Featured on many Europe cruises, Civitavecchia cruise terminal is the gateway for Rome, Italy. Instead of booking directly with a cruise line, transportation and transfers can be organized independently, for those who want to save money. Here are some independent transportation options for transferring between the city of Rome, the airport and the Civitavecchia cruise terminal.
Booking Air Travel to Rome Independently
Passengers on Europe cruises that originate or end in Civitavecchia, Italy can use Leonardo da Vinci International Airport of Fiumicino (FCO). Most of the major airlines have regular arrivals and departures from this airport. This gateway airport is approximately 32 km from Rome city and the airport is approximately 66 km from the cruise terminal in Civitavecchia. When arriving by air, passengers can choose to head straight to their cruise ship or extend their vacation by staying in a Rome hotel or an airport hotel.
Transportation from Fiumicino Airport to Rome
- Taxi – It’s about a 45 minute drive from Fiumicino Airport to the city of Rome. Take one of the white taxis that are officially marked and have a taxi light on top. Also make sure there is a licence number displayed in the cab. Taxi rates are capped at EUR 60 (maximum four persons) for the route between Fiumicino airport and the city of Rome. For issues with the rate charged, write down the taxi licence number, ask for a receipt and call 060606 to report any problems.
- Transfers and Shuttles – There are different shuttles to choose from between Fiumicino airport and Rome. Many Rome airport hotels offer a shuttle service from the hotel to Rome. For the hotels that don’t provide a Rome transfer, take the hotel shuttle to the airport and then take a shuttle from the airport to Rome. Expect the shuttle from the airport into Rome to cost around EUR 50 for two people.
- Train – The Leonardo Express train is a direct train service from Fiumicino airport and Rome’s main railway station, Roma Termini. It leaves every 30 minutes and costs EUR 11 per person. Tickets must be stamped in the validating machine on the platform before boarding the train.
Transportation from Civitavecchia to Rome or Airport
- Taxi – It’s about a 110 km drive taking about 1.5 hours from Civitavecchia cruise terminal into Rome, but there are only a limited number of taxis available at the cruise terminal.
- Transfers and Shuttles – There are many limo and shuttle service companies that will transfer passengers between Civitavecchia cruise terminal and the city of Rome or Fiumicino Airport. A few Rome hotels even have their own transfers to and from Civitavecchia. A private car generally costs from EUR 125 for two persons to get to and from Civitavecchia. It’s advised to make reservations.
- Train – There a few different train options between Civitavecchia and Rome city. The Eurostar is the fastest, taking only 43 minutes (from EUR 11 per person for 2nd class). The Regionale takes about 1.5 hours but only costs around EUR 4.50 per person.
For cruises that start or end in Civitavecchia, most cruise lines offer shore excursions or a transfer that includes some type of sightseeing, too. For example, Royal Caribbean offers an embark transfer to the ship that takes 4.5 hours and costs US $129 per person. The motor coach ride takes passengers from the airport into Rome to see the sights, then finishes with a transfer to Civitavecchia.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
