Top Tips When Arriving in Rome

Heading to the Eternal City? If you book your fights into the right airport, the process of beginning your holiday can be made so much easier. Here are some top tips relating to Fiumicino airport transfers.

When you are making arrangements, don’t get confused. Rome has two airports typically used by tourists – Fiumicino (also known as Leonardo Da Vinci) plus Ciampino. The former is the main international airport and is typically used by most scheduled airlines plus the major trans-continental carriers. By contrast, Ciampino is smaller and actually closer to the centre of town, although it is mainly served by budget airlines.

Plan ahead as to your options. There are numerous Fiumicino Airport transfers that will whisk you quickly into the city centre and to your exact destination in some cases. You may have other options including public transport.

There is a fast and very modern train service called the Leonardo Express that will whisk you into town in 30 minutes with departures from the airport every half hour. Of course, because it is fast and modern it is also relatively expensive (around €14/£11.50 one-way at the end of 2013), and like all public transport it may have the disadvantage of not dropping you particularly close to where you need to be.

There is also an older metropolitan train service that picks up from relatively close to the airport and which will take you into town. The price is much more modest but, as you might imagine, so is the performance and service.

Remember that taxis are expensive – that is true anywhere in the world when it involves taking tourists from their airport of arrival into adjacent city centres. Based upon late 2013 figures, a taxi ride is likely to cost you somewhere in the region of around €50 (£41). If you do choose this option, make sure for your own protection that you only use official taxis and avoid agreeing to pay for lifts by private car owners.

There is a local shuttle bus service running from the airport to Rome’s main railway station. Prices are modest but it can be very crowded at times and delays are common. Private Fiumicino airport transfers are a much more reliable method.

You can also use a regular bus service. Once again, crowding and associated delays can be an issue. It might also be worth taking into consideration just how much luggage you’re bringing and whether or not you have young children with you who might need the kind of attention it can be difficult to provide on a crowded bus. As a general rule, public transfer services won’t, of course, be door-to-door, whereas taxis and some airport transfer services might well be.

Better deals can typically be had if you book ahead online for Fiumicino airport transfers, and do be sensible if bringing very outsize or unusual pieces of luggage with you. Let the company know in advance so that your vehicle will be able to accommodate you.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Fiumicino airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.