How to Get from Rome's Airports to Termini and San Lorenzo: Every Option Compared

Two airports, six possible options, and a few practical traps to avoid. Here is the honest, locally-sourced guide to choosing the right transfer for the way you actually travel — with the prices and times that apply right now in 2026.

The quick answer

Most travellers arriving at Fiumicino (FCO) are best served by the Leonardo Express: €14, 32 minutes non-stop to Termini, departures every 15 minutes. From Ciampino (CIA), the shuttle bus (Terravision or SIT) at €6–7 is usually the right choice. Once at Termini, the heart of San Lorenzo is a 10-minute walk — no further transport needed.

If you have heavy luggage, three or more travellers, or arrive late at night, an official taxi at the flat fare (€55 from FCO, €40 from CIA) often makes more sense than the train. The full comparison is below.

Two airports, two strategies

Rome is served by two airports. Knowing which one you are flying into determines the entire transfer logic.

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is the main international gateway, located 30 km southwest of the city. Almost all long-haul, non-budget, and major-carrier flights land here. It runs 24 hours a day and has a dedicated train station inside the terminal area.

Giovan Battista Pastine–Ciampino Airport (CIA) is the smaller secondary airport, 16 km southeast of the city, used mostly by low-cost carriers — Ryanair and Wizz Air in particular. It does not have an internal train station, so the train is never a direct option from there. Note that Ciampino closes between 00:00 and 04:30 every night.

Check your boarding pass before reading further: the strategies for the two airports are genuinely different.

From Fiumicino (FCO) to Rome

1. Leonardo Express — the default choice for most

The Leonardo Express is the dedicated airport train operated by Trenitalia. It runs non-stop between Fiumicino and Roma Termini in exactly 32 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes from early morning until late evening. The first train from Termini leaves at 4:50, the last train from Fiumicino at 23:53.

A one-way ticket costs €14. Children under 4 travel free; one child aged 4–11 travels free with each paying adult. Travelling as a group of four? Buy a Mini-Groups ticket for €40 instead of €56, in a single transaction. Frequent travellers can also buy a 10-trip Carnet for €115.

You will find the train station at the airport by following the signs marked "Treni" or "Stazione" — about 7 minutes' walk from arrivals, accessible by lift or escalator. Tickets can be bought at automated machines, the Trenitalia desk, online, or by tapping a contactless card directly at the platform reader (the new TAP&TAP system).

2. Regional FL1 — the budget option that doesn't go to Termini

The FL1 regional line is a slower, cheaper train that connects Fiumicino to Roma Trastevere, Roma Ostiense, Roma Tuscolana, and Roma Tiburtina — but not Termini directly. A ticket costs €8, the journey takes 50 minutes, and trains run roughly every 15 minutes.

This option only makes sense if you are staying near one of those stations (Trastevere, in particular). For travellers heading to San Lorenzo, the FL1 forces you to change at Tiburtina and take a tram or short taxi — by which point the time and price advantage over the Leonardo Express has vanished.

3. Shuttle buses — the cheapest direct option

Three companies run direct shuttles between Fiumicino airport and Roma Termini: Terravision, SIT Bus Shuttle, and Tambus. Tickets booked online start at €5–7; bought on the spot they go up to €10. All three depart from outside Terminal 3.

The journey takes 50 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic — and Roman traffic is its own variable. Buses leave every 20–30 minutes, with the first departure around 05:30 and the last around 23:00. Luggage goes free in the hold.

This is the right option if you are travelling on a strict budget, are not in a hurry, and arrive during normal hours. Avoid it during rush hour or if your hotel check-in time is tight.

4. Taxi — the comfort option, with one important caveat

Rome operates a flat-fare system for taxis to and from Fiumicino. An official Rome-licensed taxi will charge a fixed €55 per car (not per person) for any destination inside the Aurelian Walls — the historic city centre, which includes San Lorenzo. The fare includes all supplements: luggage, weekend, night, holiday surcharges. It applies to up to four passengers.

