Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world. As many larger cities around the world, it has 2 airports. Which one to fly to is something to consider when booking a flight. And there are a few things you should know before making the choice of flying either to Fiumicino or Ciampino airport.
What Are The Differences Between the Two Airports?
In many cases when flying on long haul flights you won’t even have the option to choose. All long-haul flights arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport which is not only Rome’s major airport but the largest and busiest in Italy. Therefore, in that situation you won’t even have to make the decision. In that case just hop over to my other post explaining how to get from the airports to the city.
But if you find yourself flying from somewhere in Europe to Rome, particularly if you’re considering travelling on a low-cost carrier, then you need to consider pros and cons of the two airports.
So, let’s start by talking about what the two airports have to offer. Ciampino an all low-cost carrier airport. There are no full-service airlines flying to Ciampino. Therefore, the airport is quite barebones. There’ll be some bars, food outlets, and basic stores but no lounges or any extra comfort whatsoever.
Fiumicino has both low-cost and full service arlines flying to it. Therefore, it offers all the comforts you expect from a major international airport.
Ciampino until recently also was a military airport, meaning transport infrastructure was never a real priority. Hence, the only two transport modes into the city from Rome Ciampino are Taxi and Bus. Rome Fiumicino instead also has a train station which offers fast non-stop services to Rome Termini central train station, along with trains to Tiburtina (another major train station).
Therefore, although being further out of the city, Fiumicino is out of the two airports the better connected one.
Which Rome Airport Should I Fly To, Ciampino or Fiumicino?
My honest answer to that question is I would always choose Fiumicino Airport over Ciampino. Simply because the passenger experience is so much better at FCO. Also getting to the city is that much easier from Rome’s main airport than it is from Ciampino.
That is however counterbalanced by how cheap you can find a ticket to Ciampino instead of Fiumicino. Airport taxes are lower for airlines flying into Rome’s secondary airport and therefore, average ticket prices also whould be lower. Keep in mind though that the only two airlines to fly to Ciampino are Wizzair and Ryanair. There aren’t that many options in many cases and, as I mentioned before, in many cases you are just forced to fly to one or the other airport.