I have a 7:00 am flight out of Rome on my return home in late May. You are supposed to at the terminal a couple of hours ahead of that for security and check-in. However, I understand the trains don't start running early enough to support that. Is there another way to get to the terminal from town without an expensive taxi ride? I'm on a tight budget. Thanks for any advice.

rdfarr, I'm struggling with the same issue, but my flight doesn't leave until 9:40. I'm looking for a hotel in the FCO area that has shuttle service to the airport -- haven't come up with one yet, but still looking.

There is a bus from Roma Tiburtana rail station (night service) (via Rome Termini) from 00.30 to 03.45.
Fare: Around EUR€5

I was able to find this page on the airport's website. If you look about 1/2 down, you will see the schedule for yhe night service.

http://www.adr.it/content.asp?Subc=1...&idMen=731

Budman,

Since your flight is at 9:40a, you could catch the airport express train. The first one leaves Termini station at 5:52 and they run every 30 minutes. Tickets are EUR9.50 and the journey takes about 35 minutes.

AAFrequentFlyer, thanks for that advice. I'm still trying to figure out the final 2 days of the trip. We check out of our apt in Montepulciano Saturday, sightseeing on the way back to Rome, spending the night in Tuscania. Heading back toward Rome on Sunday, sightseeing, etc.

I kinda, sorta want to stay away from Rome, staying somewhere with an easy reach Monday morning to FCO to turn in the rental car at 7:00a when they open.

Another option would be turning in the car in Rome, spending Saturday & Sunday night and catching the 5:52 or 6:22.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

you can always catch a cab. the hotel can make sure one is waiting. we did the same thing (7:00 am flight) i think that we left at 4:30 or 5:00 am. the ride is not very long as it is terrifying. i think that for 6 of us it was 60e.

Just an opinion, but I'd turn the car in at the airport the day you arrive. There is a place at FCO where you can store your baggage overnight. Then you could take the cheapest way into the city and enjoy the time in Rome. We did stay in a hotel near the airport, The Cancelli Rossi which was adequate and had a shuttle service to the airport, which you had to pay for. In retrospect, it might have been cheaper to take a cab as there were four of us. If you do decide to stay out near the airport, think of visiting Ostia Antica. It is really an interesting place, particularly if you have nice weather. There is also a beach at Ostia.

Budman,

If price is no object, Hilton Rome Airport. It's the only hotel at the airport. They offer free shuttle to downtown Rome. You could actually drop the car off a day early (save some $), check-in, and still be able to go to town for a day. The travel day will be very easy, no car worries, walk to the terminal.
It's not cheap, but it may work for you. Here is a link to their website:

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/i...tyhocn=ROMAPTW

Yes, price is just a little bit of a consideration. I may look at staying the last 2 nights in Rome and saving on the cost of the rental.