Rome has two international airports, Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA).
The main Rome international airport is Fiumicino (FCO), also called Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, located 35km southwest of the city center of Rome. While Ciampino (CIA) airport offers short range European flights from the budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizzair and is located 15km southeast of the center.
So which airport is better and which one should you fly into?
Rome Airports Code
FCO is the IATA airport code for Fiumicino. The name of this airport is Leonardo da Vinci, but since the airport is located in the town of Fiumicino, it is also often called just Fiumicino airport.
CIA is the IATA airport code for Ciampino.
Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (FCO) – Leonardo Da Vinci
The main airport in Rome is the Leonardo Da Vinci Airport. In recent times, the airport has undergone extensions of terminals and services and climbed continental rankings in terms of quality of services provided to passengers. According to the rankings of ACI Europe (Airport Council International), the association that brings together the main airports in Europe, the Leonardo Da Vinci airport ranks as the first European hub for quality of services. With a record of 4.40 points out of 5, Fiumicino Airport is now the most favoured airport in the EU.
There are four terminals at Rome Fiumicino airport:
- Terminal 1: handles domestic and Schengen flights
- Terminal 2: permanently closed as there is an expansion project for Terminal 1
- Terminal 3: domestic flights, Schengen and non-Schengen flights
- Terminal 5: temporarily closed due to works
There are many things to do, from shopping at premium and luxury stores like Gucci, Chanel, Liu Jo, Calzedonia and Intimissimi, to getting a glass of wine at Rosso Intenso or indulging in baked goods at Dèlice Maison. Fiumicino airport is equipped with a great shopping and dining experience, VIP lounges, smoking rooms and more. Security is quite fast too, but just in case, arrive two hours ahead of your flight so you can be extra sure and enjoy a glass of wine or shop with your extra time!
Leonardo express is the non-stop service that connects the Roma Termini train station to the Rome Fiumicino Airport in just 30 minutes, with departures scheduled every 30 minutes.
The bottom line:
Fiumicino Airport is further from Rome city center but it’s better if you want a great shopping and dining experience, for business trips (great business lounges), if you’re not on a budget in terms of transportation to/from the city center and if you’re flying long haul flights.
Visit these detailed pages for more about:
Fiumicino Airport, read our complete guide.
How to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome city centre
Rome’s Ciampino Airport (CIA) – G.B. Pastine
Don’t expect much of the Ciampino Airport, especially in terms of facilities and design. It’s simply a one-terminal airport that operates short range European and domestic flights for low cost carriers. It’s very small and once you’re past security, there isn’t much to do.
The plus side is, being such a small airport, Ciampino Airport allows you to breeze through security. And once you’re past the metal detectors, you’re already at your gate, ready to board your plane. If you have some time on your hands, you can shop at the duty free store, Barbieri and WHSmith or buy some chocolates from Cioccolati Italiani, get an espresso from Chef Express or have a pizza at Rossosapore. You’ll also find ATM machines and a Sanifarma store (health and beauty store).
The bottom line:
Ciampino Airport is better if you’re on a budget, flying low-cost and want to save money on transportation to/from the airport and the city center.
Visit these detailed pages for more about:
Ciampino Airport, read our complete guide.
How to get from Ciampino Airport to the city of Rome city centre
Useful resource:
Aeroporti di Roma website: www.adr.it/fiumicino
