Hotels in Rome, Italy

Leonardo da Vinci International Airport Hotels

Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, also known as Fiumicino Airport (FCO), is Rome’s main international gateway and one of Europe’s busiest passenger hubs. It lies 26 kilometres southwest of Rome and is connected to the city centre by a number of nifty transportation options. Leonardo Express direct trains leave every half hour and complete the journey to the city’s central rail station, Roma Termini, in about 30 minutes. Termini can also be reached by shuttle buses operated by Terravision. The journey takes 70 minutes with 5 stops on the way. Regular blue buses take passengers into the city from outside terminals B and C and bus tickets can be bought from local shops, which have a blue sign. Visitors looking for personalised service can take taxis at a fixed fare or rent a car in Rome through the Expedia site.

Staying in the heart of the city is convenient for sightseeing, but by choosing hotels in Rome’s suburbs, you could be closer to the beach and nab some brilliant bargains. If you have an early-morning flight to catch, you’ll be happy to be a stone’s throw from the terminals of Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.

Where to stay near Leonardo da Vinci Airport

The residential area of Ostia, 10 kilometres south of the airport, is far less busy than the centre of Rome, and hotels and apartments will be a short distance from the beach. A popular alternative to central Rome would be staying at a bed and breakfast or guesthouse around Infernetto, 16 kilometres southeast of the airport. The area is surrounded by a huge pinewood forest, which promises refreshing summer shade and fresh country air. You’ll also be within 40 minutes of downtown Rome via the Cristoforo Colombo motorway.

Visitors preferring to stay in a Rome hotel nearer the historic sites could choose the Historic Centre and Pantheon area, where a multitude of hotel, shopping and dining options await. Here you’ll be near the Colosseum, an oval amphitheatre completed in 80 CE and estimated to hold around 50,000 people. At the Roman Forum to the west, you can see the ruins of Ancient Rome’s government buildings, monuments and shrines. Not far from here, the Capitoline Museums feature a formidable picture gallery and hold one of Italy’s finest collections of Classical sculptures, including the well-known Capitoline Wolf, a sculpture of Romulus and Remus with their she-wolf foster mother. The Pantheon is just northwest of the museums. If you're looking for a luxurious option in Rome, try the 5-star Westin Excelsior, with its resplendent turn-of-the-century furnishings; if budget-friendly accommodation is the name of the game, the centrally located Hotel Sant'Angelo is tough to beat.

You may also want to visit the northern area of Rome to toss a coin or 2 into the Trevi Fountain, or climb the Spanish Steps at the Piazza di Spagna and enjoy the sweeping views from the top. The neighbourhood around Via Condotti is full of designer boutiques, chic restaurants and posh hotels.

The Vatican City is located to the northwest of Rome. The Vatican Museums are a treasure trove of relics and Michelangelo’s famous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel are, of course, unmissable. Next to the chapel, boasting a majestic dome, is the basilica of St Peter, considered one of the holiest Catholic shrines.

You could also start your Rome holiday in other top destinations in Italy. If you search for a holiday home in Naples and take a northbound train to Rome, you can be there in just an hour and 10 minutes. You could also choose Florence holiday rentals and travel south for an hour and 20 minutes to reach the capital.

What to do near Leonardo da Vinci Airport

Ostia, officially called Lido di Ostia, is built near the Ancient Roman port now known as Ostia Antica. The well-preserved buildings, magnificent frescoes and mosaics of this archaeological site make it a must-see for history buffs.

Beach babies and sun seekers should aim for Castelfusano and Castelporziano further south. The public beach at Castelfusano is about 30 kilometres southwest of Rome and three kilometres southeast of Ostia, and is connected to Rome by train. Castelporziano gets busy during peak season, so heading off early is crucial to finding the perfect slice of seaside real estate. To get here, take the bus 061 from the Cristoforo Colombo stop of the Roma-Lido train line from Rome.

When to visit Rome

Summers in Rome bring atmospheric crowds and glorious hot spells, but accommodation prices do spike if you don’t book early. The best months to visit are between October and April, when the crowds have disappeared and room rates drop; temperatures are lower but you’ll still be able to get out and about. For warmer weather visits, choose May or September, just before or after peak season.

Feeling excited about booking your Rome break? Don’t forget you can save money by using the Expedia search tool to book flights and Rome hotels at the same time.