The Rome Index
Arriving at Ciampino airport
Rome's second airport — how to get into the city, and what to expect.
Who uses Ciampino
Ryanair, Wizz Air and a handful of other budget carriers use Ciampino (CIA) rather than Fiumicino. It's smaller, faster to navigate, and about 15km southeast of the city center — closer than Fiumicino in distance, but without a direct train link.
Getting into the city
Shuttle buses run regularly to Termini station, taking 40–50 minutes depending on traffic (longer in rush hour). Taxis use a fixed flat fare to the city center — confirm the rate before getting in. No direct train service runs from Ciampino itself; the nearest station requires a connecting bus.
On departure
Allow extra time — Ciampino is compact but its single terminal can be overwhelmed during peak departure periods, and the security queues at 5am before a budget-carrier morning rush can be longer than the flight.
Terminal size reality check
Ciampino's single small terminal can feel genuinely overwhelmed during peak budget-carrier departure banks (often early morning) — arriving with extra buffer time before a flight here matters more than at the larger, better-resourced Fiumicino.
Limited amenities compared to Fiumicino
Food, shopping and lounge options at Ciampino are considerably more limited than Fiumicino's — if you have a long layover or early arrival, planning to eat before reaching the airport, rather than counting on options once inside, avoids disappointment.
