Leonardo Express - Best Way to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome (2026)

We love taking the Leonardo Express from Fiumicino Airport to Rome—it’s a quick, pleasant 32-minute ride

Have you heard about the Leonardo Express train?

We love taking it when travelling to Rome from Fiumicino Airport.

The ride takes exactly 32 minutes, and it’s a non-stop service that runs every 15–20 minutes, taking you straight to Termini Station.

After having a bad experience with a shuttle bus (which ended with a stolen suitcase), we tried the Leonardo Express—and we’ve been hooked ever since.

We’ve taken it numerous times, and every ride was smooth and comfortable.

In our Leonardo Express guide, you’ll find:

• Leonardo Express schedule in 2026
• Ticket price for 2026
• Where to find the trains
• Easiest way to buy tickets
• Luggage rules on the trains
• When is a private transfer worth it?
• Best hotels near Termini Station
  
  

Everything you need to know about the Leonardo Express

Leonardo Express train schedule for 2026

• Fiumicino to Roma Termini - first train at 5:38 AM / last train at 12:23 AM
• Roma Termini to Fiumicino - first departure 4:50 AM / last departure 11:35 AM
  
  

How long is the train ride on the Leonardo Express?

What we love about the Leonardo Express is that it takes just 32 minutes non-stop from Fiumicino Airport to Rome (about 30 km). Once on board, you can grab any available seat—there’s no assigned seating.

👉 Airport transfer sorted? Now explore the top Roman experiences!

Follow the yellow sign "Train" to reach Leonardo Express platform at Fiumicino Airport

Where to find the Leonardo Express train at Fiumicino Rome Airport?

Whether you arrive at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, it's easy to find your way to the Leonardo Express train platform at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

• From Terminal 3
  After Customs, follow the yellow “Train” signs. Take the escalators on the left, then walk 4–5 minutes to reach the Leonardo Express platform.
• From Terminal 1
  After Customs, follow the “Train” signs. Take the elevator on the right up to Level 2, then continue following the signs. It’s about a 9–10 minute walk to the Leonardo Express platform.
  
  

What’s the simplest way to purchase Leonardo Express tickets?

There are three ways to buy Leonardo Express tickets—choose the one that’s most convenient for you.

You’ll find plenty of ticket machines near the train platform at Fiumicino Airport

1. Getting Leonardo Express Tickets from Ticket Machines

• At Fiumicino Airport, follow the signs to the Leonardo Express platform. Near the platform, you’ll see red Trainline ticket machines. You can easily buy tickets with cash or a card.
• At Termini Station, ticket machines are everywhere. The easiest ones to use are inside the Trenitalia office on the platform level, open daily from 6:30 am to 10:05 pm. Turn left when you enter to find the machines. Staff are nearby if you need help.

2. Buying Leonardo Express tickets at the ticket window/office

Trenitalia ticket office at Termini Station (inside you can also find ticket machines)

A few steps from the ticket machines is a ticket window with helpful, English-speaking staff. You can buy Leonardo Express tickets here in just a few minutes, as the lines are usually short.

At Termini Station, there is a Trenitalia office on the platform level (open daily 6:30 a.m. to 10:05 p.m.). You can buy train tickets here for Naples, Florence, Venice, and other destinations in Italy. Lines form, but they move quickly.

3. Purchasing Leonardo Express tickets on Trainline website

Getting Leonardo Express tickets online is great if you want to save time when you land at Fiumicino. You’ll have your ticket ready on your mobile, and you can go straight to the train to reach Rome faster.

TRAINLINE is a great website for buying Leonardo Express tickets in just a few clicks! You’ll get digital tickets, and you can easily change the travel time online if needed.

Do I need to validate Leonardo Express tickets?

✅ If you buy a paper ticket at the station (from a machine or ticket counter)

Yes, you must validate it before boarding.

All paper Leonardo Express tickets must be validated. Look for “convalidare sul retro” (“validate on the back”). Use the green machines on the platform—listen for a click. 👉 Skip this, and you could face a €50 fine!

