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How to get from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City

Justine Mellor

Justine is a content specialist and writer who started backpacking the world at 16.

March 27, 2025

There are five main modes of transportation from Rome Airport to Vatican City: a Rome Airport taxi, private transfer, express train, regional train, or bus. The fastest and most convenient choices are to take an airport taxi or Rome Airport transfer, as the journey takes just 30-40 minutes and the services are door-to-door.

If you’d rather take public transport, it is possible to travel by bus. The SIT Bus is a direct shuttle service connecting the airport and the Vatican City and is the cheapest choice.

You can also take one of two train routes, although neither is direct. You can take the Leonardo Express and hop on the metro, or you can take two regional trains to get there. Both options are more expensive than the bus and can take much longer as you’ll have to make at least one change.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Rome at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€60	40min	24/7
SIT Bus Shuttle	€14	45min	07:45–01:15
Leonardo Express + Metro	€31	70min	05:35–22:35
Regional Trains	€16	60min	05:57–23:27
Welcome Airport Transfer	€60	40min	24/7

How to get from Rome Airport to the Vatican City by taxi

Choosing an airport taxi is a great choice as the total journey time is around 40 minutes door-to-door, depending on traffic conditions. They are available 24/7 throughout the year.

Taxis at Rome Airport are easily recognizable as they are lined up at the official taxi ranks and vehicles are white with a black and white taxi roof sign.

Taxi cost from Rome Airport to the Vatican City

As Vatican City is located in the peripheral district of Rome and not in the city center, local taxis generally use taximeters to calculate their fares. Your final fare will be affected by the time of the day, the number of passengers and luggage you are traveling with, and the type of vehicle you have chosen.

Nevertheless, the estimated cost of a taxi from Rome Airport to the Vatican City is between €60 and €85.

*If you wish to get the best service and price available, booking your airport taxi online in advance is highly recommended.

Photos (1)

Cost

€60

Trip Duration

40 Min

*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis at the airport are available 24/7, all year round.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Rome Fiumicino Airport’s taxi rank can be found on the Ground Floor, outside the main arrivals area of Terminals 1 and 3. Once you exit the baggage claim area, you can follow the ‘TAXI’ signs to the taxi ranks. Official taxis are white with a ‘taxi’ sign on the roof and a ‘Comune di Roma’ logo on the side.

Convenience

Traveling from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City by taxi is the most convenient option, as the rides are door-to-door. That means you can skip the stress of dealing with public transport and get to your destination as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Editor’s Note

Good for families or groups after a comfortable, door-to-door ride.

Useful Tips

If you are traveling in a group of 4 people or more, you can all split the overall price, making the taxi option as affordable as most public transportation systems in Rome.

Avoid unlicensed drivers that approach you at the airport exit, as they are not authorized to work at the airport and are known to overcharge travelers.

When you are traveling with a metered taxi, you will be charged a supplement for each item of luggage.

When traveling within the city, make sure that your taximeter reads “Tariffa 1” as this is the correct rate/km for rides within the center of Rome.

It's not expected to tip your taxi driver in Rome. However, if you enjoyed the service, you can round up your fare to the nearest euro.

Taxis in Rome are required to have a POS system for card payments. However, it's important to ask and double-check that they take credit or debit cards as some drivers may not.

How to get from Rome Airport to the Vatican City by bus

SIT Bus Shuttles provides the only direct bus line from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City. The service departs from Terminal 3 at least once an hour, taking approximately 45 minutes to reach “Roma Vaticano (Via Crescenzio)” via “Circonvallazione Aurelia.”

The line starts at Fiumicino City and takes 45 minutes to reach FCO Airport. From the airport, the next stops are Circonvallazione Aurelia (30 minutes), Vatican City (45 minutes), and Roma Termini (1 hour).

How much is the bus from Rome Airport to the Vatican City?

The cost of the bus from Rome Airport to Vatican City is €7 for a single and €13 for a return. You should arrive 15 minutes before the departure time in order to validate your ticket.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance, from the ticket booths at the airport, or from the driver on the bus. You can also get tickets from staff members at the bus stop.

*There is a €1 surcharge if you buy your ticket at the bus stop or from the driver.

Photos (1)

Cost

€7

Trip Duration

45 Min

The SIT Bus Shuttle leaves every 25-45 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The SIT Bus departing from FCO Airport runs from 07:45 until 01:15.

Where do I get the bus from?

The bus station at Fiumicino Airport is located just outside Terminal 3, on the west side. All the terminals connect at FCO Airport, meaning you do not need to exit the building until you reach the bus station.

Simply leave the arrivals area from exit 6 and follow the signs to the bus stands. The SIT bus departs from bus stop 12.

You will disembark at “Roma Vaticano (Via Crescenzio),” which is a 5-minute walk from the Vatican.

Convenience

The cheapest travel option is taking the bus from Fiumicino Airport to the Vatican. It is also more convenient than taking the train as the route is direct. However, the Sit Bus Shuttle can get overcrowded during peak season, so you may have to wait in line for a while. Plus, if you have lots of luggage, you may struggle to find space for it all.

