foggy27

We need to catch an early (7:30am) flight from FCO. How can we get to the airport? I suppose it is too early for the express train.

kybourbon

The Leonardo Express doesn't start running until about 5:30 and you will need to be at the airport by then. A taxi is 40€ or you can book a limo for about the same price.
www.romeshuttlelimousine.com

LowCountryIslander

I've used Rome Cabs and although haven't had to get a pick up before 7am, I do know the driver we had both times we used them said she starts as early as 4am taking people to the airport.

Leely2

We had pickup by Rome Cabs at an ungodly hour a few weeks ago. They're very reliable, around the same price as Rome Shuttle Limo mentioned above. I would imagine a regular taxi will pick you up too, although I'd call first.

foggy27

Would it make sense to stay near the airport for our last night in Rome? Can I expect shuttle service that early from hotels near the airport? If so, we could tale Leonardo Expression the day before.

Flame123

It could make a LOT of sense to stay near the airport on your last night. I have now stayed twice at the Hilton Garden Inn Airport location. They do have a shuttle to the terminals which takes about 10 minutes and runs every 30 minutes I think. You have to sign up for it when you check in the day before. The hotel is not cheap but it was worth it for me.

Recently I stayed elsewhere, also near the airport but in a small inn, and was VERY unhappy. Yes it was way cheaper but the place was pretty awful. That said, there are many other places in the same area, i.e. Ostia Antica, etc. which may be better than where I stayed and also close to the airport.

knoxvillecouple

You could stay near the airport the night before. But since cabs/limos are easily available very early in the morning, I'm not sure why you'd want to. And that early in the morning the trip by cab certainly won't take as long since there's no traffic.

Sam

scrb

I guess it would be a choice of dinner and one last evening in Rome vs. dinner at an airport hotel and not having much else to do?

How long does the LE take to get to FCO?

I also have an early flight coming up in April, probably around 7 AM.

Maybe check into an airport hotel and then take the LE into the city to dine and take it back?

But that would only work if the airport hotels were cheaper.

daveesl

Our normal departure times from FCO are always very early and we always spend the last night in the city. We use Rome Shuttle Limousine, and they have been fantastic. Yes, it means getting up at 4 am, but that isn't much different than if you stayed near the airport.

Nlingenfel

We returned last week and we used the Rome Shuttle. Very prompt, very nice van. We were a party of 4 and it was 50 euro. We left our hotel at 6:00 AM.

sandi_travelnut

I've made several 7am flights at FCO and stayed in the city center the night before. Just arrange a cab with the hotel front desk, get there 2 hrs before your flight (even though the ticket counter probably won't open till an hour before your flight) and allow about 30 minutes to the airport (from the city center).

NYCTS

Why care about an express train at that hour? Can you not afford a taxi?

<i><font color=blue>&quot;get there 2 hrs before your flight (even though the ticket counter probably won't open till an hour before your flight)&quot;</font></i>

If you feel like throwing caution to the wind, I would say don't bother getting to FCO two hours before because Sandi is absolutely correct, <b>there will be no one at the ticket counter until one hour before the 7:30 AM flight</b>. Plus, don't expect orderly boarding at the gate. Chances are, one announcement will be made (in Italian first) and the entire horde will try to board at the same time. It won't be chaos but no one will respect a line because there won't be a line. And somehow they manage to get everyone on board and depart (almost) on schedule.

I've taken this early morning flight one too many times and never by choice. Limos and car services are comfortable and fully reliable but your hotel can call a simple taxi and request a minivan if one is needed (too many people, too much luggage). There are plenty of taxi drivers who work the night shift. Traffic to FCO at 6 AM has never been an issue.

kayd

There's no way I'd move from a Rome hotel to one near FCO for one night. Checking out of one, transit in daytime traffic, and checking in to the next would be a complete waste of time better spent in Rome.
The 5:00 am ride in zero traffic is a breeze, and easily arranged.

Coming from Florence or Naples or eslewhere, especially with a car -- that calls for staying near the airport for the last night.

Zerlina

Be aware that flights to the US on all US-based airlines are now processed out of Terminal 5, a former cargo building. You have to take a bus from Terminal 5 to Terminal C to board.

Arriving only an hour before departure would be cutting it very, very fine.

kybourbon

Once you arrive FCO, you have to catch a shuttle bus to get to the check-in area (or at least you did in September). You might not get on the first shuttle bus and have to wait for the next one. You will first be in a long line for screening for passport/boarding pass. Next you get to your lines for your actual airline check-in. After that you get in line for security screening. After that you get to catch another bus to your departure terminal. This process took 2 hours in September.

LowCountryIslander

I had a completely different time &quot;experience&quot; in January than kybourbon did in September.

We arrived at Terminal 5 just before 7:30am and found very few people in the security check point line and the airline (Delta) check-in line. We were on the bus by 8am and at the gate shortly after that.

Goes to show you that you can never know exactly how fast or slow the check-in/security process will go.

foggy27

Thanks for the feedback. We were concerned about the reliablity of taxi at early hour, and it seems unfounded. We will stay in the city certer and enjoy out last night in Rome. By the way, it's a Lafthansa flight for Berlin.

kybourbon

LowCountry - Didn't you have to catch a shuttle bus to arrive at terminal 5?

LowCountryIslander

kybourbon,

No our driver dropped us off right at Terminal 5.

NYCTS

<i><font color=blue>&quot; By the way, it's a Lafthansa flight for Berlin.&quot;</font></i>

Well, that does paint a clearer picture. You definitely won't need a two-hour check-in.

For others reading this thread and per international flights: recent information is always helpful so I'm glad others have chimed in. Checking my records, it's been a few years since I departed Rome for NYC on an American carrier. I'm not aware of any shuttle bus transfers at FCO. If you call your airline, someone ought to know what the deal is. It's much better to be armed with knowledge ahead of time. You can always ask an English speaking cabin attendant before you land in Rome. They're a great resource for the most up-to-date airport information.