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      1. Rome
      2. Venice

Airport Guide

Airports in Rome

A visit to Rome marks the trip of a lifetime. Rome is the centre of culture, romance, arts and cuisine. From theatre acts to photographs, Rome is full of life and love – a feeling evident at start of your Rome trip. From the moment you board the flight to Rome it’s hard not to get swept away by the Italian way of life.

Brush up on your history during the long flight to Rome. From emperors to dictators to artists and musicians, Rome has produced some of the most world-famous names in history. Today, Rome is centre of the Italian government and home to the Vatican. But there is more to Rome than a rich history. Book a cheap flight to Rome and experience some of the best sidewalk sophistication in the world. From open-air cafes full of people sipping cappuccino to fashionable boutiques packed full of couture clothes, there’s something for everyone in Rome. Pack your best pair of walking shoes and head to the streets – from the Spanish Steps to the Roman amphitheatre your days in Rome will be packed with sightseeing activities.

Take a break while you’re in the Eternal City and pull up a chair at one of the many cafes around Rome. Sip limoncello and watch the world go by before you board your Rome flight back home. Whether you find a cheap flight to Rome for an impromptu holiday or plan a jam-packed Roman vacation, the trip to Rome will be unforgettable.

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Rome Climate

Winter is typically cool with December and January temperatures up to 10 degrees Celsius and most of the yearly rainfall. Spring and fall are Rome’s best weather seasons. April usually starts in the teens and temperatures reach the upper 20s in June. Summer can be very hot and dry with July and August temperatures in the mid-20s.

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When to Fly to Rome

Peak Season

Rome’s peak tourist season begins just before Easter (when the greatest number of visitors flock to the city) and runs through October. June to the beginning of September is usually the most expensive and crowded time to travel to Rome and when most Rome flights and hotels are booked in advance. Many visitors come in the summer despite the warmer weather. It’s recommended that you don’t book flights to Rome in August. Most of the population is on vacation for the month of August, especially the last two weeks. Even hotels, restaurants, and shops are closed as all the Romans go on vacation.

Off Season

Most attractions either go on shorter winter hours or close for renovations from late October to Easter. Some hotels and restaurants are closed for a month or two between November and February. However, during the winter months, especially January through March, you can often get into the open attractions and sights without having to wait in line.

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Getting Downtown Rome

Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO)
Distance: 30km southwest of Rome
Drive time: 45 mins – 1 hour
There are two train services from Fiumicino to the centre of Rome, and the ride takes about 30 minutes. Check at the EPT tourist information counter in the International Arrivals hall or at the train information counter near the tracks to determine which train to take to your destination.

Ciampino (CIA)
Distance: 14km south of downtown.
Drive time: 45 mins
There are no direct train connections from Ciampino to the centre of Rome; however, buses run from the airport to the Anagnina metro station, at the end of line A. The bus ride is about 30 minutes and then it’s another 20 minutes on the train into town.

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Getting Around Rome

Driving a car in the city is not recommended. Traffic is heavy and congested and the locals drive fast and are impatient. Rome's historic centre is manageable on foot and most of it is closed to normal traffic. Bring a pair of comfortable and sturdy walking shoes; there are lots of cobblestones.

Between pedestrian crowds, heavy traffic, and the size of the city, public transportation is a good way to get to different areas. Rome’s public transport system is called Metrebus or Metro. A big red M indicates a subway entrance, and there are stops near most of the main attractions. Trains run from 5:30am until 11.30pm every day, and until 12:30am on Saturdays. Buses and trams are slower but it’s a more scenic ride. They run from 5:30am till midnight. Night buses run from 12:30am to 5:30am, and their stops are marked with an owl. Bus and metro tickets must be purchased before you board.

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Rome Insider Information

  • If you're in Rome in September, don't miss La Notte Bianca ("the white night") when all of Rome stays open until dawn. Most of the museums and galleries have free entry all night long and it's the only chance to see behind the normally closed doors at some public buildings, such as the stunning Palazzo Farnese, home of the French Embassy.
  • On the last Sunday of every month the Vatican Museums have free admission, so you can save €12 if you visit then.
  • And if you're there just to see the Sistine Chapel make sure to get there and join the queue early - at least an hour before the museums open at 8.45am. Once you're inside, sprint all the way to the Sistine Chapel. (To walk round normally and look at all the other works of art would take at least a couple of hours.) If you're lucky, and quick enough, you might get to see it on your own.
  • Rome is the place for shopping. If you're on the hunt for bargains, steer clear of the Via dei Condotti and visit Via del Governo Vechhio and Porta Portese, the weekend market in the Trastevere district. Both are boutiquey and trendy and have second-hand clothes, nick-nacks and junk at reasonable prices.
  • If you want to look Italian, don't order a cappuccino after your meal. Despite being one of Italy's most famous exports, a cappuccino would only be drunk by the Romans at breakfast and never at any other time of the day. No matter how well you speak the language, ordering a cappuccino after supper is a giveaway sign that you're a tourist.

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Rome Airports

Rome - Rome Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport (FCO) Location: The airport is 30km southwest of central Rome. Time Difference: PST+9; EST+6. Contacts: Telephone: +39 06 65 951.

Terminal Transfer: A free shuttle service connects the long-term car park and all three terminals.

City Transfer: An express train departs every hour for Termini Station in the centre of Rome; the trip takes 30 minutes and the fare is around €10. There is a late night bus service to Tiburtina Station. Since October 2006, a fixed rate of €40 is charged for taxis. This includes luggage and is for a maximum of four people, to all destinations within central Rome. Before you leave, make sure the taxi meter is running and only use authorized taxis (white cars with meters). The journey will take 40 to 60 minutes to central Rome.

Car Rental: Car hire companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar and Sixt.

Facilities: Facilities include lounges/travel clubs, left luggage, business services, disabled and First Aid facilities, banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, bars, duty-free shops, restaurants and tourist information.

Car Parking: Short- and long-term parking is available.

Web site:  www.adr.it

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In-flight Reading

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Edward Gibbon, editor David WomersleyEven the single-volume abridged version is still a classic recounting of 13 centuries of the history of Rome and Italy.

The Italian Way

Mario Costantino and Lawrence Gambella Topics, in alphabetical order, about Italian culture covering both daily life and conducting business in Italy.

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Irving Stone Classic biographical novel about Michelangelo as both an artist and a man, the Italian Renaissance, politics, and the Medici family.

Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes

Eamon DuffyA lay person’s papal retrospective of the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, from St. Peter to John Paul II.

I, Claudius

Robert GravesFascinating fictionalization of the lives of the early emperors, from Julius Caesar to Claudius, recounted through Claudius's words.

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Contributors to this guide: Word Travels, World Airport Guide, Cheapflights

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Wordtravels.com

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