Help with post-cruise Civitavecchia hotel and transport

[WI Badger Fan]

We will be disembarking from our cruise on the morning of April 30 and scheduled our international flight back to the US on Monday, May 1. I've done some reading, but am still confused and undecided about plans. Could really use some help with the following:

 

1. There do not appear to be very many hotels near the Fiumicino airport. We are trying to decide whether to book one there, in Civatavecchia, or in Rome.

 

2. What is the easiest (would prefer it be reasonably priced) way to get from the port to the airport? Is it best to go into Rome and then back to the airport?

 

3. We will have some extra time to do a little exploring, but don't want to go far off track on our one day. Any suggestions, especially keeping in mind that we have to deal with our luggage.

 

Thank you!

Jim

[Hlitner]

So you have two issues, transportation and hotels. If your Monday flight is before noon then we would recommend staying somewhere near FCO. As you have noted, there are not a lot of choices. The most convenient hotel is the FCO Hilton, which actually has an overhead walkway from the front of the hotel right to the airport terminals. But this hotel is pricey. Another option is the Hilton Garden Inn, which is only a few minutes from the airport and has a free shuttle.

 

As to transportation, we generally prefer to arrange a private transfer through Romecabs...or one of the other reputable transfer companies recommended here on CC (do a search of this forum). If you get together with a few others on your Roll Call, the private transfer is very economical and nicer then dealing with cruise line transfer. If you would book a private transfer with a few others, you can specify when you book that they drop you at your selected hotel.

 

As to what you can do while out in the somewhat remote airport area....the ruins at Ostia Antica are only a short distance from the airport area and can easily be accessed by taxi (your hotel can make arrangments).

 

Hank

[cruisemom42]

This is one instance where I'd recommend just staying at a hotel at the airport. It should be easy to put together a shared private transfer to the airport (because many people will be flying out on that day), and they can then just drop you at your nearby hotel.

 

Sans luggage, you can either take a hotel shuttle into Rome (I know the Hilton has one) or return to the airport and take the train into Rome.

 

May 1 is a huge holiday in Italy and almost everything will be closed, so even if your flight is later, there's no point going into Rome; Ostia Antica will also be closed.

[WI Badger Fan]

Thank you for the tips on getting to the airport and hotel options. Another option we could consider is to stay in Civitavecchia on April 30 and going to the airport on the morning of May 1. Our flight leaves at 11:05. Would it be difficult finding a taxi to the airport on the morning of May 1 (it's a Monday)? Is there a town to walk around in Fiumicino?

 

Thanks again!

[WI Badger Fan]

After reading further, I did decide to book a room at the Hilton Garden Inn. Thank you to Hank for the idea. I read a little more about Fiumicino on Trip Advisor and it looks like it could be a fun town to walk around. The fact that we'll be there on a Sunday probably will limit some of our options, but I'm sure it will be fine. Anyone with personal experiences from Fiumicino?

[Hlitner]

Thank you for the tips on getting to the airport and hotel options. Another option we could consider is to stay in Civitavecchia on April 30 and going to the airport on the morning of May 1. Our flight leaves at 11:05. Would it be difficult finding a taxi to the airport on the morning of May 1 (it's a Monday)? Is there a town to walk around in Fiumicino?

 

Thanks again!

 

Regarding Civitavecchia, your hotel should be able to arrange for a taxi in the morning. Just keep in mind, as has been mentioned, that May 1 is a major National Holiday. As to Fiumcino, this is actually a seaside resort town located a few miles from the airport (FCO). There is a sea wall, promenade, beach, restaurants, etc. We actually had a very good (and reasonably priced) Italian seafood meal, one evening in Fiumcino. You would need to use a taxi to get between the seaside part of Fiumcino and the airport.

 

Hank