Question about getting from FCO Airport to Rome city centre

[OpalFruitsMakeMyMouthWater]

I recently booked a week to Rome next summer - just myself (female) and my daughter (who will be 18 when we go). Our flight out was at 11am from our local airport (10 minutes away from our house) to Rome, via Schipol in Amsterdam (1 hr layover). I deliberately booked this flight (as part of a package) as neither of us like getting up ridiculously early for a flight. Same coming back.

The airline have cancelled the flight! They’ve booked us on the 6am flight but have also given us the option of booking the 17:40 flight. I’d prefer the 17:40 flight but it means we won’t land in Rome until 22:45. Our hotel is near to the Vatican City. We had planned to get the express train to Rome Termini and then the metro to near the hotel (in daylight hours). The express train doesn’t run that late and I don’t want to be wandering around (lost) at night. First time in Rome!!

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Can you get your money back and fly with a different airline? Champion is pretty reasonable in a taxi (Ryanair)

I hear they have these amazing things in Italy called taxis.

We prebooked a taxi and the driver was waiting for us with a sign with our name on when we arrived and dropped us at our hotel. They collected us for the return from the hotel foyer.

We used Rome shuttle limousine.

It was 50 euros each way but this was approx 5 years ago.

we booked online and received confirmation emails in English

Use the Taxi stand outside the arrivals door, there is a fixed fare of €55 to anywhere within the city limits which includes Vatican. I used it back in September and although we had to queue for a bit, it worked fine. Safer at night for sure.

Will the bus still be running?

it’s really easy and you get to see sights

It's incredibly easy to get a taxi immediately in front of the arrivals area as someone has already said Just make sure it has the official licensed plate on the door. It's maroon and white and displays the maximum fare they can charge by law.

I booked a transfer when we went. Super easy.

I’ll check but not sure.

Get a taxi OP. There's loads of signs about taxis and the fact that the fares are fixed for trips from the airport to the city.

Not the point of the thread but I think it’s madness to opt for the 17.40 for the sake of avoiding one early morning. Not only are you losing all that time on holiday, the risk of delays increase the later into the day it is, and with only an hour at Schipol you can’t afford a moments delay (please tell me it’s a through ticket on the same airline?) If you miss the flight to Rome there likely won’t be a later one that day they can put you on.

That said, if you stick to your choice, get a taxi.

Just get a taxi? No drama.

I honestly think you’ve dodged a bullet as chances of making that connection at Schipol were 50/50 at best- chances of luggage not getting transferred were high.

Get the earlier flight and enjoy more of Rome and the Leonardo Express. Otherwise get a taxi.

I'd get the early flight. 1 early morning is surely worth it to be able to get to your hotel in daytime rather than late at night.

I booked a shuttle bus when we landed at FCO to Rome Termani. It was very easy. The shuttle buses are right outside the airport. I think the buses also go to the Vatican.

To leave the UK at 17.40 and go via AMS arriving in Rome at 22.40 OP must have a similar layover for the new option if not less, that’s about 3-3.5 hours of flying plus an hours time difference to fit into a 5 hour window.

In October We booked through this company from city centre back to airport as it was cheaper this : https://www.fiumicinotaxi.info/from-rome-to-fiumicino-airport. We had a friendly female driver who communicated prior to arrival, was there on time (a bit early due to parking situation but happy to wait for us), clean car and we felt safe. Also very easy booking on their website and quick to answer. As most things in Rome they use WhatsApp to communicate

Just ask for a refund and find an alternative flight.

Arriving in Rome in darkness would be so anticlimactic for me, and you'd miss the day.

We used Uber, it operates a bit differently in that it links to the local taxi firms but as the same benefits of knowing what you’re paying up front and where to get it.

I checked and there is only 40 minutes at Schipol. Seems way too tight!

Just to say I found lots of stuff in Rome walkable despite guides recommending transport

but yes airport you need to get a ride but it’s not miles and miles

@OpalFruitsMakeMyMouthWater I transfer fairly often through Heathrow and Gatwick and wouldn’t even consider less than 90 minutes unless I was travelling alone with only hand luggage. What’s the transfer time if you take the early option?

@OpalFruitsMakeMyMouthWater I’m fairly sure from the timings which local airport you’re travelling from, and there should be another one between your original time and the 06.00?

Yes, the original flight was 10am. Transfer time for that one was 2hrs 5 mins so plenty of time. But, 40 mins is a bit tight. Same airline.

Even looked at going the day before but the 10am flight to Schipol has vanished.

We are only taking hand luggage.