Flights to Rome
Walk from the Colosseum to the Pantheon to a trattoria in Trastevere and you'll cross 2,000 years of history: Rome is an open-air museum with some of Europe's best everyday food.
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Italian
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer
- Plug type
- Type C, F and L, 230 V
- Main airport
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO)
Overview
Few cities layer history as densely as Rome. Within a short walk you can see the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the 2nd-century Pantheon still standing with its original concrete dome, Baroque fountains by Bernini in Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps. Across the Tiber, Vatican City, an independent state, holds St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums with Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.
The historic center (Centro Storico) is best explored on foot, with a gelato and espresso stop in every piazza. Trastevere, on the west bank, is a maze of ivy-draped lanes and busy trattorias. Monti, tucked between the Forum and Termini, is a local favorite for vintage shops and wine bars, while Testaccio, the old slaughterhouse district, is the place to try Roman classics like carbonara, cacio e pepe and trippa.
Rome rewards an unhurried pace. Many major sites need advance booking, including the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums, which are closed on most Sundays. Dress codes apply in churches (cover shoulders and knees). The Metro network is small, so expect to walk a lot on cobblestones and use buses and trams to fill the gaps.
Highlights of Rome
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Book a combined timed ticket to see the amphitheater and wander the ruins of ancient Rome's political heart and its imperial palaces.
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Miles of galleries lead to Michelangelo's ceiling; arrive early or book a timed slot, then visit St. Peter's Basilica and climb its dome.
Pantheon
Step under the nearly 2,000-year-old dome and its open oculus; entry is by ticket, and it is at its most atmospheric early in the day.
Trevi Fountain and the Centro Storico
Toss a coin into Rome's most famous fountain, then walk on to Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori.
Trastevere evenings
Cross the Tiber for dinner among cobbled lanes, then join locals for a drink around Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Where to stay
Centro Storico
Between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, everything is walkable; ideal for first-timers who want to be in the heart of it.
Trastevere
Characterful and lively at night with plenty of restaurants; best for couples and food lovers who don't mind some noise.
Monti
Bohemian streets close to the Colosseum and Termini, with good cafés and wine bars; convenient for sightseeing and arrivals by train.
Prati
Calm, elegant and near the Vatican, with good shopping and Metro Line A; suits families and travelers who prefer quieter nights.
Airports and getting into town
From Fiumicino, the nonstop Leonardo Express reaches Roma Termini in about 32 minutes, while FL1 regional trains stop at Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina. Coach shuttles also run to Termini in about 50–60 minutes, and official white taxis charge a fixed fare to the historic center within the Aurelian Walls, taking roughly 45 minutes. From Ciampino, shuttle buses reach Termini in about 40 minutes.
Best time to visit
April to early June and September to October bring warm, sunny days that are comfortable for sightseeing, though Easter week draws large crowds to the Vatican. July and August are hot, and around Ferragosto (August 15) some family-run shops and restaurants close. Winter is mild and much quieter, and December brings Christmas markets to Piazza Navona and nativity scenes across the city's churches.
Airlines flying to Rome
Popular routes to Rome
Flying out of Rome
Travel tips from our desk
- Book the Colosseum and Vatican Museums online in advance; walk-up lines can be very long and slots sell out in peak season.
- Cover shoulders and knees for St. Peter's Basilica and other churches, or carry a light scarf.
- Drink from the free public fountains called nasoni, which dispense cold, clean drinking water all over the city.
- Order coffee at the bar the Roman way: it is usually cheaper standing up than sitting at a table.
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Explore Madrid →Flights to Rome — frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from New York to Rome?
A nonstop from New York JFK or Newark to Fiumicino usually takes about 8.5 to 9 hours eastbound and around 10 hours on the return.
Which Rome airport should I fly into?
Fly into Fiumicino (FCO), which handles all long-haul flights from North America and has the Leonardo Express train to Termini. Ciampino (CIA) is mainly for low-cost flights within Europe.
When is the best time to visit Rome?
April to early June and September to October offer warm weather without the intense summer heat. Winter is quieter, with shorter lines at major sights.
How do I get from Fiumicino to central Rome?
The Leonardo Express train runs nonstop to Roma Termini in about 32 minutes. Official white taxis offer a fixed fare to the historic center and take around 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Can I take day trips from Rome?
Yes. Trains make Florence and Naples easy day trips at about 1.5 and 1 hour away respectively, and regional trains or tours reach Ostia Antica, Tivoli and Orvieto.
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