We've travelled from Dubrovnik to Rome many times over the years!
Here, we share insider tips from our travels, from short trips to longer adventures.

We cover everything you need to know, including:
In this Dubrovnik-to-Rome diary-style guide, we share our personal tips and experiences to help you make the most of your trip.
Ryanair has frequent flights, and the journey takes just 1h 15min — sometimes even less!Flying from Dubrovnik to Rome is really easy, with the flight taking around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Our top pick for years was Vueling Airlines, but unfortunately, they no longer operate this route.
Ryanair now operates this route from April to October. We’ve flown with them a few times and found the flights quick, easy and pleasant.
Croatia Airlines is another option and operates year-round with two direct flights weekly. Other days they have connected flights with stops in Zagreb and Split. We took this flight ones and it was overal fine, with having to change plane in Zagreb, while we stayed in the plane in Split.
From our experience, we prefer Croatia Airlines because the flights feel a little more comfortable. That said, Ryanair is usually cheaper, especially when booking a late flight.
Flights from Dubrovnik to Rome are frequent from April until end of October, but during the winter only Croatia Airlines flies (twice a week).
You can opt for flying first to Zagreb and then catching Ryanair flight to Rome. For flying directly to Florence, you could opt for taking a plane to Pisa and then taking train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella. We suggest you to buy your plane tickets well ahead to find the cheapest ones. However, Vueling regularly offer sales so you can save a few euros.
The flight itself takes just about 1.5 hours, but we usually allow extra time at the airport, since Dubrovnik’s terminal can get busy during peak season. Fiumicino is well-connected to the city by train, and from there it’s easy to catch a high-speed train to Florence.
Prices vary a lot depending on the season, but we usually pay between €60 and €120 per ticket when booked in advance. Occasionally, Ryanair offers cheaper deals if your schedule is flexible.
The first time we went to Rome, we took an airport shuttle bus—and what a mistake that was! One of our suitcases was stolen.
Fortunately, we discovered the Leonardo Express, a direct, non-stop train running between Fiumicino Airport and Roma Termini.
Since then, we usually take the Leonardo Express.
The journey takes just 32 minutes, and trains generally run every 15 minutes, although during some periods they operate every 30 minutes.
At Fiumicino Airport, just follow the yellow “Train” signs — they’ll lead you straight to the Leonardo Express to RomeAnother great thing is that you don’t need to go outside the airport.
The railway station is located inside Fiumicino Airport and is connected to the terminals by a covered pedestrian walkway.
When we arrive at Terminal 3, we collect our luggage and then take the elevator to Level 2. From there, it’s about a 5–6-minute walk to the train station and platforms.
👉 We’ve put together a complete guide to the Leonardo Express, including tickets, finding trains, and more!
Once we arrive at Termini, we usually take a taxi to our accommodation if it’s farther away.
If we’re staying at the Sophie Terrace Hotel, we simply walk—it’s only about a 5-minute walk from the station.
When we stayed at Otto Rooms, near Piazza Mazzini in Prati, we took a taxi, which cost us €15.
The taxi rank is at Piazza del Cinquecento. During peak season, the queue can be pretty long.

Traveling this route frequently has taught us a lot — sometimes the hard way! One big lesson: always leave plenty of time between connections.
We’ve missed trains or scrambled through airports more times than we care to admit, especially when flights are delayed or trains get crowded. Now, we build in buffer time so we can relax instead of rushing.
Booking tickets early is another game-changer. We used to wait until the last minute, only to pay more or miss out on the best seats. Nowadays, we use apps like Omio to compare routes and prices, and always book flights and trains a few weeks ahead if possible.
Also, keep your airline and train apps handy. Mobile tickets and real-time updates have saved us more than once when plans changed unexpectedly.
In short: plan smart, stay flexible, and always expect the unexpected — that’s how we keep our trips smooth and enjoyable.
Rome is a city that deserves more than just a quick stop — its rich history, vibrant neighbourhoods, and amazing food always keep us coming back.
Whether we’re marveling at the Colosseum, wandering through the charming streets of Trastevere, or grabbing espresso at a tiny café, those few days give us a chance to slow down and really soak in the Roman atmosphere.
In our view, spring is the perfect time to enjoy Rome.
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