Rome Airport to Termini 2026: Train, Bus, or Transfer?
Planning your arrival in Rome? Compare the Leonardo Express train, shuttle buses, and private transfers from Fiumicino Airport to Termini Station for 2026.

How to Get from Rome Airport to Termini Station
Pros, Cons, and Booking Tips for Buses, Private Transfers, and Trains
ⓒ Words & Photos by Global Explorer
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 |
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 |
* Swipe to view full table on mobile :)
I hope this helps you pick the perfect transport for your Roman holiday!








