Airport to City
Fiumicino to Rome: Leonardo Express and the Alternatives
Fiumicino is 20 miles southwest of Rome and connected by a dedicated express train, a slower regional service, budget coaches and a regulated flat fare taxi.
Route at a glance
- From
- Rome Fiumicino
- To
- Rome city centre
- Distance
- About 20 miles
- Typical time
- 32 to 70 minutes
Comparing your options
Typical characteristics rather than live prices or timetables. Always check the operator on the day you travel.
| Option | Typical journey | Cost character | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Express | 32 min to Termini | About 14 EUR | Speed and simplicity |
| FL1 regional train | 45 to 60 min | About 8 EUR | Trastevere and Tiburtina |
| Shuttle bus | 55 to 70 min | 6 to 8 EUR | Lowest cost |
| Taxi flat fare | 45 to 70 min | About 55 EUR | Groups and luggage |
The Leonardo Express
This non stop service runs between Fiumicino and Roma Termini roughly every 15 to 30 minutes, taking 32 minutes. It is the most straightforward option and the one most first time visitors should take, particularly since Termini connects to both metro lines and most of the city bus network.
Validate or activate your ticket correctly before boarding. Inspectors do check, and fines are issued without much sympathy.
Cheaper trains and buses
The FL1 regional line does not serve Termini but stops at Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina, all of which are useful if your accommodation is south or east of the centre. It costs roughly half the express fare.
Several coach operators run to Termini for under 10 EUR. They are slower, subject to traffic and less comfortable, but they are a reasonable choice for travelers on a strict budget.
Taxis and the fixed fare
Rome sets an official flat fare between Fiumicino and destinations inside the Aurelian Walls, covering the car and its luggage. Use the official white taxi rank only. Drivers who approach you inside the terminal are not operating under that regulated fare.
Points to remember
- Rome has a second airport, Ciampino, served mostly by low cost carriers and different transport.
- Termini is busy and disorienting on arrival, so know your onward metro line in advance.
- August afternoons are hot and taxi queues can be long, so plan accordingly.
- Trains run from early morning until around 23:00, after which buses and taxis take over.
Keep reading
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