Timetables

SIT Bus Timetable

Rome FCO Airport - Vatican City

Editor’s Note

Suitable for travelers on a budget.

Useful Tips

If you miss your bus, your ticket is still valid for any other journey departing from the airport on the same day.

There have been cases of petty theft and pickpockets during bus trips in Rome; it is highly recommended to keep your personal belongings closely by your side when using public transportation.

If you purchase your bus tickets directly from the bus driver, you may only pay by cash and in euros. However, you can pay by debit/credit cards at the ticket machines and ticket counters at the airport.

Kids under 4 years old travel for free.

You can bring one piece of luggage free of charge, regardless of size and weight. You can also bring one backpack on the bus with you.

The bus has air-conditioning, free WiFi, and USB outlets.

Online bookings can be made up to 2 hours before departure.

How to get from Rome FCO Airport to Vatican City by train

Unfortunately, there are no direct train lines connecting Rome Fiumicino Airport to the Vatican City. This means you’ll need to take a train and then the metro. All in all, the journey from the airport to the Vatican takes just over an hour.

First, you’ll need to catch the Leonardo Express from the airport train station to “Termini Station.” The service is non-stop, taking exactly 32 minutes to reach the center.

At Termini, you can jump on Line A towards Battistini and get off at “Ottaviano – San Pietro Station,” the closest station to the Vatican.

How much is the train from Rome Airport to the Vatican City?

The Leonardo Express train from FCO Airport to Roma Termini costs €14 for a one-way ticket and €28 for a return. Likewise, you’ll pay €1.50 for your BIT metro ticket, valid for 100 minutes on public transport.

In total, the cost of the train from Rome Airport to Vatican City is €15.50.

You can buy your Leonardo Express ticket online in advance from the Trenitalia website, from the ticket machines at the airport, or from the counters at the train station.

You can use the counters or machines at the train station to get metro tickets.

Photos (2)

Cost

€15.50

Trip Duration

70 Min

The Leonardo Express departs every 15-30 minutes. The metro departs every 3-9 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The Leonardo Express runs from Roma Termini from 05:35 until 22:35 and from Fiumicino Airport between 06:23 and 23:23. The Rome metro system runs every day from 05:30 to 23:30 (and 01:30 on Saturdays).

Where do I get the express train from?

The train station at Rome Fiumicino is located outside Terminal 3. The “TRENI” signs will direct you to the station, taking approximately 10-15 minutes on foot.

Once you arrive at the station, check the monitors and head to the correct platform. The Leonardo Express usually departs from platforms 23 or 24.

As you disembark your train at Termini Station, you will need to follow the signs to metro Line A in the direction of “Battistini.”

Convenience

The train is certainly the most comfortable way to travel if using public transportation, as there is plenty of personal space and storage for your luggage. However, it is a non-direct option and can take well over an hour to reach your final destination, not to mention the direct bus is much cheaper.

Timetables

Trenitalia Journey Planner

Leonardo Express Information

Editor’s Note

Great if you're after the quickest mode of public transport.

Useful Tips

If you board a Leonardo Express train before your boarding time, you can be fined by train inspectors. You should always board the train as indicated on your train ticket.

It is recommended to book your train ticket in advance, as this allows you to chose your seat.

There is only one ticket class for the Leonardo Express trains (1st class).

For each paying adult, one child between 4 and 12 years of age can travel for free, whilst kids under the age of 4 travel for free regardless.

You can only use a BIT ticket for one journey on the metro or train.

For passengers with a disability or reduced mobility, Leonardo Express is equipped with dedicated seating and restrooms.

Make sure that you validate your tickets at the designed validation machines, after validation the tickets are valid for 90 minutes.

How to get from Rome Fiumicino to the Vatican City

You can also take the regional trains from Rome Airport to Vatican City. However, this route requires a change to another train line.

You will first have to get on the FL1 regional line, which connects the airport to several stations across Rome’s center, including Trastevere (27 minutes), Ostiense Station (34 minutes), Roma Tuscolana (41 minutes), and Roma Tiburtina (48 minutes).

The best route is via Ostiense or Trastevere, although Ostiense Station is a little closer to the Vatican City.

Luckily, regional trains heading toward the Vatican regularly depart from both Ostiense and Trastevere Station. So, for the second leg of your trip, you need to hop on another regional train to “Rome Saint-Pierre,” which is a 10-15 minute walk from the Vatican. The trains from either station take around 5-10 minutes to reach Saint Pierre.

How much is the train from Rome Airport to the Vatican?

The cost of a single adult ticket on the regional trains is usually about €8. You can use it for the duration of your trip, including the change to another regional train, as long as you don’t exit the station through the turnstiles between the two services.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance, at the automated machines in the airport, or from the counters at the train station.

Photos (1)

Cost

€8

Trip Duration

60 Min

The FL1 departs every 15 minutes during the week, and every 30 minutes on Sundays and public holidays. Other regional lines also depart every 15-30 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The regional trains operate between 05:57 and 23:27, excluding Sundays when the service stops at 00:27.

Where do I get the regional train from?

