Rome Transportation Question
 

What is the best (budget) form of transportation from Rome Fiumicino airport to Vatican City?

Thanks.

I would say a regional train (5.50E in 2009). It requires changing trains in Trastevere.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...tican-area.cfm

That regional train is now 8€. From FCO take the FR1, not the Leonardo Express. Change at Trastevere to FR5 train (about1€) and get off at S. Pietro station.

Other option is the Sitbusshuttle from FCO to their Piazza Cavour stop instead of the Termini stop (Piazza Cavour is behind Castel Sant'Angelo).
http://www.sitbusshuttle.it/

S. Pietro train station is on one side of Vatican City and Piazza Cavour is on the opposite side so it depends where you want to end up as to which is closest.

Um, if you're coming from the airport what are you going to do with your luggage?

You can't haul a bunch of stuff into St Peter's and if you check luggage (which is required) at the museum you will need to circle all the way back at the end and pick it up again.

I plan to stay 3 nights on a hotel in Vatican City.

Thanks.

There are no hotels in Vatican City.

If you mean a hotel near Vatican City - does that mean near the St Peter's entrance or near the Museum entrance? I have seen hotels that say "near St Peter's" - and all it means is that they are far from the center of Rome - and the closest recognizable spot is the Vatican - which may be miles away.

If you want the best way to get to a hotel I would provide the name and address of the hotel - and ask the best way there.

Luggage being a factor...

For one or two people the cheapest and easiest would be to take the Leonardo Express from the airport to Roma Termini and a metered taxi from there.

For three or more take a metered taxi from the airport directly to your hotel. First check with your hotel. Hotels typically have made arrangements with taxis to transport guests for a reduced, fixed price.

>>>>For one or two people the cheapest and easiest would be to take the Leonardo Express from the airport to Roma Termini and a metered taxi from there.<<<<

A limo booked to pick up at the airport and take to the hotel is only 40€. Training + taxi would cost close to that and the Sitbus would get them much closer to their destination. They could taxi (or walk) from the Sitbus drop at Piazza Cavour.
http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/...t-transfer.php

>>>For three or more take a metered taxi from the airport directly to your hotel. First check with your hotel. Hotels typically have made arrangements with taxis to transport guests for a reduced, fixed price.<<<

Taxis are set fees for Rome's airports to central Rome. 40€ from FCO (soon to increase to 45€) and 35€ from CIA.

Airportshuttle would be a bit cheaper than the limo/taxi options. It's a shared shuttle so may take a bit longer to reach your hotel while they drop other passengers. 26€ + 8€ each additional person.
http://www.airportshuttle.it/

The cheapest way to get close to Vatican City (on the side of Vatican Museums, NOT that of Stazione San Pietro) is to take the FR1 train to Stazione Tuscolana (ticket 8,50€ per person) and there take the A Line subway, direction Battistini, up to Ottaviano or Cipro station. 9,50€ per person. This way you do not have to change in Trastevere for another train, but you will change to subway, whose rides are more frequent.
This way it will also be quicker than any of the shuttle buses available.

Dear nytraveler, as a B&B owner in the area of Vatican Museums, and a lifetime resident in Rome, let me tell you kindly that Vatican City IS in the center of Rome. Of course, many hotels (or B&B's) lie about their real location, naming St. Peter's, whereas they are NOT actually that close, but that is a totally different matter. St. Peter's and Vatican City ARE in the heart of the city. From the side of Vatican Museum entrance, you can walk up to Piazza Navona in 20 minutes, just as an example.