What are the estimated price per person and the travel time when taking a bus from Rome Airport to Termini Station?

When taking the bus, the one-way fare per person is approximately ~$7-10, and it takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour. Buses operate every 20 minutes.

What is the estimated price per vehicle for the Rome Airport pick-up and drop-off service, and what were the conditions the author booked under?

The airport pick-up and drop-off service costs approximately ~$92 to ~$132 per vehicle. The author booked a standard vehicle for around ~$86, based on two pieces of luggage (28-inch and 24-inch suitcases).

What are the price per person, travel time, and the time it takes to get from Terminal 3 to the boarding gate for the Leonardo Express?

The Leonardo Express costs 14 EUR per person and takes approximately 40 minutes. It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk from Terminal 3 to the boarding gate, following the 'TRAIN' signs.

What was the main reason the author chose the train (Leonardo Express) over the bus for traveling from Rome Airport to Termini Station?

The author chose the train (Leonardo Express) over the bus because they believed the train, being a direct service from the airport to Termini Station, posed a lower risk of pickpocketing.

Rome Airport to Termini 2026: Train, Bus, or Transfer?

How to Get from Rome Airport to Termini Station

Pros, Cons, and Booking Tips for Buses, Private Transfers, and Trains

Traveling from Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Rome's central Termini Station

usually takes a comfortable hour, depending on your choice of transport!

While both the train and bus networks are well-organized and easy to navigate,

my biggest concern was dealing with Italy's somewhat notorious pickpockets ^.^

After weighing my options, I decided I was willing to spend a little extra

for peace of mind and a lower risk of losing my belongings!

Airport > City: Leonardo Express Train

City > Airport: Private Transfer Service

I've detailed the three main transportation methods below, along with booking links.

If you're planning a trip to Rome in 2026, definitely save this guide :)

Table of Contents
1	Taking the Bus
2	Private Car: Airport Transfer
3	Taking the Train: Leonardo Express
4	Final Summary

1. Taking the Bus

If sticking to a strict budget is your top priority,

the shuttle bus is hands down your best option!

Airport Shuttle Bus

Price: ~$8 - ~$12 one-way per person (varies by company)

Travel Time: Approx. 50-60 minutes

Frequency: Every 20 minutes

Pros: Very budget-friendly

Cons: Occasional reports of pickpockets on board

>> Book Your Bus Ticket Here <<

At about ~$8 cheaper than the train, it's undeniably

the best value. However, after reading a few pickpocket reviews, I hesitated...

To be fair, it's a direct route that goes straight from the airport

to the city center, and you can board easily with a QR code.

Still, the security concerns made me pass on this option ㅠㅠ

2. Private Car: Airport Transfer

This is the priciest option, but undoubtedly the easiest and most comfortable:

Booking a pre-arranged private airport transfer.

I actually ended up using this service on my departure day because

there was a sudden train strike and I was completely exhausted.

Zero pickpocket worries, a guaranteed seat, and door-to-door service

from my hotel to the departure terminal. It saved me so much energy!

Private Airport Transfer Service

Price: ~$108 - ~$154 per vehicle

Travel Time: Approx. 40-50 minutes

Pros: Ultimate convenience (no dragging luggage over cobblestones!)

Cons: The high price tag

I compared the cost with booking an Uber,

and pre-booking a private transfer was actually slightly cheaper!

Since we had a 24-inch and a 28-inch suitcase,

we booked a slightly larger vehicle for around ~$100.

(For comparison, Uber was quoting €84, which is roughly ~$115)

* Prices may fluctuate slightly based on exchange rates.

Standard Airport Transfer	Premium / Specialized Transfer
~$100 - ~$108 for 2 pax	~$154 for 2 pax
🔗Book Standard Transfer	🔗Check Premium Prices

I just went with the more affordable standard option!

Communicating with the driver in basic English was perfectly fine.

Because we were lugging a 28-inch and a 24-inch suitcase,

I decided to book a standard sedan to ensure we had enough trunk space,

especially since the price difference was negligible.

If you click the blue arrow next to the price, you'll see various operators.

Honestly, booking the cheapest one works perfectly fine without any issues!!

Not having to drag heavy luggage over uneven Roman cobblestones

and just relaxing in a comfortable car was an absolute blessing..! haha.

3. Train: Leonardo Express

The train runs non-stop from the airport directly

to Termini Station. Because the pickpocket risk is considerably lower,

I chose the train over the bus for my arrival.

Train: Leonardo Express

Price: €14 (~$15) per person

Travel Time: Approx. 40 minutes

Frequency: Every 15-20 minutes

Pros: Direct route with much lower risk of luggage theft

Cons: Susceptible to Italian transit strikes; might have to stand if it's crowded

> Book the Leonardo Express Here <

Once you land, follow the signs for "TRAIN" from Terminal 3.

It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk there from the arrivals hall,

so make sure to factor that into your schedule!

(For reference, I flew with Finnair and landed at Terminal 3)

You simply scan your ticket QR code at the gates to enter.

Since the vast majority of tourists are heading to Termini Station,

you can just follow the crowd and hop on!

I boarded a bit late, so most of the seats were already taken,

and the luggage racks were practically full...

Bringing a small cable lock for your luggage isn't a bad idea.

Otherwise, since it's a non-stop train, just make sure to

head over and keep an eye on your bags right before arriving!

4. Final Summary

Here is a quick summary table of everything discussed above!

If price is your #1 priority > Bus

If comfort is your #1 priority > Private Transfer

If speed and reliability are key > Train

Category	Bus	Private Transfer	Train
Price	~$8	~$108 per vehicle	~$16
Time	Approx. 50 mins ~ 1 hour	Approx. 40~50 mins	Approx. 40 mins
Frequency	20 mins	-	20 mins