Flight
For international travel, you will fly into Aeroporto di Roma- Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci (Airport code FCO). For international travel to Italy, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure. You have a few options for transportation from FCO to your accomodation. In my opinion the most convenient is to take a taxi. There is a taxi line just outside the exit from baggage claim. (Below I will discuss taxi app info for your trip in general, however, when leaving the airport you cannot use the taxi apps and have to join the taxi line). In my experience the line is never a long wait and I use this almost every time I travel! If you are staying anywhere within the Rome city center it is a flat rate of €55. Before entering the taxi, confirm with the driver that your address is within that center circle and that they will accept card (if you do not have euros ahead of time). Every taxi accepts cards, however, clarify ahead of time in order to not experience being scammed and being forced to pay cash at a higher rate than the set rate of €55. This happened to me on my very first visit to Rome and I learned my lesson! Your next option is to take the train to the city center. You will follow the signs in the airport from baggage claim to the Leonardo Express Train. This cost €14 per person and is non-stop between Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Termini Station. From Termini station you can access the Metro A and B lines, buses, as well as a taxi line to get to your final destination. You can download and purchase tickets for the Leonard Express Train on the Trenitalia app, or at the Trenitalia kiosks when you arrive to the train station within the airport. Make sure to validate your app purchased ticket (by clicking validate) before the train leaves the station. You can also book, in advance, an NCC Italian licensed private chauffeur for pick up through different companies online!
Travel Note
We do not recommend renting a car in Rome. Rome has a lot of traffic and if you are unfamiliar with driving in Italy, you may struggle with understanding road signs, non-entry zones that will cost you hefty fines, as well as the general unspoken rules of Italian drivers. Rome is known for lacking in parking and it is impossible to find parking or it is non existent in the city center or near monuments/attractions. Of course if this feels best for you and your travel plans, you can of course rent a car at Fiumicino! Depending on your rental, you may be required to have an international drivers license which can be acquired at AAA locations in the US. Alternatively, we recommend using taxis, Ubers, buses, and the underground metro. These are all very easy to navigate! Google Maps provides all these options when needing to determine the best mode of transport to arrive to your destination. You may also consider scheduling a private driver, whom are licensed under Italy's NCC. This option whether it be from the airport or to get you to the wedding venue, may provide a piece of mind, as you can book and schedule online, in advance, as well as choose the size car you'd prefer (similar to Uber) based on your group size.
Travel Note
Before your trip, we recommend you downloading the itTaxi app. By putting in your cc info ahead of time, you will be able to use this app like Uber to request a taxi from anywhere in Rome. This app is also connected to Uber and provides Uber as an option as well! You can use the Uber app directly here in Rome as well, however, only Uber blacks are available here. Another app to download ahead of time is called FreeNow. This is the taxi app that is connected to Google Maps and will open when you choose the taxi option to get to your destination from Google Maps. (This is what I use often and never have a problem!) Rome is definitely walkable within the city center, however, you may want to use public transportation to get to and from major monuments and/or your accommodations. For the buses and metros, you can purchase tickets at the ATAC kiosks in the metro and train stations, however, they all take "tap and go pay" from your phone or credit card (€1.50 per ride) to make using them so simple and easy! I take the metro often, as its easy to navigate!
Travel Note
For your accommodations in Rome, you are free to chose what works best for your budget and overall plans for your trip. Unlike the US, Rome does not easily provide the opportunity to reserve blocks of hotel space. Alternatively, we have provided recommendations for a few 4-star hotels in different neighborhoods. Rome has an abundance of hotels and incredible Airbnbs, so feel free to search for yourselves to find what works best for your travel plans. If you are someone with either Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Radisson or Best Western points, there are multiple locations within the Rome's city center to choose from. On the "things to do" tab, we have provided further information about Rome's neighborhoods, so feel free to utilize that information to help choose what neighborhood feels best to stay in during your trip! The castle is located just outside the city center, in the most northern part of Rome and approximately a 20-30 minute max taxi ride from most parts of the city (shorter distance from the northern neighborhoods)! We recommend not staying in the far South of Rome and staying no further south than the neighborhoods of Celio (Colosseum, Roman Forum) and San Giovanni (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano). Just north of the Colosseum, you will find the most central neighborhoods of Monti (Piazza Venezia/Monumento Vittorio Emaneule, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore), and Centro Storico (Trevi fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona). Just west of the River Tiber (which runs North/South through Rome) are the neighborhoods of Trastevere (Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, Piazza Trilussa) and Prati (Vatican City, Castel Sant' Angelo). The Northern part of Rome, includes Villa Borghese (Borghese gardens and museums), Piazza del Popolo (the northern gates of Rome) and Spagna (Spanish Steps). The most northern neighborhoods include Flaminio, Parioli, Salario, and Tor di Quinto (closest to venue/where we live!).
Hotel
This hotel is located in North Rome, in the Salario/ Parioli neighborhood. A chic area, quieter than Centro Storico, (however not too far to walk to the central attractions- 28 min. walk to Barberini Metro- the nearest to Trevi Fountain/Centro Storico) surrounded by cute boutique shops and restaurants. This hotel has a great restaurant and coffee bar in its lobby, giving super cute vibes! Less than a 10 minute walk to Villa Borghese. (14 minute taxi drive to the wedding venue).
Hotel
This hotel is located in the beautiful Prati nieghborhood, just blocks away from the historic Castel Sant' Angelo and only a 15 minute walk to Vatican City/ St. Peter's Basilica. It has a chic rooftop bar and restaurant with a view of the Vatican and Castel Sant' Angelo. Less than a 15 minute walk to cross the river and arrive at Piazza del Popolo, accessing the city center. (16 minute taxi drive to the wedding venue).
Hotel
This hotel is as central as it gets, located in Centro Storico, just north of Monti, making it ideal to walk to all the major must see sites! Only a 15 minute walk to the Coloseum, 8 minute walk to the Trevi Fountain. (21 minute taxi drive to the wedding venue).
Hotel
This hotel is located in the charming, cobblestone neighborhood of Trastevere. My personal favorite neighborhood in Rome as it has some of the best restaurants in the city and you truly feel the Roman vibes! Trastevere also has a ton of boutique shops and known for their nightlife nearby Piazza Trilussa. On the southwest side of the river it is about a 25/30 minute walk to Centro Storico (Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona), as well as to Piazza Venezia. (22 minute taxi drive to the wedding venue).
Hotel
This hotel is located in the far most northern part of the city, in the neighborhood Tor di Quinto. This would be an option for those looking for a hotel near the wedding venue (an 8 minute taxi drive to the wedding venue). This location is too far to reach the city center by foot and is not accessible by metro, requiring taxi (18 min. taxi to Trevi fountain/ 25 min. taxi to Colosseum).
Travel Note
Lastly, please do not hesitate to reach out, via text or however, to help with any of your travel plans, as we are more than happy to assist you. Booking things abroad can be intimidating and it would truly be a pleasure to help you confirm that you are making the best decisions to assure you have the best time in Rome!