome?

From the terminal to Termini station, the Leonardo Express train takes 32 minutes (as of 09/2026, Trenitalia data). A bus in traffic takes 50 to 90 minutes, and a taxi gets there in 30-40 minutes outside rush hour. At night, the Cotral bus is the fastest option.

What's the cheapest option?

The shuttle bus: Terravision tickets start at €4 when booked online (as of 09/2026, Terravision fares). The Leonardo Express train costs €14, so it's the least budget-friendly option.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

For the Leonardo Express, buying in advance isn't necessary, but in high season you'll avoid queues at the ticket machines. Bus tickets are cheaper online and guarantee a seat on your scheduled departure. Book the Colosseum a few days ahead: morning slots sell out quickly.

How do I spot an official taxi?

Only take a white car with a meter and the city crest on the doors; taxi stands are located at the terminal exits. The fare to the center is fixed and doesn't depend on traffic, so the meter won't be running during the trip. Beware of drivers who approach customers in the arrivals hall.

Can I get there at night?

Yes. Cotral runs night services to Termini with stops at Cornelia and Tiburtina metro stations. The Leonardo Express doesn't run after 23:23, and Terravision and SIT buses stop operating late in the evening.

Video and route map from the airport

The video below shows the route from the airport to the city center: you'll see boarding the shuttle and the journey to Termini station.

The map covers the entire route from the terminals to the center, including the A91 expressway and the approach to Termini station.

In short: what's worth booking

• If you arrive during the day and your hotel is near Termini: take the Leonardo Express.
• If you want to spend as little as possible: the Terravision bus.
• If you're traveling with a large group: a private transfer.
• If you're planning trips outside the city: a rental car.

Hotels in central Rome are best booked in advance; a couple of weeks before your trip, prices are lower and there's more choice. Compare hotel prices in Rome on Trip.com.