Are There Two Airports In Rome? | Choose FCO Or CIA

Rome is served by two main passenger airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA), and most intercontinental flights use FCO.

Rome has two airports that visitors use all the time. They aren’t interchangeable. One is a big international hub with frequent trains and a huge range of flights. The other is smaller, closer to town, and often tied to low-cost schedules. Pick the right airport for your route and your stay, and your arrival gets a lot smoother.

This article answers Are There Two Airports In Rome? right away, then breaks down what each airport is like, who it fits best, and how to reach the parts of Rome where travelers usually sleep, eat, and start sightseeing.

Two airports in Rome and what each one does

Fiumicino (FCO) is Rome’s primary airport. It’s also called Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Most long-haul flights and many full-service carriers use it.

Ciampino (CIA) is smaller and sits southeast of the city. Many budget routes use it, along with some short-haul flights.

Airport codes you’ll see on tickets

• FCO = Rome Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci)
• CIA = Rome Ciampino (G. B. Pastine)

Why the second airport catches people off guard

It’s easy to click “Rome” in a flight search and assume you’ll land at the main hub. Then you book a shuttle, and the pickup is for the other airport. A quick code check before you buy any transfer saves that headache.

How to choose between FCO and CIA

Your airline route decides a lot. After that, the best pick comes down to where you’re staying, how you plan to reach town, and what time you land.

If you’re flying long-haul, FCO is the usual pick

Most nonstop flights from North America, plus many connections from major European hubs, arrive at Fiumicino. It’s built for volume, with more desks, more gates, and more transport choices outside arrivals.

If you’re flying a budget carrier within Europe, CIA may pop up

Ciampino can mean a cheaper ticket, then fewer choices once you land. The building is compact, so peak arrival waves can feel crowded.

Match the airport to your base area

• Near Termini: FCO pairs well with the direct train; CIA often pairs well with a direct shuttle bus.
• Near the Vatican or Prati: FCO often works well with train plus metro or taxi; CIA can still work, with more switching.
• South Rome stays: CIA can be convenient since it’s on that side of town.

Late arrivals and heavy bags

If you land late, schedules matter. A delayed flight can push you into slower transport. If you’re tired, traveling with kids, or hauling big suitcases, a single ride to your hotel can feel worth the cost.

What to expect at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

Fiumicino is the larger airport with more space, more signs, and more services. Border control and baggage claim can still take time, so plan for walking and waiting.

Terminals and the flow after landing

Most arrivals follow the same steps: passport control for non-Schengen entries, baggage claim, customs, then the public arrivals hall. From there, you’ll see routes to trains, buses, taxis, and car rentals.

Ground transport from FCO

Many first-timers find the train the cleanest option, since it avoids traffic and drops you at a central rail hub. Taxis and prebooked cars are strong picks when you want door-to-door travel.

For official maps, services, and live flight info, Aeroporti di Roma runs the page for Rome Fiumicino “Leonardo da Vinci” Airport.

What to expect at Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA)

Ciampino is smaller and more direct. Shorter walks can be nice. When several flights land close together, the tight space shows up around transport queues.

Ground transport from CIA

Most visitors use a shuttle bus to Termini, a taxi or private car, or a bus to a metro or regional rail stop, then a train toward the center.

For official maps and service pages, see Rome Ciampino “G.B. Pastine” Airport.

FCO vs CIA at a glance

This table compresses the trade-offs into one view.

Factor	Fiumicino (FCO)	Ciampino (CIA)
Typical flights	Long-haul, full-service carriers, many EU routes	Short-haul, many low-cost routes
Airport size	Large, multi-terminal feel	Smaller, compact layout
Where it sits	West of Rome near the coast	Southeast of Rome
Easy transfer	Direct rail to Termini or taxi	Direct bus to Termini or taxi
Late-night backup	More transport choice	Fewer choices, queues can stack up
Food and shops	Wider range across terminals	Limited range
Car rentals	Many desks and vehicle choice	Available, fewer desks
Best fit	First-timers, families, long-haul arrivals	Travelers with light bags, short breaks

Getting from FCO to Rome: options that fit most trips

Most visitors want a simple first step: reach the hotel, drop bags, then start the trip. These are the options that usually work.

Direct rail to Termini

FCO has a direct rail service to Roma Termini, the city’s main station. If your hotel is near Termini, this can be a straight shot. If you’re staying elsewhere, connect from Termini to the metro, a local train, or a taxi line.

Taxi for one ride to your hotel

A taxi can be the easiest choice with bulky luggage or a late arrival. Use the official taxi queue and confirm your destination before you set off.

