A Comprehensive Guide to Rome's Airports: Fiumicino and Ciampino

The Eternal City, Italy’s capital, ranks among the globe's most sought-after tourist spots. With its rich heritage, stunning landmarks, delectable cuisine, and reliably pleasant climate, it's easy to see why. In 2023, nearly 45 million travelers passed through the two major airports in Rome, with around 35 million on international flights.

The choice of the best Rome airport for your needs largely depends on your departure or arrival city. However, there are additional factors to keep in mind—such as your accommodation and travel schedule. Alternatively, you might just be passing through en route to another destination. This guide will help you navigate both of Rome’s main airports to make an informed decision.

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport – FCO

Formally known as Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino, Rome's primary airport is commonly referred to as Rome-Fiumicino, named after the nearby town. It holds the title of Italy’s busiest airport, surpassing Milan Malpensa in terms of destinations, flights, and passenger traffic. A major hub for international travel, layovers, and connections, Fiumicino welcomed around 40 million passengers in 2023.

Currently, Fiumicino is serviced by 111 airlines, connecting to and from 208 destinations across 76 countries, both domestically and internationally.

FCO Terminals

With such a wide array of airlines and destinations, it’s no surprise that Fiumicino features four terminals. However, it’s a bit misleading since they are labeled Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5—Terminal 4 has yet to be constructed.

Adding to the confusion, currently, only two terminals are operational: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 has been permanently shut down, while Terminal 5, which used to be the primary hub for US flights, is undergoing extensive renovations that seem never-ending.

Although this may appear complicated, it actually simplifies things for travelers. Transferring between terminals is a breeze, as they are just a five-minute walk apart. Free shuttle buses are available for those with too much baggage to manage.

Regarding the airport experience, few can rival Fiumicino. For six consecutive years, it has been recognized as the best airport in Europe for over 40 million travelers by the Airports Council International (ACI), thanks to the impressive facilities in both terminals.

In Terminal 3, the Made in Italy shopping center features over 50 shops offering authentic Italian products, perfect for picking up any last-minute gifts you may have missed in Rome. Personally, I enjoy Terminal 1, especially for its Eataly food court, which opened in 2022. It's a must-stop for me to indulge in a slice of Buffalo Mozzarella pizza or a bowl of Amatriciana. The Vini e Aperitivi bar also offers delightful wine and appetizer pairings. Plus, if you're looking for bargains, Terminal 1 houses the largest Aelia duty-free zone in the world!

Airlines at FCO

Fiumicino is home to ITA, Italy’s national airline (previously known as Alitalia). As the airport's largest carrier, it operates around 50 routes from Terminal 1. Notably, the five most frequented destinations are all domestic or located in Spain, highlighting the airport's role as a key hub for Mediterranean tourism. Other significant airlines at T1 include popular low-cost carriers such as WizzAir, RyanAir, Eurowings, and Vueling, which primarily serve European routes.

Terminal 3 is the larger terminal and accommodates most long-haul flights, including those to the US. Airlines such as American Airlines, Air Canada, Delta, United, British Airways, Emirates, and Etihad all operate from Terminal 3. For travelers coming from the US, Fiumicino is the ideal airport to reach Rome.

Location of FCO

The town that gives its name to Fiumicino is situated about 14 miles southwest of the Colosseum in a straight line. This translates to approximately 25 miles and up to an hour by road, depending on traffic conditions. The location is quite stunning, positioned right on the coast with views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. If you're lucky enough to get a window seat on your flight, you'll be treated to amazing views during both your arrival and departure.

I've often found taking taxis to and from the airport to be somewhat of a lottery. While there are fixed fare rules for trips to the city center, I've encountered drivers who ignore these rates and charge significantly more. As is frequently the case, dedicated transfer services tend to be the more reliable choice.

There are multiple train options available for traveling into Rome, all departing from the train station just a 10-minute walk from the terminals. Since travel times can vary greatly, it's crucial to select the right service.

Rome-Ciampino – CIA

The second major airport in Rome is Ciampino, officially known as Rome–Ciampino International Airport “G. B. Pastine'. It's named after the renowned Italian airship captain Giovan Battista Pastine, who served during World War One. (With the airport code ‘CIA’, it definitely has a unique flair!) Primarily a hub for low-cost airlines, Ciampino also serves commercial and military flights, but it operates on a much smaller scale than Fiumicino.

In 2023, the airport managed just under four million passengers traveling to and from Rome. Of these, around million were on international flights. Currently, it is serviced by 27 airlines operating 122 routes across 26 countries, though many of these flights are charter or military in nature. In practice, only a few commercial carriers operate here.

Being closer to the city center than Fiumicino, Ciampino is the ideal airport for those flying into Rome from Europe. It's compact and easy to navigate, with just one terminal catering to all flights, meaning you don’t have to arrive hours before your flight. However, this also means its facilities and amenities are less impressive compared to its larger counterpart.

CIA terminal facilities

You'll find cafés, pizza, and typical fast food options, but there aren't many pleasant places to sit down for a meal after going through passport control. Personally, I prefer the café in departures before security, where the coffee is particularly excellent – after all, this is Italy!

Shopping here is a delight, with luxury brands from Burberry to Valentino competing for your euros. The Bufala di Fattorie Garofalo food store is an excellent spot to find exquisite local delicacies as gifts. Note that Ciampino is closed from midnight to 4:00 am, so you can’t spend the night. You’ll need to arrange accommodation nearby instead.

CIA airlines

Ciampino is a hub for budget airlines. Once a charter and military airport, it experienced a decline until a wave of low-cost carriers showed interest. Now, the top airlines operating here include Ryanair, VistaJet, and Wizz Air, primarily servicing European routes. The most frequented destination is London Stansted.

CIA location

Ciampino is located just eight miles from the Colosseum, making it the more accessible airport in Rome. Situated to the southeast of the city center, it provides plenty of transport options for a hassle-free commute. However, it doesn't actually offer a quicker route to the city center compared to Fiumicino.

As always, I lean towards the public transport option. At Ciampino Airport, it's straightforward, frequent, and affordable—three of my favorite travel terms!

Which Rome airport is the best to fly into?

With only two main airports in Rome, the question isn't really which one is the best to fly into. For sheer convenience, Ciampino stands out as the closest to the city center, especially for those using budget airlines across Europe.

If your travels take you between Rome and the US or other long-haul destinations, Fiumicino is your only practical choice. But what a fantastic airport it is! Well-connected globally, modern, clean, and boasting world-class facilities, there’s not much to complain about. Although it’s a bit further from the center than Ciampino, the travel times aren’t drastically different.

Final Thoughts

When compared to iconic cities like London, which has six airports, one could say Rome is somewhat limited with just two. This is particularly true when considering Ciampino’s minor role and its fewer destinations. However, Italy doesn't depend on its capital as a primary travel hub; cities like Venice, Milan, and Naples are well-equipped in their own right, and Rome’s airports still manage 45 million passengers annually.

To learn more about Italy’s airports and others around the globe, check out the Dinogo Airport guide.

What’s the process behind this guide?

I find myself traveling across Europe quite frequently, gathering stories and enjoying vacations. Over the past five years, I've visited Italy, especially Rome, more times than I can count. It's not just a gateway to the Eternal City, but also to the stunning landscapes of Lazio and Tuscany. This guide encapsulates my experiences and insights, particularly regarding the evolution of the airports—from the closure of old terminals to the opening of new ones.