We have just booked our flights for an upcoming trip this spring, and the flight has a 5 hr layover in Rome on the return flight. I believe the train runs about every half hour from the airport into town, and the ride is about a half hour, but is that really time to catch a quick visit into the city? The other issue is that the arrival time into FCO is 7:50 am, departing to return toe the US at 12:45 PM. Putting aside the fact that we will be tired from a very early morning flight, can you wise and experienced CC travelers share suggestions, options, ideas? Is it doable? Is it worth it? What would be open so early in the morning (even if we took a cab/uber/personal car rather than the train).
Looking forward to thoughts and ideas. We can go chill in ai lounge for the few hours, but if there is a way to see something without cutting it too close, I am all ears. Thanks in advance.
Jym - if your flight is a direct flight to a U.S. airport, you might need more than just a couple of hours to get through the security and passport screening… so by the time you get to Rome, you will have to head back to the airport to make sure you make your return flight.
There is no way I’d chance it. It is always recommended that for an international flight you arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance. You won’t have luggage to check, but I wouldn’t cut it closer than 2 hours back in the terminal. That would only give you 3 hours from sitting in the inbound plane to having to be in the line to get back into the terminal.
You are all confirming my thoughts, but DH seems to think we could zip out briefly. Even if we could, whats open at that hour? Might be better off relaxing and eating whatever is in the lounge. But DH is feeling like it will make for a very long travel day.
Anything to see in the airport? Not big on buying duty free stuff.
3 Hours
A 15-minute taxi ride from Fiumicino airport is Ostia Antica, the well-preserved ruins of Rome’s old harbour city. Once an important commercial town and trading post of the Roman Empire, the site contains mosaics, ancient bathhouses and even a 1st century BC theatre. Alternatively, take the train to Termini, specifically to eat and drink at Mercato Centrale. This 1,900-square-metre food hall contains stalls by some of the best producers in Rome – and beyond.
@chercheur, except they won’t have 5 hours in Rome. More like an hour and a half, since they should be at the airport 2 hours before their flight, and the trip to the city and back is an hour and a half at best.
I would be nervous about missing the second flight if I left the airport.
I have not flown into or out of Rome. In other major airports in Europe, there is often a significant amount of shopping that you can do. I recall one time that I had a similar wait after an overnight to Europe, and found a business class lounge where they allowed me to sleep for a while, and even promised to wake me up at a reasonable time prior to my outgoing flight. A brief nap was quite pleasant.
We just went through Rome. If you are connecting from an EU or domestic flight to the US, you’ll have to make your way to another terminal and go through security, and it’s a very long walk. Five hours is just long enough to get to the gate, go to the restroom, and get a bite to eat.
Fiumicino is pretty disorganized and you’ll want enough time. That said, the shopping will blow your mind, and can spend any extra time looking for fresh mozzarella, Bulgari jewels, perfume, fashions, or wine.
I bet you could fit in a quick trip to Ostia Antica-it is like a mini-pompeii near the Rome airport. I would have a driver meet you at the airport, take you there, and wait while you stroll around. One of my favorite and lesser known things to do in Rome. Find the baths, the fish market-it can be quite fun.
When we flew into Rome from Naples for our return home, it took a long time to get everyone through security. They asked everyone questions. I would not chance it.
Ostia is close and one of DH’s favorite sites. But any delay is going to cost you on the back end. And if you don’t speak Italian, can’t express concerns to a taxi driver…
We had a 5 hour layover and we did stay in the airport. It’s big, we had a long walk to our gate and just enough carryon not to want to tote it around. I don’t know what I’d do, if Iwere you.
There is zero chance I’d let him go without me . But its sounding like we aren’t going to be able to leave the airport, though thanks, @chercheur and @roycroftmom for the suggestions. I will look into those ideas. We looked into doing an overnight in Rome on the way out but it wasn’t going to work for a few reasons.
If there’s a KLM or Air France club you can hang out in, they are kind of interesting and have different food than you get in the US clubs. Great coffee in the Rome airport, too.