Immediately after your flight to Rome lands you'll realize there’s nothing more captivating than the “Eternal City.” Located on the River Tiber, Rome (Roma) once served as the main port of the Roman Empire, and today is the seat of the Italian government and home to the Vatican. Rome flights are packed with first-time travelers to Italy and distant relatives heading home for a family reunion. Whether the flight to Rome takes you on an exploration of Renaissance buildings and cobblestone piazzas, or closer to a home-cooked Italian meal across the river, the flight to Rome will be unforgettable.
If your Rome flight leaves you longing to stretch your legs, you’re in luck: Rome is an easily walkable city, which is great for first-time visitors wanting snapshots of must-see sights including the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the romantic Piazza Navona. Travelers booking Rome airline tickets will find the Vatican – the religious center of the Roman Catholic faith and home to the Pope – directly across the river. After a blessing at the Vatican, stroll the streets of Trastevere or the Jewish Ghetto and dine on fine cuisine at small wine bars and sidewalk cafes.
A flight to Rome will leave you among some of the earliest artifacts in the world, but Rome also boasts a lively modern lifestyle. One minute you're staring at the Colosseum and finding your way through the Roman Forums, the next minute you're fighting crowds in line at one of the city's many pizzerias.
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December and January see the most rainfall and the city is typically cool during the winter months. Spring and fall are the best times to visit Rome and typically when most tourists book flights to Rome. April usually starts in the 50s and temperatures reach the upper 70s in June. Summer can be very hot and dry with July and August temperatures in the mid-80s.
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Rome flights and hotels are normally full during the spring and fall seasons, so it's a good idea to book your Roman holiday in advance. Tourists looking for cheap flights to Rome can search for end-of-summer last minute flights to Rome in mid-winter but beware that many of the city's main attractions operate on limited hours during this time.
Peak Season:
Rome’s peak tourist season begins just before Easter (when the greatest number of visitors flock to the city) and runs through October. June to the beginning of September is usually the most expensive and crowded time to travel to Rome. Many visitors come in the summer despite the warmer weather. It’s recommended that you don’t travel in Italy in August. Most of the population is on vacation for the month of August, especially the last two weeks of August. Even hotels, restaurants and shops are closed as all the Romans go on vacation.
Off Season:
Most attractions either go on shorter winter hours or close for renovations from late October to Easter. Some hotels and restaurants are closed for a month or two between November and February. However, during the winter months, especially January through March, you can often get into the open attractions and sights without having to wait in line.
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Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO)
Distance: 19 miles southwest of Rome
Drive time: 45 mins – 1 hour
The cheapest option is to take the train from the airport to the center of Rome (Termini station). The ride takes approximately 25-30 minutes and will cost 11 euros. From Termini, take any subway train to your preferred stop or take a taxi to your destination. Quick tip: Once you buy a train ticket from the tourist information counter near the tracks, you have 75 minutes to use the ticket before it becomes void. Make sure to check train times and schedules before purchasing your train ticket to Rome.
Ciampino (CIA)
Distance: 9 miles south of downtown.
Drive time: 45 mins
There are no direct train connections from Ciampino to the center of Rome; however, buses run from the airport to the Anagnina metro station, at the end of line A. The bus ride is about 30 minutes and then it’s another 20 minutes on the train into town.
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Don’t try driving a car or motorbike in Rome. The historic center of the city is easily managed on foot and many streets don’t allow cars. Where the streets are open, traffic is heavy and congested and local drivers have little patience. You’ll enjoy the city on foot, especially if you have some comfy walking shoes to make your way over the cobblestones. For longer distances, take advantage of the public transportation system, the Metrebus or Metro. You can find subway entrances by looking for a big red “M.” Most of the popular attractions have subway stops nearby and trains run from 5:30am until 11:30pm. On Saturdays trains run an extra hour until 12:30am. For after-hours travel, hop on a night bus, which run from 12:30am to 5:30am. Look for stops marked with an owl. The daytime buses and trams start running at 5:30am. You won’t get anywhere fast, but at least you can soak up some of the city while you get around. You’ll need to buy bus and metro tickets before you board.
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- If you're in Rome in September, don't miss La Notte Bianca ("the white night") when all of Rome stays open until dawn. Most of the museums and galleries have free entry all night long and it's the only chance to see behind the normally closed doors at some public buildings, such as the stunning Palazzo Farnese, home of the French Embassy.
- On the last Sunday of every month the Vatican Museums have free admission, so you can save €12 (roughly $17) if you visit then.
- The Vatican Museums are massive and can take hours to walk through. It's advisable that you book a tour of the museums in advance to ensure you get the full experience. There are plenty of tour companies that take groups through the Vatican, and there are also Vatican Guides who are hired to walk tourists through the vast museums. If you happen upon the Vatican without a pre-booked tour, be cautious of the people on the street offering tours for half price and no waiting in lines. These are not official tour guides.
- If you booked a flight to Rome just to see the Sistine Chapel, make sure to get there and join the line early - at least an hour before the museums open at 8.45am. Once you're inside, sprint all the way to the Sistine Chapel. (To walk around normally and look at all the other works of art would take at least a couple of hours.) If you're lucky, and quick enough, you might get to see it on your own.
- Rome is the place for shopping. If you're on the hunt for bargains, steer clear of the Via del Condotti and visit Via del Governo Vechhio and Porta Portese, the weekend market in the Trastevere district. Both are boutiquey and trendy and have second-hand clothes, nick-nacks and junk at reasonable prices.
- When in Rome, don't order a cappuccino after your meal. Despite being one of Italy's most famous exports, a cappuccino would only be drunk by the Romans at breakfast and never at any other time of the day. No matter how well you speak the language, ordering a cappuccino after supper is a giveaway sign that you're a tourist.
- Meals in Rome are sacred. Plan to spend hours at a restaurant for dinner. Unlike restaurants in the U.S., the Romans don't aim to turn-tables. Once you sit down, you're there for the night. Most dinners start with an antipasto, followed by a salad or small plate of pasta, and then the main meal is fish or meat. Dessert is a delicacy in Rome so enjoy!
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Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO)
Ciampino (CIA)
Rome is served by two airports: Leonardo da Vinci, commonly referred to as Fiumicino, and Ciampino. Fiumicino is the principal airport for flights to Rome. Charter flights and some international flights use Ciampino, which is also a civil and military airport. Fiumicino is also the major hub for Alitalia Airlines.
You can often get a cheap flight to Rome by flying through London rather than direct to Rome. London is a hub for low-cost airlines and charter flights.
Before flying to or from an Italian airport, always check with either the airport or your travel agency about upcoming strikes that may affect air travel.
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