Coach buses when price matters

Coach buses run between FCO and central points like Termini. They can cost less than a taxi, with a fixed drop-off point and timing shaped by traffic.

Rental car if you’re leaving Rome right away

A rental car makes more sense if you’re heading out to the countryside, the coast, or another region soon after landing.

Getting from CIA to Rome: routes people use most

Ciampino transfers can be easy when you pick a plan and stick to it. The goal is fewer switches when you’re tired.

Direct shuttle bus to Termini

Many travelers use a direct shuttle bus from Ciampino to Termini. It’s one ticket, one ride, then you’re in town.

Taxi or private car

This is the cleanest choice for a late landing, a family group, or a stay far from Termini.

Bus plus metro or regional rail

Some routes use a local bus from the airport to a nearby rail or metro stop, then a train toward the center. It can cost less, but it adds a switch and more walking.

Transfer planning habits that cut friction

Check the airport code before you buy a transfer

Match your ticket code to the transfer listing. FCO and CIA are both “Rome,” yet they are not the same trip.

Leave slack for passport control on non-Schengen arrivals

If you enter Italy from outside the Schengen Area, passport control at FCO can take time. Plan your train or bus with wiggle room.

Save your hotel location offline

Store the full street, number, and neighborhood in your notes, plus a map pin, so you can show it even if your signal drops.

Which airport fits common Rome itineraries

Lots of people pick an airport based only on price. That’s fine when you’re flexible. If your plans are tight, it helps to think in terms of where you’ll spend your first two hours in the city.

Hotels near Termini

Termini is the easiest target for first-time logistics. From FCO, the direct train gets you there with one ride. From CIA, the direct shuttle bus is the straight path. After you reach Termini, you can walk to many budget hotels or grab a quick taxi for a short hop.

Stays near the Vatican, Prati, and the north bank

If you’re staying near the Vatican Museums or the river area in Prati, you’ll often do best with a plan that ends with a metro stop or a short taxi ride. From FCO, rail into the city plus a metro connection can work well. From CIA, many travelers go shuttle to Termini, then metro, then walk.

Trastevere and the historic center

For Trastevere, Campo de’ Fiori, and other central zones with narrow streets, a taxi from a rail hub can beat dragging suitcases over cobblestones. If you’re landing after an overnight flight, a single ride from FCO can feel like money well spent. If you’re landing at CIA, a prebooked car can remove the guesswork.

Civitavecchia cruise port days

If you’re flying in for a cruise, check your ship’s boarding time and buffer for delays. FCO tends to offer more flight choices and smoother onward planning. CIA can still work, yet a cheaper fare isn’t much comfort if you’re sprinting toward the port.

If you need to switch between Rome’s airports

Sometimes your inbound flight lands at one airport and your outbound flight leaves from the other. It’s doable, but it’s not a “pop over in 15 minutes” situation.

• Leave extra time. Traffic, queues, and route changes can stretch the transfer.
• Plan your transfer before you land. Know if you’ll use a direct car, a shuttle, or rail plus a bus link.
• Pack snacks and water. Airport transfers feel longer when you’re hungry and stuck in traffic.

If your connection is short on the same day, a single car transfer is often the least stressful way to move between airports.

Small checks that prevent common mistakes

Don’t book “Rome airport” transport without the code

Transfer listings can look similar. Confirm FCO or CIA in the title before you pay.

Watch for look-alike street names

Rome has streets with the same name in different parts of town. Save your hotel’s full street and number, plus a map pin, so the driver can go to the right place.

Keep your first meal plan simple

After travel, decision fatigue is real. Aim for an easy first meal near your stay, then get some sleep. You’ll enjoy the sights more the next day.

Transport timing and cost ranges

Prices and timing shift by season, provider, and time of day. Use these ranges to compare options on the same screen.

Mode	From FCO to central Rome	From CIA to central Rome
Direct rail or rail-based trip	Often 30–60 minutes, steady timing	Usually needs a bus link first
Coach or shuttle bus	Often 45–90 minutes, traffic-dependent	Often 40–80 minutes, traffic-dependent
Taxi or private car	Often 35–70 minutes, traffic-dependent	Often 25–60 minutes, traffic-dependent
Rental car to leave Rome	Good access to routes west and north	Good access to routes south and east
Late-night arrival plan	Taxi queue plus backup options	Taxi or prebooked car is the safer bet

Answer recap for trip planners

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). FCO is the main hub for long-haul and many full-service routes. CIA is smaller and often tied to short-haul, low-cost flights. Match the airport to your flight, your landing time, and your hotel area, and your first hour in Rome will feel calmer.