The largest airport serving the area around Rome, the Leonard da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is the most common airport for people to transit in and out of when visiting Italy’s capital. Usually just known as Fiumicino Airport, transfers to and from the city centre are easy and convenient, and it’s only 27 miles from the centre of Rome. This large airport is serviced by a huge number of airlines with destinations in hundreds of cities across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
This article will introduce the airport and provide tips to make your journey easier and more pleasant, with information about terminal restaurants and, importantly, Fiumicino airport transfers.
A short history of the airport
Officially opening in 1961, this site replaced the smaller Rome Ciampino Airport as the major airport servicing the Italian capital. Rome Ciampino is still operational, although it is now normally only used for domestic operations and low-cost flights. The new site originally opened with two runways, and a third was added later in the decade (after heavy investment by Alitalia). Although the official opening to the public wasn’t until 1961, it was actually put to use the year before that, in order to help relieve the heavy air traffic during the Rome Olympics of that summer.
Facilities in the terminal
After you’ve landed and cleared security, there are a host of restaurants and cafes to choose from. There’s also a wine bar called Marchesi de’Frescobaldi, and another in Area D that serves truffles and is, appropriately, called the Wine and Truffle Bar. For quick and tasty food, check out the Antica Focacceria San Francesco, which serves up Sicilian food and a full service restaurant (in Area D).
Getting to and from Fiumicino airport: transfers and taxis
Since this airport is the major hub for travel to and from the Italian capital, there is an excellent infrastructure and plenty of connections that make it easy to get to and from the city centre. Fiumicino airport transfers by shuttle are probably the easiest way to get into the city quickly; you can arrange to be picked up at the terminal and taken straight to your hotel, apartment or other destination. This method takes a little forward planning, although it is made easier by online booking systems. It is far cheaper than to take a taxi, however if you do decide take a taxi, be sure to agree on the fare before you set off. It isn’t unheard of for taxi drivers to take longer routes or blatantly overcharge passengers – although this is allegedly rare these days. There is currently a fixed charge of €48, so it might be a good idea to make sure that the driver knows you know this!
