Transportation

Rome Airports

The main Rome airport is Leonardo da Vinci, also known as Fiumicino. The other Rome airport is Ciampino, where most domestic, and some international, flights arrive. You can get a flight from just about anywhere in the world to Rome. Departure tax is always prepaid with your air ticket into or out of Italy.

Flying time to Rome is approximately 8½ hours from New York, 10-11 hours from Chicago, 11½ hours from Dallas (via New York ), 11½ hours from Los Angeles , 2½ hours from London, and 23½ hours from Sydney.

Some international and charter flights land at Ciampino (CIA) Rome Airport (Via Appia Nuova, PHONE: 06/794941, www.adr.it), a civil and military airport 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Rome. From there you can catch a COTRAL bus that connects with a subway to Stazione Termini, or you can drive down the Via Appia Nuova.

Most international flights and all domestic flights arrive at Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) (FCO) (phone: 06/65953640), a Rome airport 26km (16mi) southwest of the city. One of the most convenient ways to travel into town is by the Stazione Termini direct train, which usually runs hourly from the airport. You can also travel by train from the airport to Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina. A night bus runs to Stazione Tiburtina. If you're driving, an autostrada runs from this Rome airport to the city via EUR - it's a 45-minute drive and will cost you a small fortune by taxi.

Carriers

Major Airlines

Alitalia (phone: 800/223-5730 in the U.S.; 61/292-44-2222 in Australia; 06/65641 in Rome; 848/865641 elsewhere in Italy, www.alitalia.it).

British Airways (phone: 800/AIRWAYS in the U.S. and Canada; 0845/77-333-77 in the U.K.; 02/8904-8800 in Australia; 09/356-8690 in New Zealand; 199/712266 toll-free in Italy, www.britishairways.com).

Continental Airlines (phone: 800/231-0856 in U.S.; 02/69633256 in Milan; 800/296230 elsewhere in Italy, www.flycontinental.com).

Delta Air Lines (phone: 800/241-4141 in U.S.; 800/864114 in Italy, www.deltaairlines.com).

US Airways (phone: 800/428-4322 in the U.S.; 848/813177 in Italy, www.usairways.com).

From the U.K.

Direct service from Heathrow and Gatwick is provided by:

Alitalia (phone: 0870/544-8259 in the U.K.; 06/65641 in Rome ; 848/865641 elsewhere in Italy, www.alitalia.it).

British Airways (phone: 0845/77-333-77 in the U.K. ; 199/712266 toll-free in Italy, www.britishairways.com), with daily flights from Manchester to Rome

Ryanair (phone: 08701/569569 in U.K.; 199/114114 in Italy , www.ryanair.com), departing from London Stansted, has daily flights connecting London with Rome.

Virgin Express (phone: 0207/744-0004 in the U.K.; 02/48296000 in Milan; 800/097097 in the rest of Italy) connects London and Rome (via Brussels).

Transfers Between Leonardo da Vinci Airport and Town

By Car: To get to the city from Fiumicino by car, follow the signs for Rome on the expressway from the airport, which links with the GRA, the beltway around Rome. The direction you take on the GRA depends on where your hotel is, so get directions from the car-rental people at the airport.

By Taxi and Limousine: Travel by taxi from Fiumicino to the center of town costs EUR37-EUR43, including supplementi (extra charges) for airport service and luggage, and the ride takes 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. Private limousines can be hired at booths in the arrivals hall; they charge a little more than taxis but can take more passengers. Ignore gypsy drivers who approach you inside the terminal; stick to the licensed cabs, yellow or white, that wait by the curb. A booth inside the arrivals hall provides taxi information.

By Train: You have a choice of two trains that travel to downtown Rome from Fiumicino Airport. Ask at the airport (at APT or train information counters) which train takes you closer to your hotel.

The nonstop Airport-Termini express takes you directly to Track 22 at Stazione Termini, Rome 's main train station, which is well served by taxis and is the hub of metro and bus lines. The ride to Termini takes 30 minutes; departures are every half hour beginning at 6:37 AM from the airport, with a final departure at 11:37 PM. From Termini to the airport, trains leave at 21 and 51 minutes past the hour. Tickets cost EUR8.78.

FM1 , the other airport train, runs from the airport to Rome and beyond, terminating in Monterotondo, a suburban town to the east. The main stops in Rome are at Trastevere, Ostiense, and Tiburtina stations; at each you can find taxis and bus and/or metro connections to other parts of Rome. This train runs from Fiumicino from 6:35 AM to 12:15 AM , with departures every 20 minutes, a little less frequently in off-hours. The ride to Tiburtina takes 40 minutes. Tickets cost EUR4.15.

For either train buy your ticket at automatic vending machines. There are ticket counters at some stations (at Termini/Track 22, Trastevere, Tiburtina). Date-stamp the ticket at the gate before you board.

Transfers Between Ciampino and Town

By Car: Drive north on the Via Appia Nuova to reach downtown Rome.

By Taxi: Travel by taxi from Ciampino to the center of Rome can cost anywhere between EUR24 and EUR31, and the ride takes about 20 minutes. Make sure you choose a driver with an official-looking plate and avoid taking the first cab that approaches you.

By Train: A COTRAL bus connects the airport with the Anagnina Station of Metro line A, which takes you into the center of the city. Buses depart from in front of the airport terminal about 25 times a day between 6:50 AM and 11:40 PM. The fare is EUR1 and your ticket is also good for the Metro. Have change handy for the ticket machine, which is not always working. There is also a shop inside the terminal that can sell you a ticket, but it keeps erratic hours. If both purchasing options fail, board the bus and offer to pay the driver.For more information, contact: COTRAL (phone: 800/431784 toll free).