Hello Fodorites. Looking for some guidance on our last night in Rome. Looking for a decent hotel either near the airport (most non-stop Continental flights leave around 10, 10:30AM), or a hotel near the train station. We'll be returning from Naples the night before our departure for US. I'm leaning towards staying in Rome and taking the train or car service early the next morning. How long is the ride to airport (FCO) by private car? by train? This is the last detail (for a while) that I need to take care of and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Helen

Train 35min, it's the new time listed on their website which was 30 & 32min in the past.
Private car: It took 20mins from Termini. But that was 5am on a Sunday, top speed 200km (~125mph) but he did keep it down on the wide boulevards in Rome to ~160km ~93mph .
Hotel Kennedy 3* located on the side of the station, 1 short block away from the side entrance. Actually closer to the Airport Train than the front entrance of the station is.
I've stayed at the Kennedy twice and probably again next March, I believe the website is www.hotelkennedy.net.
Regards, Walter

Hi Helen,

PL has it right. You could take the train, or a cab for about 40E.

We stayed near the airport at the Holiday Inn EUR Parc Medici, which was very nice, but I think next time I would stay in Rome.

I stayed at Hotel Alamandi for my last night near the Vatican museums.They have courtesy pickup or drop off to the airport.( not Sundays)They offer a fantastic full breakfast in the morning.

there is a sheraton connected to the airport. it is literally in the airport! they sometimes have package deals with breakfast and dinner.

Suggest you run a google search on "Hotel Mach 2" and see what you think - 2km from airport. We are planning to overnight there next year

I havent seen a Sheraton at the airport and I have stayed at the Mach 1, which is very basic and in an industrial area. It would be ok if you arrive late and leave early.
I now just stay at the Hilton right at the airport and have their buffet breakfast which is included in some of their specials and leisurely stroll over to the airline gate in the morning. It is a really good deal if you keep checking for specials.

PS: When I come to FCO from Naples I can take my time and leave later from Naples if I know I will be at the airport Hilton and I stop along the way and have dinner then just settle in, repack if I need to for the flight and then get a good nights sleep.

The hotel attached to the airport is a Hilton, not a Sheraton and since we had very early flights in the morning, we stayed there. Before dropping off our rent car we drove the short distance into the town of Fiumicino and had a wonderful dinner, drove back to the airport, returned the rent car and just walked through the airport to the hotel, it was a breeze.

We stayed at the airport Hilton our last night in Italy. We found it to be a lot less stressful than having to get up really early in Rome and then worry about being delayed by heavy traffic. And the fact that it is connected to the airport makes it really convenient.

The Hilton would be a good option because of the proximity and ease; you just walk across a walkway and you are at the airport. Having said that, I would stay in central Rome just to get one last night of the beauty, character and feeling of being in Rome. I like to maximize every single minute I'm in Italy even if it doesn't always make the most sense logistically. I would prearrange a car to pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport...the drive is a breeze really. I guess it depends on your comfort level.

Many thanks to you all for your advice. Hotel Kennedy was not available, but Hotel Alamandi was and I booked it.

Maggy: I took want to get as much of Rome's beauty and charm one last night. Hotel Alamandi has an airport shuttle that starts running at 7:00AM (except Sunday) and that will work fine for our plans.

Again thanks - Sometime in early spring I'll be back with more questions on restaurants, tours, etc.

Until then, I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and a very happy holiday season.

Helen

I think you made the best decision,Helen. Even though I recommended staying at the Hilton, I realize now that you are taking the train back to Rome and to stay that night in Rome by the train station makes much more sense.

I stay at the Hilton when I am driving back into town and want to drop off the car at the airport late and then just stay at the airport.

I hope you have a wonderful trip,let us know!

Just for extra info: We also stayed one night at the Hilton for the ease of departure. They have a free shuttle service that has a set schedule for departures and pick-ups into and out of central Rome. When we checked into our room, we had just missed their bus, so we took the train, 17Euro for 2, into Rome and caught the free hotel shuttle that evening.

Another interesting tidbit: Upon arrival at the airport, we saw a kiosk that said "Hotel Reservations". We asked how much to stay the night at the airport hilton. She said 190E. I thought that if I called the hotel direct that I'd get a better price. Wrong! The hotel reservation gal asked me if I was with a group or agency. I said no and so she said 240E was her absolute best price. So, we went back to the kiosk and booked it for 190E. BTW, the breakfast is unbelievable. Huge!

I agree with the majority of the posters. Airport Hilton! We stayed there last month and were impressed. It is the only hotel right at the airport and was a breeze for our flight out in the morning.

Can anyone give me the web address for the Kennedy & Alamandi Hotels?
Thanks

To GrandmaCarol:

The site for Alimandi is www.alimandi.org, and The Kennedy Hotel can be found under the RomeBy.com site. Click on 3-star hotels and scroll till you find. I don't know if they have their own site. Good luck.

Thanks again to all for your suggestions. I will check on the Airport Hilton based on all of your good reviews and experiences.

Stay with Alamandi! Super place and people.