This post provides details about each of the 2 airports in Rome.
We include details on locations, how to get to the city from each airport, and other important information.
Fiumicino Airport
Fiumicino is the main airport of Rome and its airport code is FCO.
If you’re flying using any of the major carriers, chances are you’ll fly into this location, also known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport.
This is a large international airport, and there are three main terminals servicing a number of different airlines.
If you’re catching a flight here, make sure to arrive at least 2 hours in advance. International travelers should expect the process to take 3 hours.
The drive from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city centre is about 40 minutes, but the train usually only takes about 30 minutes.
Train tickets cost as little as €8 per person, but shuttle buses are even more affordable at around €6 for tickets.
Uber/Taxis and shared shuttles typically cost about €40 - €50.
Terminal 1
This terminal typically services the following notable airlines:
- KLM
- Delta
- Alitalia
- Air France
Terminal 2
This terminal typically services smaller independent/budget airlines such as the following:
- WizzAir
- RyanAir
- German Wings
Terminal 3
This is the terminal handling all international arrivals, passport control, customs and other services.
They tend to handle all the large international carriers including the following:
- Thai
- El Al
- Iberia
- United
- Lufthansa
If you’re looking for information about transfers from this location, make sure to read our full post covering how to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome City Centre.
Make sure to check Kayak for affordable airfare and Hotels.com to find a place to stay in Rome.
Ciampino Airport
Pronounced “champeeno,” this is the smaller of the two airports in Rome, and they don’t service as many major international carriers as Fiumicino.
Their airport code is CIA.
Ciampino Airport only has one terminal for commercial flights, and they typically don’t have many flights coming from or going overseas.
That said, if you can manage to snag a flight which lands at Ciampino Airport, it’s worth noting that they usually serve more budget airlines like EasyJet and Wizz Air, which would be better for budget conscious travelers.
Since there is only one terminal, all you need to do is check in and find your gate.
Although it might not take as much time, this Rome airport won’t be an option for most international travelers.
If you’re catching a flight here, make sure to arrive 90-120 minutes ahead of time.
The drive to Rome from Ciampino Airport is a bit shorter at around 30 minutes, and it’s generally considered more scenic as well.
Train tickets start at just €1.50, shuttle buses are around €6, and shared shuttles are €20 - €40 per person.
Make sure to check our post on how to get from Ciampino Airport to Rome City Centre for more information about transfers.
If you’re looking for a good deal on airfare, consider using Kayak. You can also use Hotels.com if you need a place to stay.
Which Airport is Best?
Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on where your flight is coming from.
If you’re traveling here internationally, chances are the choice will be made for you, because an overwhelming majority of international flights go to Fiumicino Airport.
If you’re traveling within Italy or Europe in general, you might want to consider Ciampino Airport instead.
The fact that their airport is smaller also makes it easier and quicker to use, giving you more time to spend in Rome.
Over the years, Ciampino Airport has improved quite a bit, but it’s still a much smaller location servicing fewer flights.
Another issue is that there aren’t as many transfer options from here to the Rome city centre, but prices are still reasonable with rates running from €5 - €30 on average.
Check our post on how to get from Ciampino Airport to Rome City Centre for more details.
If you’re planning to take a flight into FCO, use our post on how to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome City Centre instead.
