6 hr layover in Rome - possible to visit city?
 

We arrive at FCO from the states at 7:55 am. Our flight to Cairo leaves at 2:40. Will we have enough time to get out of the airport and see, however briefly, a bit of Rome? I do not know what terminals we will arrive in or depart - arr United, leave w/Egypt air. The bags will be checked through (hope that's not a mistake...)

I am really excited about this little bonus - I hope we can work something out. If we just end up sitting there (ugghh! :( ), do you, the Italy experts, have any recommendations for where to eat, or what to do in and around the airport?

don't know if it makes a difference, but we'll be there December 22.

I have only visited Rome once, but just from my experience as a general traveller, I would be reluctant to go into a city with less then 7 hours. Especially one like Rome which is BIG.

Still, sounds like you are not as anal and scared of missing flights as me and going into Rome, even for a few hours would be FABULOUS (much better then sitting at an airport) so GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

Find out from the airline when you have to be back, and how long security lines will be expected to be, to figure out when you should be back to the airport.

You could also choose to visit a smaller town near the airport, but I don't know those.

I'd suggest taking the Leonardo Express to Termini. Then take the metro from Termini to Barberini. Then you could do something like this.

With a good map, start walking to the Trevi fountain. Then walk to the Pantheon, and then to Piazza Navona. Maybe you'll want to walk into Trastevere or to the Colosseum. From the Colosseum, you could take the metro back to Termini and then take the Leonardo Express. At some point you could get lunch, but if you get a full sit-down meal it will take up a lot of valuable walking time.

I'm sure some people would recommend taxis, but I think public transit can be quite efficient in this case.

Assuming that you really want to get to Cairo and your planes are on time, I would forgo the side trip to Rome and cool heels at the airport.

The train ride into the city takes about an hour each way, and the delay caused by immigration as a non-EU traveler will eat up another chunk of time. You will also undoubtedly spend some time waiting for either or both trains to depart.

If you do go into the city, you will spend some more time getting out of Termini before you can actually get to someplace that will make you say that you have visited Rome.

Probably better to read a book, or catch up on some lost sleep during the flight to FCO.

I've been told by my hotel in Rome that trains from Fiumicino take abt 30 mins and run every 30 mins too. That should give you some idea of how long to allow. Allowing an hour added on to ETA that's 9am, another hour to get to central Rome, you might just about have 1 hr in Rome. Is it worth it??

I agree that a trip to rome will be high anxiety, especially during the Christmas holidays, and with the security requirements that are imposed on travel to non-euro countries.

A nice break might be to go to the seaport in Fiumicino (town where Leo da Vinci airport is). Visit the fish port, get a nice meal. It is a good time to do this because everyone in Italy eats a fish meal on 24 Dec. so it should be hopping. They fish 50 of the 500 types of fish in the Mediterranean, and I bet you will be able to many of them that day.

The town is actually charming and working class, and doesn't have the tourist fa-la-la time wasting lines.

Re: town of fiumicino

...a cab ride there will cost no more than E10. Arrange with driver to pick you up at a specified place at a specified time.

I've been to Rome 3 times and I personally would go into the city. I have been to Rome in December and I don't recall the crowds at the airport being that bad. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time once you return to the airport and play it by ear. If your flight is late or the lines are long then simply stay put.

You won't have a lot of time, but with 2-3 hours you could do a nice walk that includes the Colosseum, Forum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and the Spanish Steps. Yes, Rome is large, but the historic center is fairly compact. You won't have time to do much accept for walking around, but the walk will offer some excellent photo ops. You also won't have time for a long sit-down lunch, as mentioned above, but you could easily grab a piece of pizza or panini and be on your way.

Tracy

Thanks to all for your help!

How far is Fiumicino from the airport? And, I guess taxis are pretty easy to get right outside?

I was thinking that a little trip there would be fun. We are a group of 7, parents and kids (older kids, but still there will be some chaos) and I would like to minimize the stress factor, especially with little sleep after a long plane ride from IAD. The family has never been to Italy, so a slice and a gelato in a cafe would be wonderful no matter where in Italy.

I guess I will have to check at the Egypt Air desk to see when to return.

Think about this...you get in at 8am, out of airport by 9, should be back by 1:30 (bags are already checked through). That gives you 4-4.5 hours.

Contact someone like Rome Shuttle Limosine, find out what it would cost for a 3-4hour quicky tour.

You could see the Colosseum (outside), Forum, Campidoglio, Pantheon, Trevi. You might even be able to squeeze in a drive by of the Vatican.

Another idea is to take a cab to Ostia Antica and spend a few hours among the ruins, cab back.

Is this your first trip to/through Rome? If so, why waste it in an airport?

dave

If you attempt a trip into Rome with that many people, I would book a van to move you from place to place together. It would be unfortunate to be separated and have part of your group run into difficulties returning to the airport.