Fiumicino Airport Train Station is located next to Terminal 3. Just exit Arrivals, follow the “Exit/Uscita” signs, and then the “TRENI” signs to the station. The walk shouldn’t take more than 10-15 minutes.

Upon arriving at the station, check the monitors to see which platform your train is departing from. And don’t forget to validate your ticket using the machines on the platform.

Convenience

The regional trains are the most affordable rail service but they get very crowded during rush hours as they are used regularly by local commuters. Plus, the lack of luggage storage also makes it less convenient than the express service.

Timetables

FL1 Line Information

Fiumicino Airport to city center

Trenitalia Journey Planner

Regional trains

Editor’s Note

Useful if you're staying in the surrounding area of the Vatican City due to multiple stops and connections to train stations.

Useful Tips

Excluding online tickets, all tickets must be validated using the green machines on the platform.

Children up to 4 years of age travel for free, while each paying adult can travel with a kid aged 4 to 12 without having to purchase an extra ticket.

You can also buy regional train tickets from authorized newsagents, tobacco shops, and travel agencies.

Tickets for the regional trains are not valid for use on other modes of transportation. So if you need to take the metro, you'll have to buy a separate ticket.

There is no luggage storage on the regional trains.

How to get from Rome Fiumicino Airport to the Vatican City by private transfer

The best way to get from Rome Airport to the Vatican City is by private transfer. Largely because these services allow you to skip the taxi waiting line and secure a personalized service. Private transfers, such as Welcome Pickups’ services, are specifically designed with travelers in mind and offer plenty of extras to make your travels as stress-free as possible:

Meet and greets
Trained English-speaking drivers
Flight monitoring
Guaranteed fixed fares
24/7 customer support

How much is a private transfer from Rome FCO Airport to the Vatican City?

The best thing about booking a private transfer from Rome Airport is receiving a fixed quote in advance. So, instead of relying on the taximeter, you can book and pay for your transfer before you get to the airport and avoid hidden fees.

That said, a private transfer from FCO Airport to the Vatican City starts at €60 in one of our modern sedans. Likewise, if you’re traveling in a group of up to 8, you’ll pay €81 for a minivan transfer.

You can book via our website or app within minutes. Simply enter your details, flight number, and pickup time to secure a quote. The quote you receive is fixed, includes all surcharges, and is not subject to change. So even if you get stuck in traffic, you won’t pay a cent extra.

Photos (2)

Cost

€60

Trip Duration

40 Min

Booking your private transfer in advance is the best way to ensure a seamless experience.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Private transfers are available 24/7 from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).

Where do I get my private transfer from?

Instead of searching for the taxi rank and joining the queue, your friendly English-speaking driver will be waiting for you at Arrivals holding a sign with your name on it. That way, there’s absolutely no chance you’ll miss them. Next, your driver will help you with your luggage and lead you to your pre-selected vehicle.

Convenience

Opting for a Rome Airport private transfer offers more convenience and flexibility. They are known to be more reliable and offer fully personalized services with plenty of extras. Especially popular amongst families and business travelers, private transfers are a great way to save time and secure a trained, English-speaking driver with plenty of local knowledge to share.

Editor’s Note

Perfect for families and business travelers after a seamless experience.

Useful Tips

We recommend setting the pickup time to 20-30 minutes after the landing time to leave enough time to clear passport control and baggage claim.

Sedans can seat up to 3 passengers and minivans can take up to 8.

You do not have to tip your Rome Airport taxi driver, however, you can always add a tip via the app if you really appreciate the service.

You will receive an email with your driver's name, details, and vehicle information so that you know what to expect on the day.

If you need a child booster or baby seat, you can request one during the booking process online or using the app.

If your flight is delayed, there's no need to worry as our drivers receive live updates on delayed flights. So no matter what time you land, they will be there waiting.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Rome. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€48

NIGHTTIME

€53

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Frequently asked questions

Which airport in Rome is closest to the Vatican City?

Rome Ciampino Airport is the closest airport to the Vatican City. It is situated approximately 20 km away, taking approximately 20 minutes by road.

How much is a taxi from Rome Airport to the Vatican City?

The average Rome Airport to Vatican City taxi fare is around €60. Factors such as the time of day and type of vehicle can further affect the taxi fare. For a competitive fixed fare with no hidden fees and an English-speaking driver you can rely on, we recommend pre-booking a Rome Airport taxi with Welcome Pickups.

How much is the train from Fiumicino Airport to the Vatican City?

If you’re traveling from FCO to Vatican City by train, there are two routes. Taking the regional trains will cost you €8, whereas a one-way Leonardo Airport Express train ticket costs €14. You’ll also need to pay an extra €1.50 for the metro if you decide to take the express train.

How far is Fiumicino Airport to the Vatican City?

Rome Fiumicino Airport is approximately 30 km from Vatican City and takes around 30-40 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions.

Justine Mellor

Justine is a content specialist and writer who started backpacking the world at 16 and has lived in three countries. With roots in the travel industry and a taste for the road less traveled, she seeks out places with soul—where the food’s loud, the music’s local, and the culture runs deep.

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