Darn that Goofy!

I am still making my flight arrangements for my Italy trip in November. Please bear with me, I am sure that once I have the airline reservations all else will just fall into place. (Right now my beloved sis-in-law, she is in the travel biz, is checking out some fares for me.)

Here's the question for the Fodorites:
Leaving Rome to return to Miami, the vast majority of flights leave at an ungodly early hour--like seven o'clock in the morning. What a hideous way to end a vacation.

Having read about transit strikes, traffic, and other perils, what is the best way to get to the airport in time?

Assume I will be staying in a popular tourist area. I have read references to pre-arranged private cars, arranged thru one's hotel. Is that very costly?

What has worked for you?

Thank you in advance.

Olive Oil

We've been to Rome three times, and always had a very early flight out. We usually arrange with our hotel to call a cab and have it waiting for us in the morning. The price has been about 50 euros. We usually have the cab pick us up at 5:00 or 5:30 for the 7:30 flight home. Traffic in Rome at that hour is practically non-existent, and you should be at the airport within about 20 minutes to half an hour.

Tracy

I used Rome Cabs for transfers both into and out of the city. Stefano was very prompt and efficient.

http://www.utenti.lycos.it/romecabs/

I forgot to add that we had to leave our apartment at 4:30 a.m. on the morning of departure and he was already waiting outside for us.

My experience has been similar to Tracy's. I had to be at the FCO airport one morning at 5am to catch an early morning flight out to Milan. It was the day of a train strike, and I wanted to make certain I didn't get bumped off the flight. I had no problems whatsoever, and traffic is indeed very light, even given the train strike.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

I would also say that our experience has been that of Tracy's. Last month we had an 8 am flight to London and then back to Los Angeles. Had limoservicerome pick up at 5:30 at our hotel in Trastevere. It was an ungodly hour, to be sure, but it was a short ride to FCO, and it gave us a last night in Rome, and a last great meal. It was in no way the worst way to end the vacation - the airport was less crowded, or so it seemed and check-in and security was very smooth.

www.limoservicerome.it

The car cost @ 50 E and was well worth it since we carrying home our daugher's extra bags as well. We have used this car service twice in the last year - this is the way I would do it again.

Marcia

Thank you all for the prompt and detailed replies. Very reassuring.

I will continue to look for a flight at a more reasonable hour but if the 7 a.m. departure is in the cards I'm glad to see it's doable!