Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is one of the most visited cities, reaching over 35 million visitors in 2023. The Eternal City is a historic city with a lot to offer tourists. Although it is said that all roads lead to Rome, the easiest way to get to the Italian capital is by plane or train. And if it’s your first time in Rome, you’ll find it’s a very walkable city & there’s a lot of places you can stay in. You won’t need much other than Google Maps and a pair of comfortable shoes once you’re there.
Quick Overview
Here’s an abridged version of the article, each of which will be discussed in more detail in the following sections.
| Transportation Mode | Description | Key Information |
| By Plane | Arriving at Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Ciampino Airport (CIA) | – FCO is the busiest airport. – Leonardo Express train from FCO to Termini station (€14, 32 mins). – Taxi (€50, 40-50 mins). – Shuttle buses available (€7, 40 mins – 1.5 hrs). |
| By Cruise Ship | Arriving at Civitavecchia port and options for reaching Rome. | – Cruise excursion for sightseeing. – Car rental (€400 for 2 people). – Train to Termini (about 1 hr). |
| By Train | High-speed trains connect major cities like Florence and Milan to Rome. | – Frecciarossa and Italo for fast travel. – Frecciargento or Frecciabianca for other towns. – Vatican City reachable in 11 mins by train. |
| By Bus | Direct bus services available, often stopping at Tiburtina station. | Tickets should be validated when boarding. |
| By Car | Driving to Rome with considerations for traffic and parking. | Traffic restrictions in city center on weekdays. Parking advice from accommodation providers. |
Ways to get to Rome Italy
If you are traveling to Rome for the first time, you are probably flying into the city. Most international flights land at Fiumicino Airport, about 28km (17 miles) west of the city.
Many airlines offer direct flights to Rome, and the flight time is relatively short. Train travel can also be a great option, especially if you’re already in Europe. Several high-speed trains operate between major cities, and the journey times are reasonable. Regardless of the mode of transportation you select, make sure visiting Rome becomes a memorable time to cherish.
By plane
Rome has two airports: Fiumicino airport (Leonardo da Vinci) and Ciampino. The main international airport is FCO. The airport of Ciampino was formerly a military base and has become a transportation center for many low-cost airlines flying to Rome. The most frequent flights, especially from abroad, land at FCO.
The airports are approximately 30-40 minutes from the city center and around an hour’s drive from Civitavecchia if you’re going on a cruise.
Fiumicino Airport
Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is the country’s busiest airport and a significant international transportation hub. It is named Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci, after Leonardo da Vinci.
If you’re flying into Rome, the best advice I can offer is to be prepared and know how you’ll get from the airport to the city’s center to your ultimate destination. If possible, arrive in Rome with some Euros cash on hand.
You have a few options to reach the city center from Fiumicino. The cheapest and fastest shuttle train, Leonardo Express, takes you to the Termini station in 32 minutes non-stop and costs €14.00 per person. The best part is that you can take the Leonardo Express, and the price is the same year-round.
From Fiumicino, you can reach downtown Rome by taxi. This will cost you about €50.00 at the time of recording and will take 40-50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Lastly, several private shuttle buses take you to Rome city center from Fiumicino for about €7.00, and the time can vary from 40 minutes to one and a half hours depending on traffic and the number of stops.
Rome Ciampino Airport
The second busiest airport in Rome is the Rome-Ciampino Airport (CIA), located 7.5 miles from the city center, handling about 6 million passengers annually.
If you arrive at Rome’s smaller airport, Ciampino, there are several options for getting into the city, from a bus shuttle to public transportation to private limousine services.
The airport is connected to downtown Rome via a combination of a shuttle bus that takes you to the train station and a train called Airlink that takes you to Termini station. This option is cheap at €2.70 but takes about 60 minutes. Another option is a shuttle bus that runs approximately every hour and costs €6.00. The bus takes you to Termini station, about 35 minutes. Lastly, you can take a taxi to the city center for between €30 and €40.
Traveling from the U.S.
Visitors from the United States can fly directly to Rome from most major cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. To give you a hint about the travel duration, flights from New York City to Rome take approximately 9 hours direct. Travelers depart New York from Newark Liberty Airport and arrive at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport.
The following airlines fly directly to the Eternal City nonstop at least several times a day, and cheap flights can be availed with proper research online :
- ITA
- Delta
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
One thing to note is that in the past, the first bag was usually free on airlines. Unfortunately, today, cheap flights don’t have any provisions for the first big, let alone a second or third.
Traveling from Canada
It’s more challenging to book direct flights from Canada to Rome than in the United States. Despite this, there are several airlines and cities where these flights may operate, as shown below:
- Air Canada – direct flights Toronto – Rome
- ITA – direct flights from Toronto to Rome
- Air Transat – direct flights from Toronto and Montreal
- Air Canada Rouge – Montreal to Rome
Traveling from Australia
Flights to Rome from Australia’s significant cities typically include one or more layovers: Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, and Perth.
