How do you get to the Ryanair airport in Rome (say from the center of Rome), how long does it take, and how far in advance of the flight do I need to be there? Going to Paris. Merci

It takes about a half hour to 45 minutes, depending upon the day and time, from the Termini train station area (where many of the busses leave) to Ciampino Airport. You can buy tickets for several of the shuttles at a hotel across from Via Marsala, which is a street bordering Termini where the busses leave. The price is very reasonable, about 8 Euros. The Terravision website is http://www.terravision.it/rome_ciampino.html You can buy vouchers online.

If you're interested in hiring a car, try Airport Shuttle Rome, http://www.tourome.com/pickup.htm
I can't vouch for the car service, but they've been in business for several years, if that means anything.

You do not need to arrive at the airport as early as you would in the States. Again, day and time will make a difference. If you're flying out early in the morning on a Saturday you can get to the airport an hour earlier than your flight.

Having said that, of course, procedures can and do change without warning at all airports. We got to Ciampino about 2 hours before our Ryanair flight left for London, and sat around bored for 1.5 hours. Another day we might have needed the extra time.

Ryanair uses Ciampino. There are coach services from Termini station, which takes about 45min-1hr. (Check Ryanair website for details.) You'll need to get at least 1-1.5hr as check-in tends to take longer (fewer ground staff, lower costs).
BTW, you'll be arriving at Beauvais in Paris, which is at least 1hr by coach to actual Paris.

Ryanair provides information on ground transfer to/from all the airports it serves, on its website. Click on "Destinations".

Best wishes,

Rex

Terravision bus - http://www.terravision.it/rome_ciampino.html

Beauvais has a shuttle to Paris. I did not purchase my ticket ahead of time, and had no problem getting to Paris. Be aware that the shuttle bus drops you off in an area not exatly central, but near a Metro station, so plan ahead how to get where you want to go - that 1-hour bus ride is good for that!

http://tinyurl.com/mypjf

And remember that Ryanair check-in closes 40 minutes before flight time. At Frankfurt-Hahn and Stansted a couple of weekends ago we saw them take people after that time, but there were only a few people left in line and they didn't take anybody new to the line. On our outbound leg the parking shuttle was very late and we barely made it in time.

Thank you all for such wonderful and quick advice!!!