I have a reservation with Rome Shuttle to be picked up at our apartment near Piaza Navona to go to FCO airport. When I ask them for a recommended time to be picked up, their answer is whenever I want, but that it takes 45 minutes to get there. I asked them to pick us up at 8:00 for our 11:10 flight and they don't pick up other parties on the way. We're leaving on a Friday morning in July. Would you allow more time or would you feel comfortable with that timing? Do I need more time since it is probably rush hour or are we good?

Thanks!

If you are traveling international back to the states and it is during the summer, I would probably say yes.The traffic going to FCO should be good at 8am but sometimes the problem is the checking in at terminal 5,going through security and then being in the shuttlebus back to terminal C with the summertime crowds?
Do you want to catch a last minute coffee and sandwich,check out the dutyfree store,etc.? Then I might add on 15-30 minutes earlier just in case?
That said,if you can do online checkin that will save alot of time and hassle as you just throw your bags to the respective airline and answer the security questions.

WE left at 8:15 for a 11:00 am flight and it was more than sufficient. Be aware that not all US flights are handled out of Terminal 5 - but that the taxi drivers refuse to drop you off anywhere but there - so if yours is actually out of Terminal 3 (as ours was) you have to take the shuttle bus back. We talked to several others who indicated the same thing - they must have scared the poop out of the taxi drivers not to let you off anywhere but Terminal 5!

OK - no plans for duty free or eating (unless we have time to kill )- we'll keep it at 8 - thanks.
We are using a shuttle so I'll be sure to figure out which terminal ahead of time - maybe he'll take us directly there.

I would check with your airline as to exactly what time they want you to check in. Some require that you be there 3 hours in advance for international flights - so 8 am would be way too late to be picked up.

The checkin lines for Rome flights back to the states in the summer are ALWAYS long although since they moved to the new terminal for checkin it has gotten better.

Wow - I never heard of 3 hour check-in times. I'll definitely call the airline. Thanks for the advice!

Just look at their website. I know Delta suggests 3 hours followed by a list of cities with different hours.

Security Check-in Requirements for International Travel To/From Non-U.S. Cities

The recommended arrival time at the airport prior to departure of International Flights is 3 hours. When traveling to/from a destination outside the United States, you must be checked in at least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure time. This minimum requirement applies to all customers checking-in, with or without baggage. Customers who fail to complete the check-in procedures by these deadlines will not be able to travel on desired flights and change fees may apply.

No airline will take your luggage for an international flight if it is less than an hour.They start doing weight and balance,clearing standbys,security lists,etc.in the hour before takeoff and most airlines start boarding international flights around 45-50 minutes before departure.

<<WE left at 8:15 for a 11:00 am flight and it was more than sufficient. Be aware that not all US flights are handled out of Terminal 5 >>

Just a clarification - ALL passengers departing FCO on "US-Flagged" flights (USA airlines like Delta, US Air, Continental, American, United, etc,) are **required** to check-in at Terminal 5 (also for Israeli planes). If you are flying Alitalia, British Air, etc., back to the States you would NOT go to T5. If you are connecting in AMS, CDG, FRA, etc., then you also would NOT go to T5.

Terminal 5 is for US flagged planes who's next stop is a USA airport. For pictures and maps, see this: http://tinyurl.com/terminal5-fco

rineurope - what you say is correct - but my main point was that if taxi/bus drivers find out your destination is the US - they will not leave you at any other terminal other than terminal 5 - we (and many others) had to shuttle back to terminal 3....its like they have been forbidden to take any US passengers there.

I just took an 11:10 flight out of Rome this past Saturday, albeit with a different car service. The driver picked us from our Campo dei Fiori apartment at 8:30, but as I was running late, we probably did not depart until 8:45. We were at Terminal 5 by 9:15. 2 hours was the recommended time for this United flight, and we had plenty of time for everything. The only thing that was a little pressed was trying to get a bit of breakfast once we got near the gates -- the cafes were jam packed! (Definitely don't stop at the first one you see, keep walking!). But even then, we still had time for a coffee and a pastry.

I can't say if our experience was typical or not, but there you have it. I suspect the time needed to go to the airport varies a lot by time of day. The owner of our apartment told us that Saturday mornings in the summer can get crowded because of traffic to the beach, but that such traffic does not start until later in the morning, and at 8:30 we would be fine. He was right. Good luck!

Whoops, just saw that you are going on Friday. Given that there is bound to be rush hour traffic on weekdays, I would say 45 mins sounds about right.