General
Overview
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is Rome’s primary international gateway, with its train station connected to all terminals via covered walkways. The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 serves most European and budget carriers (including Ryanair, EasyJet, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France), while Terminal 3 handles all other airlines — intercontinental, long-haul, and remaining domestic flights.
Transfer Options
Rome’s public transport operator ATAC runs periodic strikes (scioperi), often announced 5–10 days in advance. Check the ATAC service status page before travel for disruption alerts. If buses or Metro are suspended, an official taxi or rideshare (Uber / FREE NOW) is the most reliable fallback.
Luggage Storage
Located in Terminal 3, Arrivals level. Look for the 'Left Luggage' sign near the exit.
Tip: Station and airport storage counters often have long queues, especially at peak hours. Booking via one of these apps is usually faster and cheaper than queuing at the official left-luggage desk — and you can drop bags at nearby hotels or shops instead.
Visitor Cards and Passes
Roma Pass
For visitors planning multiple journeys, integrated passes offer better value. The Roma Pass includes unlimited public transit and museum discounts.
| Duration | Price | Museums |
|---|---|---|
| 48h | €38.00 | 1 free |
| 72h | €62.90 | 2 free |
ATAC Tourist Tickets
ATAC Tourist Tickets cover all buses, trams, and metro. A single BIT ticket costs €1.50 (valid 100 min).
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| BIT (single) | €1.50 |
| 24h | €8.50 |
| 48h | €15.00 |
| 72h | €22.00 |
| CIS (weekly) | €29.00 |
Children’s Fares
- Under-10s travel free on all ATAC services (bus, tram, and Metro) when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
- On Trenitalia regional trains (FL1 to Fiumicino or Ciampino), under-4s travel free without a seat; children aged 4–11 travel free — one child per paying adult (Lazio Fare 1/Ter).
- On the Leonardo Express, under-4s are free (no seat); ages 4–14 receive a 50% discount on the base fare.
These passes do not include the Leonardo Express or regional trains from Fiumicino. Purchase them at the Tourist Information Points (PIT) located in Fiumicino Terminal 3 Arrivals.
Use Citymapper for the most intuitive real-time navigation and precise station exit details, while MooneyGo is the essential choice for purchasing and validating digital transit tickets and parking in Rome.
Public Transit
Train & Metro
Price and Time
From Fiumicino (FCO), the Leonardo Express is a dedicated non-stop train to Roma Termini. It costs €14, takes 32 minutes, and runs every 15 minutes.
Tickets & Validation
At Fiumicino, purchase tickets at Trenitalia kiosks. You must validate physical paper tickets at the green/white machines on the platform before boarding.
The Leonardo Express allows you to roll luggage directly onto the train without steps.
Bus
Airport Shuttles
Shuttle buses like Terravision, SIT Bus Shuttle, and T.A.M. serve both airports.
Fiumicino to Termini takes 50–70 minutes for €6–€7. Exit Terminal 3 Arrivals and turn right to find the bus hubs.
If your hotel is near Prati or the Vatican, use the SIT Bus Shuttle from Fiumicino. It has a dedicated stop at Via Crescenzio, saving you a taxi ride across the center.
Accessibility & Safety
Accessibility
ADR offers the Sala Amica service. Request assistance through your airline 48 hours in advance. If you cannot find an elevator in Terminal 3, ask Sala Amica staff to use service lifts.
ADR AssistanceSafety
Unofficial Transfers: Ignore men with clipboards in the arrivals hall claiming to be “Official Airport Shuttles.” Only book taxis at the official rank outside.
In the city center, “Sanpietrini” (black cobblestones) are slippery and uneven. Wear sturdy shoes and avoid rolling suitcases with small plastic wheels over them, as they may snap.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
Fill the online form at adr.it/oggetti-smarriti. Lost Property office at T3 Arrivals — tel: 06 65955253. For baggage left on the aircraft, contact your airline’s handling company — Dnata (T1 & T3): +39 06659560428, Mon–Sun 9am–12pm & 4–7pm.
