Ciampino airport is small and in convenient proximity to Rome’s city centre. Therefore, it can become very busy and congested, so it’s important to be organised for a smooth transition onwards. It is a single, one-storey terminal building which incorporates both Arrivals and Departures. This guide will provide all the key information you need for the airport.
Arriving at Ciampino Airport
When you arrive into Ciampino, you will either walk from the aeroplane to the arrivals facility or be taken via shuttle bus. As expected, signs are in Italian and English. The majority of flights to Ciampino are from the EU/Schengen area countries. Therefore, passport control is often a quick experience, despite the potentially large number of passengers in the queues. Non-Schengen area passengers will have to fill out an immigration form.
Past security, the baggage reclaim hall includes 4 baggage carousels, lost & found and an ATM. Beyond declarations, you can find a small restaurant: Piazza Di Roma Autogrill, a tourist information centre, bus tickets and a tour operator counter. There is also a currency exchange bureau here, but prices can be very high due to the captive market. As such, you may want to find alternative ways to secure your necessary money.
The arrivals area is open throughout the night as well, including the restaurant, if you are hungry. It is a good resting spot if you are planning a stay overnight, however, the seating is limited. Other services to pass the time here include access to free wi-fi from throughout the airport. There are also many charging points for your devices. ACE car rental is located just outside.
Departing from the Airport
The departure lounge features a total of 31 check-in counters and 16 gates. Check-in can get very busy, so it’s highly recommended to arrive with plenty of time. From the centre of the lounge, you will find a waiting area and an information point. Before security, there are some shops for last minute items such as a pharmacy, two gift shops, leather goods and a tobacco outlet. If you’re hungry you can grab a coffee and tasty Nutella-based snack at Rossosapore or Moka.
Passing security at departures will be similar to arrivals. Queues can be long due to lack of space, but they tend to flow quickly. From within the airside zone, you will find a duty-free gift store and another small cafe. Here there are more charging points. After security, you will find separate smoking booths to smoke in.
Transfer from the Airport
If you have an overnight layover, and staying at the airport is not your thing, you could stay at a hotel near the airport. There are a few hotels in the town centre near the train station, which is 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the airport. Hotels include Hotel Villa Giulia, Ciampino Hotel, Central Station Inn, Hotel Laura & Casa Lollobrigida. Before arriving and considering your departure, you also need to think about your transport options.
Welcome Pickups
For the most comfortable and inclusive whole package transfer, there is us at Welcome. For the same price as the legal taxi rate (€44), we go the extra mile in getting you to your destination within the Aurelian Walls. You will be warmly greeted by a local, English speaking taxi driver, carefully selected by us. You will proceed to be transferred with all the added perks and comforts of a Welcome taxi.
Train
There is a shuttle bus service which runs every half an hour to the local train station. From there you can catch the light rail train to Rome’s Termini station. This is the cheapest option but can involve waiting times.
Coach
A number of coach options from the airport to Roma Termini including SIT, Terravision, Romeairportbus & Atral. Tickets can either be pre-booked online or purchased at the arrivals hall. Journey frequency may vary, depending on season and company.
Car hire
This is also an option, especially if you are staying for longer or intend to travel. However, Rome can have difficult traffic conditions. If you are not used to the roads, driving yourself could be a stressful experience.
No matter how you plan to start your trip, you can be sure to enjoy yourself in Rome. Start things off smoothly with a simple and easy transfer through Ciampino.
