• Nothing Found

Layover in Rome FCO Airport

Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO), also known as Rome Fiumicino Airport, has two terminals in operation: Terminals 1 and 3. Terminal 1 is the home base for ITA Airways and handles domestic and Schengen Area flights from Boarding Area A. Primarily handling international flights outside of the Schengen Zone, Terminal 3 is the largest of the two, featuring Boarding Area E. Located just 30-40 minutes from the city center, there are plenty of Rome Fiumicino Airport layover activities to keep you entertained while you wait. Whether you choose to experience luxurious lounges or check in for a short hotel stay, or you go on a food tour of Italy from within the airport, there’s something to suit everyone.

Things to do at the airport

There are plenty of Fiumicino Airport layover activities to keep you entertained during your stay, however brief or long. With a 4-hour layover in Rome, you can check out the range of beauty, fashion, and electronic stores on offer, including Adidas, Fendi, Bulgari, and Valentino – not to mention the duty-free shopping.  Afterwards, you can grab a bite to eat and a drink at Italian eateries such as Bongustare Market, and Eataly Wine Bar, or fast food restaurants like Viva and KFC. If needed, there are also a couple of pharmacies, located in Terminal 1 (Level 1) and Terminal 3 (Level 2). Rome Airport is a family-friendly transport hub. Some of the services they provide include free strollers for arriving and departing passengers, nurseries that are kitted out with cots and changing tables, and there is a designated play area for children in the Baggage Claim area of Terminals 1 and 3, and near Gates A27/A40/A44/A78 and E41-E42. Bonus amenities at Rome Airport include a free powerbank rental service, allowing you to borrow from 28 stations throughout the airport, an ideal solution for business travelers who need to get some work done during their transit. Finally, if you’re looking for a unique way to spend a layover in Rome Airport, you can visit the live radio station, OnAirport, in Terminal 1. Layover in the airport

Hotels and Lounges at Rome Airport

For passengers with an overnight layover in Rome, getting a proper night’s sleep may be your priority. An airport hotel can be a perfect antidote for feeling tired and jet-lagged on long-haul flights, and thankfully, there are a couple of nearby hotels to choose from. The Hilton Hotel can be reached on foot in just 10 minutes via an undercover walkway, while the Hilton Garden Inn offers a complimentary 10-minute shuttle to and from each terminal.  If you just want to freshen up with a shower, you can use the pay-to-use showers just after Security in both terminals, or you can book a timeslot at the Hello Sky Air Rooms & Lounge, where short-term stays of 3,6, or 9 hours can also be arranged. Since each of the hotels mentioned is on the landside of the airport, they may not be suitable for all passengers.  Alternatively, you can relax in comfort at one of the paid premium lounges, a great option for anyone with a 6-hour layover in Rome who doesn’t quite have enough time to reach the city center. Primeclass lounges are available in each boarding area, with prices starting from €25.00 for up to three hours. Here you can enjoy complimentary food and beverages, comfortable seating areas, private workstations and charging areas, free WiFi, entertainment, and in some cases, a hot shower.

Layover in Rome: What to do during your stopover

Have a 7-hour layover in Rome? You’re in luck! Take the cruisy 32-minute Leonardo Express Train to Termini Station from Terminal 3, or grab a 40-minute taxi or a pre-booked Rome Airport transfer to the heart of Rome, where you can explore amazing sights on foot or by local train.  Wander through Piazza Navona and visit the Pantheon before walking along Via del Corso up to Piazza Venezia and the impressive Colosseum. If you have an 8-hour layover in Rome, you might like to plan a visit to the Vatican, but be sure to arrange all of your tickets in advance, with a skip-the-line option if possible.  If you can’t decide, you can have Welcome Pickups make all of the arrangements for you. Our layover tours in Rome range from 1 to 13 hours, with stops at exciting destinations such as the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Spanish Steps, or you could embark on a day trip to dreamy locations like Pisa, Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast.  And since Rome is as beautiful by night as it is by day, we even offer a Rome by Night tour so that you never need to miss out. Welcome can arrange your return transfer to the city and back, all for the same price as a standard taxi. Included in this will be your own personal driver and a bespoke Welcome pack! *Always plan accordingly based on your layover times.

Tips for a Short Layover at Rome Airport

    • Take a nap at HelloSky or relax in an airport lounge with a buffet service.
    • Use the free high-speed Wi-Fi to check flight updates, download entertainment, or sort your onward travel plans.
    • There is a smoking area located in the E Gates boarding area.
    • The Tax Free Mall is a huge 10,000 square metre shopping area available to international passengers (non-Schengen) in boarding area E.
    • Several food outlets are open 24/7, on both the airside and landside.
  • Grab some delicious Italian gelato from Eataly before boarding your flight.

Tips for a Long Layover in Rome

    • If you don’t quite have enough time to leave the airport, book a room at a nearby hotel, such as the Hilton Hotel, which includes a gym and a 24-hour restaurant.
    • If you’ve got a 7-8 hour layover, you can easily catch the Leonardo Express Rome Airport Shuttle or take a taxi into Rome city center. Plan each step of your layover and consider the heat when selecting activities.
    • For stress-free travel around some of Rome’s most famous sights, you can book sightseeing rides for 1-4 people with Welcome Pickups.
    • Luggage storage is available in the Arrivals of Terminal 3, leaving you to explore the city hassle-free.

Flight connections

Visa Required: Certain nationalities may require a transit or short-stay Schengen visa. Average Flight Connection Time: The travel time between gates within the same terminal is just a few minutes, and you can walk from T1 to T3 in under 10 minutes. International passengers with their luggage checked through to their final destination should allow 1 hour to clear Security and Passport Control. Minimum Time Needed to Leave the Airport: 7-8 hours How you transit through Rome Fiumicino Airport will depend on where you have arrived from and your final destination. Here are each of the scenarios you may encounter:
  • Traveling from one Schengen country to another: You will land and depart from Terminal 1 (Boarding Area A); there is no need to clear Passport Control or Security, simply head to your next gate. This also applies to domestic flights.
  • Traveling from a Schengen country to a non-Schengen country: You will need to clear Passport Control.
  • Traveling from a non-Schengen country to a Schengen country: You will need to clear Security and Passport Control as you make your way from Boarding Area E (Terminal 3) to Boarding Area A.
  • Traveling from one non-Schengen country to another: You will land and depart from Boarding Area E; there is no need to clear Passport Control or Security, simply head to your next gate.
In all cases, if your connecting flights have been booked as separate tickets, you’ll need to collect your luggage, complete all necessary Rome Airport Departures procedures, and allow at least 2 hours between flights. For citizens of countries within the EU or those exempt from the Schengen visa requirement, you can simply present your passport upon arrival. Otherwise, you may need to apply for an Italian Airport Transit Visa (A-visa).
Was this helpful?
ferryhopper_panoramic-view_port

Ferryhopper connection from Civitavecchia Port to Porto Torres, Sardinia

  • Plan your single trip or island hopping journey for over 160 destinations
  • Find all ferry schedules including direct & indirect connections between islands
  • Book your ferry tickets at the lowest price, with no hidden fees or extra costs

Book Online