Look for white cars with "TAXI" on the roof, the Rome city emblem and licence number on the front doors. The fare is the same in either direction. Taxi rank is at the exits of Terminals 1 and 3.

To book a Rome taxi by phone: dial 060609 or use the official ChiamaTaxi 060609 app. There is a €5 booking supplement for radio-taxi calls, but it gives certainty.

5. Private transfers and Uber

Private transfer companies operate at Fiumicino with pre-booked rates, typically €60–80 for a sedan to central Rome. Useful for late arrivals, large groups (5+), or families with small children. Book through reputable agencies — your accommodation host can usually recommend one.

Uber is available in Rome but only as Uber Black (licensed NCC drivers, premium pricing — usually €70–90 to/from FCO). Standard UberX does not exist in Italy due to licensing rules. For most travellers, the official taxi is both cheaper and more practical.

From Ciampino (CIA) to Rome

Ciampino has fewer options because there is no train station inside the airport. Three real choices: shuttle bus, combined bus+train, or taxi.

1. Shuttle bus — the practical default

Terravision and SIT Bus Shuttle both run direct services from outside the Ciampino arrivals terminal to Roma Termini (Via Marsala, just outside the station). Tickets cost €6–7 online, the journey takes about 40 minutes, and buses run every 30–40 minutes from early morning until 22:30.

This is the right choice for most Ciampino arrivals. Boarding is straightforward: follow the signs from the arrivals exit, find the bus zone outside, and show your QR code to the driver.

2. Ciampino Airlink — the cheapest possible route

Officially branded by Trenitalia, the Ciampino Airlink is a combined ticket that covers a short bus ride from the airport to Ciampino railway station, plus a regional train into Roma Termini. Total cost: €2.70.

The catch is timing. The bus runs less frequently than the trains, so total journey time can stretch to 40–60 minutes depending on connections. The bus from the airport to Ciampino station takes about 10 minutes; the train then takes 18–20 minutes to Termini. There are luggage racks on both legs, and the trains run from roughly 05:30 to 23:20.

For travellers comfortable with public transport and not in a hurry, this is the clear winner on price. For families with small children or heavy bags, the direct bus is worth the extra €4.

3. Taxi — €40 flat fare

An official Rome-licensed taxi from Ciampino to anywhere inside the Aurelian Walls costs a flat €40 per car, all supplements included, for up to 4 passengers. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Same warnings apply as for Fiumicino: only Rome-licensed taxis (white, with the city emblem) honour this rate.

Late at night — particularly for early-morning Ryanair departures or delayed arrivals after 22:30 — the taxi is often the only realistic option, since the airport closes at midnight and shuttle services thin out.

From Termini to San Lorenzo

You've reached Termini. San Lorenzo, the bohemian university quarter just east of the station, is closer than most arriving travellers realise.

Walking — 10 to 12 minutes

From Termini, exit on the north-eastern side — Via Marsala, the side facing Via Tiburtina. Walk straight along Via Tiburtina, crossing under the railway bridge. Within 10 minutes you are in the heart of San Lorenzo, surrounded by the brick-faced buildings, vaulted-ceiling apartments, and street art that define the quarter.

The walk is safe during the day and well-lit in the evening. Stick to Via Tiburtina rather than detouring through quieter side streets if you arrive after dark or with valuable luggage.

Tram — 5 minutes

Trams 3 and 19 stop at Porta Maggiore and Verano, both central to San Lorenzo. From Termini, walk 4 minutes to the tram stop on Piazza dei Cinquecento or take the metro one stop to Vittorio Emanuele. A standard ATAC ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 100 minutes including transfers.

Taxi — 5 minutes, around €10

If you are arriving with multiple suitcases or in the rain, a short taxi ride from Termini to San Lorenzo costs €8–12 on the meter. The taxi rank is on the front side of Termini (Piazza dei Cinquecento).

Insider tips and what to avoid