ADR Lost & FoundPharmacy
Full pharmacy in Terminal 3 (2nd floor, 6am–9pm, tel: 0665955550) and Terminal 1 (1st floor departures, 5am–9pm, tel: 0665955551). Para-pharmacies (no prescriptions) in boarding areas A1–A27 and E (2nd floor).
FCO Useful NumbersFirst Aid
ADR First Aid open 24h/365 — tel: 06 6595 3133/4.
FCO Useful NumbersArrival
Official Taxi
Official Rome taxis are white, have a “Comune di Roma” crest, and a taxi sign on the roof.
Price: Fiumicino to Center (Aurelian Walls) has a fixed fare of €55.
ADR – FCO Taxi FaresAlways use the official rank outside the terminals/station. Ignore solicitors offering rides.
Say “Tariffa Fissa” (Fixed Fare) before the driver pulls away to prevent them from using the meter.
Rideshare
For Uber Black/NCC: Follow 'NCC' signs to the Short Stay Parking (Parcheggio Breve Sosta) T3. For Freenow: Use the Official Taxi Rank outside Arrivals.
Ensure the vehicle has an “NCC” sticker (Rental with Driver) on the rear window. This is the only legal way for non-taxi rideshare vehicles to operate.
Use FreeNow or itTaxi for the fastest city transit, as they hail official taxis authorized to use dedicated bus lanes to bypass Rome’s heavy traffic. Select Uber for premium reliability or a seamless transfer at Fiumicino Airport, where it is the official partner with dedicated priority pickup zones.
ATMs and currency
Locations
ATMs are available throughout airports and the station.
- Only use bank-affiliated ATMs (e.g., UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo). Avoid Euronet or generic kiosks.
- Always decline the machine’s currency conversion. Choose to be charged in Euros (EUR) to let your home bank handle the rate and avoid fees up to 13%.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
Arrive at least 2 hours before departure for European/Schengen flights, and 3 hours for long-haul routes (US, Asia). Terminal 3 handles most international departures — check the overhead screens for your flight’s check-in Area (e.g., Area 200–300). Most low-cost carriers use Terminal 1.
If your flight departs from Gates E, you will board a short automated shuttle train after security. Once across, returning to the main shopping area is not possible — do your duty-free browsing before boarding.
Security Controls
Security & Screening
Fiumicino uses next-generation EDS C3 scanners (deployed from July 26, 2025). You may keep liquids up to 2 litres and electronics (laptops, tablets) inside your carry-on — no need to remove them for standard screening.
Exception — US and Israel flights: These gates use traditional X-ray machines. Liquids must be in containers of 100 ml or less, placed in a transparent zip bag (max 1 L total), and electronics must be placed in the tray separately.
FCO Security ChecksPassport Control
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at Fiumicino since April 10, 2026. Non-EU and non-Schengen nationals departing on non-Schengen routes must pass through passport control:
- Biometric passport holders (aged 12+) can use self-service e-gates (facial scan + fingerprints).
- First-time registration takes 2–4 minutes — allow extra time at peak hours.
- EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are exempt from EES checks.
VAT Refunds
Italy uses the OTELLO digital system. Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund on purchases of €70.01 or more at participating Italian stores.
Before check-in: Visit the Customs Office or a VAT operator desk in the Departures area. For items packed in checked baggage, process the refund before dropping your bags at the airline counter.
Operator desks (Global Blue, Planet, Tax Refund) are located at:
- Terminal 3 Departures — near check-in counters 196–225
- Terminal 1 Departures — near check-in counters 111–140
- Boarding Area E — near the ADR Info Point
You need a confirmed boarding pass or your e-ticket to process a VAT refund. Visit the Customs desk before dropping checked luggage — hold-baggage items must be inspected before check-in.