Fiumicino “Leonardo da Vinci” is Rome’s main international airport, about 30 km southwest of the city center. Getting into Rome is straightforward, but the options vary a lot in price, speed, and convenience. Here’s what actually makes sense depending on where you’re staying.
Leonardo Express: The fastest, most direct option
The Leonardo Express is a non-stop train connecting Fiumicino Airport directly to Roma Termini in 32 minutes. It runs every 15 minutes during the day (every 30 minutes in off-peak hours), from 6:23 AM to 11:23 PM from the airport.
- Price: €14 per adult. Children under 4 travel free; one child aged 4-12 travels free per paying adult.
- Group deal: 4 tickets for €40 (instead of €56).
- Where to board: The train station is inside the airport, between T2 and T3. Follow signs for Treni.
- Buy tickets: At machines in the station, at the ticket counter, or online via Trenitalia. Paper tickets must be validated before boarding.
- Note: Standard Metrebus passes are NOT valid on the Leonardo Express.
Best for: Anyone heading to Termini or connecting onward by Metro (lines A and B both stop there).
One local tip: sit on the left side of the train coming from the airport. On a clear day you’ll catch a glimpse of St. Peter’s dome as you approach the city.
FL1 Regional Train: Cheaper, but with stops
The FL1 is a regional Trenitalia line covering the same route but making multiple stops: Trastevere (27 min), Ostiense (34 min), Tuscolana (41 min), and Tiburtina (48 min). It does NOT stop at Termini.
- Price: €8 one way.
- Frequency: Every 15 minutes on weekdays, every 30 minutes on weekends and public holidays.
- Hours: 5:57 AM to 11:57 PM.
- Note: The FL1 ticket is not valid for onward Metro or bus travel. You’ll need a separate ticket.
Best for: Travelers staying near Trastevere, Ostiense, or Tiburtina. You skip Termini entirely and save €6.
Official Taxi: Door to door, fixed price
Rome’s official taxis charge a fixed fare of €55 for any destination within the Aurelian Walls. The fare covers up to 4 passengers and any amount of luggage, with no surcharges for night hours or public holidays.
- Destinations within the GRA but outside the Walls: metered, capped at €80.
- Hours: 24/7.
Only use white taxis with a “TAXI” roof sign and a Roma Capitale license plate. Fiumicino-registered taxis operate on the meter and can cost significantly more. The taxi rank is outside the arrivals area. Do not accept rides from anyone who approaches you inside the terminal. For more on avoiding common tourist traps in Rome, read our guide to getting around Rome without getting scammed.
Airport Bus: Slowest, cheapest
Several operators (Terravision, SIT, Cotral) run coaches between Fiumicino and Roma Termini. Journey time is 50-70 minutes depending on traffic.
- Price: €5-7 depending on operator.
- Frequency: Every 30-40 minutes.
- Stop: Outside Terminal 2, Arrivals. Follow signs for Regional Bus Station.
Best for: Solo travelers on a tight budget with time to spare. Not ideal with heavy luggage.
Private Transfer: Worth it in specific situations
Pre-booked private transfers start from around €50-55 to central Rome, similar in price to a taxi but with confirmed pricing upfront, an English-speaking driver, and automatic flight-delay tracking.
Best for: Late-night arrivals, families with children, or anyone with a lot of luggage.
Arriving after midnight?
The Leonardo Express stops running at 11:23 PM from the airport. After that, the official taxi rank operates 24/7 at the same fixed €55 rate, the most reliable option for late arrivals. If you’d rather skip the queue, a pre-booked private transfer is worth the similar cost for the peace of mind.
Which option is right for you?
| Leonardo Express | FL1 | Taxi | Bus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €14 | €8 | €55 | €5-7 |
| Time to center | 32 min | 27-48 min | 40-60 min | 50-70 min |
| Stops at Termini | ✓ | ✗ | varies | ✓ |
| Door to door | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Best for | Most travelers | Trastevere/Ostiense area | Groups, late arrivals | Budget solo |
The Leonardo Express is the right call for most visitors. It’s fast, stress-free, and Termini puts the entire Metro network at your feet. The FL1 makes sense if your hotel is near Trastevere or Ostiense. The taxi is worth it for groups of 3-4 splitting the cost, or late-night arrivals. The bus is fine if you’re on a very tight budget and have patience for traffic.
Prices and schedules verified in June 2026. Always check the official Trenitalia website for the latest timetables before you travel.
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