The primary international airport serving Rome, Fiumicino is the busiest in Italy and a hub for the country's principal carrier - ITA Airlines. Thanks to the efficient rail and bus connections, the airport can be easily accessed, not only from Rome but also from other major cities like Naples and Venice. This makes it an excellent gateway for reaching any Italian destination. You will also find that Fiumicino Airport offers top-class passenger services and an array of shopping and dining options.
Ciampino Airport operates on a smaller scale than Fiumicino, catering mainly to low-cost airlines. It is a commercial and military airport, just 15 kilometers from the Roman city center. With just a single terminal building, Ciampino Airport is simple to navigate, less crowded (hence fewer waiting times), and well-connected to the city via a combination of trains, buses, and taxis. The cherry on the top is the drive from Ciampino Airport to Rome, which is scenic and less traffic-prone, just the right way to start your Roman exploration.
This depends mainly on where you are flying from or to. Since Fiumicino Airport serves more international flights than Ciampino, chances are you will only have Fiumicino as a viable option. However, Ciampino Airport could also be an option for those traveling from within Europe. Other factors to account for are budget and time. Ciampino serves more low-cost airlines and is a hassle-free airport due to lesser crowds but Fiumicino has more passenger services and amenities.
Ciampino Airport is closer to the city center of Rome than Fiumicino Airport.
Leonardo Express offers the fastest connection from Fiumicino Airport to Rome or back, taking just 30 minutes.
Bus transfers with Terravision offer the cheapest connection from Fiumicino Airport to Rome, starting at just €6.
Taxis take the least travel time from Ciampino Airport to Rome or back as there are no waiting times. However, since this is more expensive, you can opt for affordable bus transfers which may require slightly more waiting.
Ciampino Airlink offers the cheapest connection from Ciampino Airport to Rome. However, given these are not direct connections, it might be wiser to opt for bus transfers which are also quite affordable, while also being convenient and direct.
You can opt for either of the Rome airports - Fiumicino or Ciampino - for connecting to the Vatican. Buses operated by SIT have stops at the Vatican on their way from the airports to Rome and back, making for direct and efficient airport transfers.
There are bus and train services from Fiumicino Airport to Naples and back. You can opt for the super fast Frecciarossa trains or the cheaper Fiumicino Express bus services to make this connection.