Traveling from Europe
Every major European airline has several flights a day to Rome, also it is now possible to visit Rome for less than €50 if you live in Europe. The following low-cost airlines serve Rome:
- Vueling
- Ryanair
- Wizzair
- Easyjet
- Neos Air
- Volotea
Cruise Ship
If you’re arriving by cruise ship from the Civitavecchia port, you have three choices:
Take a cruise excursion: This is the most efficient approach to seeing Rome in a day, and it’s also the simplest way to make sure you see everything there is to see in one day while still being on time to board.
Reserve a car: The cost of return transport from the port to Rome’s center is about €400 for 2 people.
Take a train: This is the most cost-effective but least recommendable choice if mobility is a problem. You’ll start at the Civitavecchia station, and it will take about one hour to get to the Termini station.
Train
The train is a fantastic alternative to get to Rome, and of course, to see Italy and other cities. For example, let’s say you’re staying in Florence. The high-speed trains, known as Frecciarossa 1000 and Italo, connect Rome and Florence in just over an hour, with a speed of up to 400 km/h or 249 mph, while Milan is just three hours away. There are also other classes of trains called Frecciargento or Frecciabianca that link Rome with many other towns in the country but travel slower.
If you’re visiting Europe and want to get to Rome by train, the quickest approach is to go via Milan.
Vatican City is a nearby tourist attraction and must be explored by train. The journey from Rome to Vatican City takes around 11 minutes by train. The Rome Metro is another quick method to get to the Vatican. The Ottaviano-S station on the Metro line A is near the Vatican walls. You’ll be able to reach the Vatican in just five minutes after getting off at this station.
The Vatican Museums are among the world’s largest museums, housing an incredible variety of ancient Roman and Egyptian artifacts, religious objects, beautifully painted rooms, and even contemporary artwork. It’s always best to visit this place if you visit Rome, Italy.
Rome Termini Railway Station
Termini Station is Rome’s central train station. Every day, about 480,000 passengers travel through its platforms, making it Italy’s busiest train station.
Bus
Bus travel in Italy is also effortless, and sometimes it’s more direct to travel to Rome by public transport than by train. The average bus ticket price from Milan to Rome is €53 and it takes an average of 8 h 23 min travel duration.
There is a direct service between Siena and Rome, but if you travel by train, you’ll have to change trains at least once. One key piece of advice is to ensure that when you buy your tickets, they are validated as soon as you get on the bus.
If you’re traveling by bus to visit Rome, you’ll most often stop at Tiburtina station. There is no bus station at Termini (except for local city buses.) You may take a city bus, subway, or taxi to your final destination once you arrive at the Rome bus terminal.
Car
If you’re driving to Rome, which I don’t recommend, be aware that the city center is closed to traffic during the day on Mondays through Fridays and Saturday afternoons.
Furthermore, driving in Rome may be chaotic, stressful, and perplexing. So, if you can avoid bringing a vehicle into Rome, it is best to do so. Still, if you wish to drive, we recommend a stopover in Monaco, Genoa, Pisa, and Florence if you’d like to tour Europe in a vehicle and intend to get to Rome this way. Otherwise, the journey might be tedious.
If you need to park your automobile, contact your accommodation provider or apartment rental contact to find the best parking place. Street parking isn’t recommended because it’s typically pay-by-the-hour and sometimes dangerous.
Essential Tips When Traveling To Rome’s City Center
When you visit Rome, the big question is whether you will charter a taxi, private taxi, limousine, or public transportation to reach the city center.
The most significant difference between these alternatives is that with public transit, you will get to a train station (often Termini station), and then you need to transfer to your hotel. Using a private car will take you to your final destination.
Private car service
With a private car service, you get to travel door-to-door. Although it is more expensive, it is more comfortable and convenient, especially after a long flight! It’s recommended that you reserve a private car in advance so that it can take you around Rome. And, be aware of the extra cost before you begin, so you won’t have to worry about spending too much money if you can’t locate a taxi (this happens occasionally, for example, when there’s a transit strike in Rome.)
The nice thing about private car services is that they run by the hour or at a flat rate. So, whether you’re staying by a famous fountain (i.e., Trevi fountain), Palatine Hill, or the Sistine Chapel by St. Peter’s Basilica, the price won’t change all that much.
Public transport
The municipal bus company runs hourly, and it’s the most economical. Also, since it doesn’t require a reservation, you won’t face any issues even if your travel dates change. So that’s probably the best benefit of public transport.
Is Rome Expensive To Visit?
There’s a lot of you can see and do in Rome. It dazzles visitors with its history, culture, and cuisine. Budget about $1,500 per person, excluding airfare, for an 8-day Roman holiday. This estimated cost is based on historical travel expense data. The Eternal City offers excellent value and memories to last a lifetime.
What Is The Must-See Attraction In Rome?
We often receive the question, “What is the number 1 must-see in Rome?” Our answer? The iconic Colosseum, once hosting gladiator battles and wild animal fights for Roman spectators, tops the list of Rome’s must-see sights. This enormous amphitheater, deemed one of the modern world’s Seven Wonders, offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s ancient past. You may also look for tours of the Colosseum.
Final Words
Rome is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and with good reason. The city is home to countless historical landmarks, museums, and other attractions. While there are many