The Leonardo Express tickets are checked onboard, so have them ready.

✅ If you buy your ticket online or via app

No, validation is usually not needed, but:

• Check the ticket time — some digital tickets are time-specific or have a 4-hour window.
• You may be required to activate the ticket in the app before use (similar to validation).
  
  

Where to catch Leonardo Express train at Termini Station?

Finding the Leonardo Express at Termini Station is easy—trains always leave from platforms 23 or 24, near the Coin department store.

Getting to Termini is simple by metro, bus, or taxi. From Sophie Terrace Hotel, it’s just a 5-minute walk. From Laurina 33 near Piazza di Spagna, we usually take a taxi.

What is the luggage allowance on the Leonardo Express train service?

We love that Leonardo Express trains have plenty of comfortable seats and luggage space. Large suitcases go in the luggage areas at the front or back of each car, while smaller bags fit on the overhead racks.

If the train isn’t crowded, we keep our suitcases with us. Otherwise, we sit near the luggage area for easy access and quick exit.

Travel in comfort on the Leonardo Express, with roomy seats

Leonardo Express train boats plenty of room for luggage

Best way to get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome: Leonardo Express or car transfer?

Sometimes it’s worth spending an extra €20–30 on a private car transfer from Rome Fiumicino Airport, especially when we’re in a group or have lots of luggage—it’s tough managing suitcases on a crowded train.

We usually book with Welcome Pickups online and get all the transfer details by email. The driver is always waiting with a sign, so there’s no stress.

It’s great to be escorted to the car and let the driver handle everything.

We’ve never had to update them about flight delays, and the cost—around €60—is just a bit more than a regular taxi.

🚖 Why we love Welcome Pickups transfers

1. Taxi-level prices with premium service
2. Easy and straightforward booking
3. Meet-and-greet service in the arrival hall
4. Available worldwide, including Rome, Naples, Bari, Florence, Bologna, Venice, and Milan

Once you arrive by Leonardo Express to Termini Station...

Once you arrive to Termini, you can easily find a taxi or use metro to reach your hotel or apartment.

Some parts of Rome are not served by metro (such as Trastevere), so you'll need to take a taxi. From Termini you can catch a metro to Spanish Steps, the Vatican or the Colosseum area.

The breathtaking view from Sophie Terrace Hotel near Rome's Termini Station — a favourite spot we always look forward to during our stays

Where to stay near Termini Station: Our top hotel picks

We found it convenient to stay close to Termini Station, so we can easily reach our accommodation once we arrive by Leonardo Express train. These are our two favourites:

Sophie Terrace Hotel

• Just a 4–5 minute walk from Termini station
• Warm, friendly staff who welcome you like an old friend
• Comfortable and spacious rooms
• Beautiful rooftop terrace - perfect spot to relax, enjoy fresh air, and have a drink after a day of exploring the city

👉 See availability and book your stay at Sophie Terrace Hotel ➤

Nerva Boutique Hotel

• It's about a 15-minute walk from Roma Termini - Walk straight down Via Cavour, turn right onto Via di Tor de' Conti. You’ll find yourself just steps away from the Colosseum.
• A charming small hotel in the heart of Rome, offering a warm, homely atmosphere and comfortable, cosy rooms.
• Friendly and attentive staff.
• Tasty breakfast served in the ground-floor restaurant — a great way to start your day.

👉 Check dates and reserve your room at Nerva Boutique Hotel ➤

🏷️ Need to drop your luggage at Termini? Here’s how:

When we have a few hours in Rome before heading to Florence, the big question is: where to leave our bags?

We usually use the luggage deposit at Termini, open daily 7AM–9PM, costing about €10– €12 per bag, per day.

From the train, we take the left exit toward Via Giolitti, walk past the Coin Department Store, enter the tunnel, and right by the car rental area is the luggage room. Easy!

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