Flights to Rome — What to Expect
Rome is served by two main airports: Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO), which handles the majority of international and long-haul traffic, and Ciampino (CIA), a smaller hub used almost exclusively by low-cost carriers. Most travelers flying into Rome from elsewhere in Europe will land at one or the other depending on their airline. Flights from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Madrid are frequent and competitive. Carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Vueling run cheap flights to Rome from across Europe, often pricing fares well under €60 one-way if you book early. Full-service airlines including ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways cover the same routes with more flexibility on baggage and timing.
When hunting for Rome flight deals, expect to pay anywhere from €40–€120 one-way from major European cities in shoulder season, climbing to €150–€250 during peak summer weeks in July and August. Flights from London to Rome typically start around €50–€80 with Ryanair or EasyJet out of Stansted or Gatwick. From Amsterdam or Paris, ITA Airways and Air France offer competitive fares on the Frankfurt–Rome and CDG–FCO routes. Booking 6–10 weeks ahead generally gets you the best value on flights from Europe to Rome, though last-minute deals occasionally appear if you're flexible.
Best Time to Visit Rome
April, May, September, and October are the sweet spot. Temperatures sit comfortably around 18–22°C (64–72°F), the light is excellent for sightseeing, and the Colosseum queues — while never short — are at least manageable. April brings spring flowers and the city feels genuinely alive without being suffocated by tourists. May is arguably perfect: warm evenings, long days, outdoor dining in full swing. June is still good but marks the start of the summer surge in both price and footfall.
July and August are Rome at its most intense. Heat regularly tops 35°C (95°F), the cobblestones radiate it back at you, and the tourist density around the Vatican and Trevi Fountain is genuinely exhausting. That said, many Romans leave the city in August, which gives certain neighborhoods a quieter, almost abandoned feel — a different kind of Rome experience. November through February is the off-season: cheaper flights to Rome, thin crowds, and cool but not brutal weather in the 8–14°C range. It rains more, but Rome's museums — the Borghese Gallery, the Vatican Museums, the Capitoline — are far more enjoyable when you're not shoulder-to-shoulder with tour groups. December adds Christmas markets and festive atmosphere around Piazza Navona. January and February are the cheapest months across the board.
Getting Around Rome
From Fiumicino (FCO), the Leonardo Express train runs directly to Roma Termini every 30 minutes, taking about 32 minutes and costing €14. It's reliable, fast, and far less stressful than a taxi during peak traffic. Regional FL1 trains are cheaper (around €8) but slower and require a change. Taxis from FCO to the city centre have a fixed rate of €50, which is fair if you're a group of three or four with luggage. From Ciampino (CIA), there's no direct train — take a Terravision or SIT bus to Termini (around €6, 40 minutes), or a taxi for the flat rate of €31 to the centre.
Within Rome, the metro has only two main lines (A and B) and misses many central attractions, but it's useful for longer cross-city journeys. Buses cover the gaps but can be slow in traffic. For most visitors, Rome is best explored on foot — the historic centre is compact and walkable. Trams run along a few useful routes. Avoid renting a car in Rome; driving in the ZTL (restricted traffic zones) is a bureaucratic nightmare and parking is scarce.
Where to Stay in Rome
The Historic Centre (Centro Storico) — around Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, and the Pantheon — puts you within walking distance of nearly everything. Expect to pay €120–€200/night for a decent mid-range hotel. It's the most convenient but also the noisiest and priciest area. Trastevere offers a more neighbourhood feel with excellent restaurants; slightly cheaper and still walkable to the main sights. Prati, just north of the Vatican, is quieter, residential, and a good mid-range base. Testaccio is where Romans actually eat and drink — less touristy, honest prices, great food market. For budget travellers, the area around Termini station has the highest density of hostels and budget hotels (€25–€70/night), though the immediate surroundings are gritty. Luxury options cluster around the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto — expect to spend €300–€600+/night at properties like the Hotel de Russie or the Hassler.
Top Things to Do in Rome
- The Colosseum and Roman Forum: Book timed entry online well in advance — skipping the queue at the gate is non-negotiable in peak season. The combo ticket covers both sites.
- Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: Pre-book a morning slot to beat the crowds. The Sistine Chapel alone is worth the visit; the museums require at least three hours to do justice.
- Borghese Gallery: Strictly limited to 360 visitors at a time, which makes it Rome's most civilised major attraction. Bernini's sculptures here are among the finest works of art in the world. Booking is essential.
- Trastevere at Night: Skip the tourist trap restaurants near the Trevi Fountain and spend an evening eating and drinking in Trastevere. No agenda, no queue — just good Roman food.
- Palatine Hill Sunrise: If you're staying nearby, walking up to Palatine Hill early morning before the crowds arrive gives you Rome laid out below with almost no one around.
- Day Trip to Ostia Antica: Rome's ancient port city is as impressive as Pompeii and gets a fraction of the visitors. A 30-minute metro-train journey from Termini; entry is under €15.
Practical Travel Tips
Visas: EU citizens need only a valid ID card to enter Italy. UK nationals post-Brexit can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period under the Schengen rules — no visa required, but your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Note that the EU's ETIAS pre-travel authorisation system for UK and other non-EU nationals is expected to launch in 2025–2026; check the latest requirements before booking. Currency: Italy uses the Euro (€). ATMs are widely available; use ones attached to banks rather than independent machines to avoid inflated fees. Most restaurants and shops accept cards, but carry some cash for smaller places, taxis, and market stalls. Tipping: Not mandatory and not expected the way it is in the US. Rounding up the bill or leaving €1–€2 per person at a sit-down restaurant is perfectly appropriate. A coperto (cover charge, usually €1–€3 per person) is standard and will appear on your bill automatically. Safety: Rome is generally safe for tourists. Pickpocketing is the main concern — on buses (particularly the 40 and 64 routes near the Vatican), at Termini, and in crowded tourist areas. Use a crossbody bag, keep phones in your front pocket, and be aware at the Trevi Fountain.
FAQ — Flights to Rome
How much do flights to Rome cost?
From most European cities, return flights to Rome typically range from €80–€200 in shoulder season (April–May, September–October). Summer peak weeks (July–August) push prices to €200–€400 return depending on the route and how late you book. Budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet frequently offer one-way fares under €50 from London, Manchester, Barcelona, and other major hubs when booked 6–10 weeks in advance. January and February tend to offer the cheapest Rome flight deals of the year.
Which airlines fly to Rome?
Rome Fiumicino is well connected across Europe. ITA Airways (Italy's national carrier) operates hub routes out of FCO. Ryanair and EasyJet cover a huge number of European cities into both FCO and Ciampino. British Airways flies Heathrow–FCO multiple times daily. Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Iberia, Vueling, and Wizz Air all serve Rome regularly. For travellers coming from outside Europe, American Airlines, Delta, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad operate long-haul routes into Fiumicino.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Rome?
January and February are consistently the cheapest months to fly to Rome, with fares and hotel prices both at their annual low. November is also competitive. If you want low prices with better weather, early March or late October can offer good value — the summer crowds haven't arrived yet (or have left), and the city is genuinely pleasant to walk around. Avoid flying in during Easter week regardless of price — Rome is extremely busy and accommodation fills up fast.
How long is the flight to Rome from London?
The flight from London (Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted) to Rome is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes. From Amsterdam it's around 2 hours 20 minutes; from Paris CDG, roughly 2 hours; from Frankfurt, about 2 hours 10 minutes; from Madrid, around 2 hours 30 minutes. Rome is well within easy weekend-trip range from virtually every major European city, which is part of why flights from Europe to Rome remain so competitive year-round.