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.
Fiumicino Airport, Rome’s main gateway for travellers arriving in the city
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 best Rome tours and experiences.
Follow the yellow sign "Train" to reach Leonardo Express platform at Fiumicino AirportWhether 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.
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 AirportAs you approach the Leonardo Express train platform at Fiumicino Airport, you’ll see a row of red Trainline self-service machines. Buying tickets here is easy—you can pay with cash or card.
At Termini Station, there are machines all over, but we prefer the ones inside the Trenitalia office on the platform level (open daily 6:30 am–10:05 pm). Turn left when you enter to reach the machines, and staff are always nearby if you need help.
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.
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.
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.
No, validation is usually not needed, but:
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.
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 luggageSometimes 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.
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 staysWe 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:
👉 See availability and book your stay at Sophie Terrace Hotel ➤
👉 Check dates and reserve your room at Nerva Boutique Hotel ➤
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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