Rome Fiumicino FCO Airport Guide: Terminals, Leonardo Express and EES
Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome, Italy: terminals, getting to the city, security, lounges and connections.
Quick answer: Rome Fiumicino has two passenger terminals in use, Terminal 1 for flights within the Schengen area and Terminal 3 for international flights. Flights to the US board at the E gates, reached from Terminal 3, many of them in a satellite building linked by a people mover. The Leonardo Express train runs nonstop from the airport station to Roma Termini in about 32 minutes. Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) records US travellers' fingerprints and a face image at the border; ETIAS is not in operation yet.
Facts checked November 2026. Schedules and entry rules change, so confirm with the airline and the official government site before you travel.
FCO at a glance
| Terminals | Terminal 1 (Schengen flights, ITA Airways' base) and Terminal 3 (international, non-Schengen) |
|---|---|
| US flights | E gates via Terminal 3; many in the satellite reached by people mover |
| Train to Rome | Leonardo Express, nonstop to Roma Termini in about 32 minutes |
| Other rail | FL1 regional train to Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina, not Termini |
| Taxi | Official white Rome taxis at the terminal ranks, fixed fare to central Rome |
| Entry for US citizens | EES registration at the first Schengen border; ETIAS not yet required |
Terminal 1 vs Terminal 3
Terminal 1 handles flights within Italy and to other Schengen countries, and it is the main base of ITA Airways, Italy's national airline. Terminal 3 is the international terminal, used for flights outside the Schengen area, including those to the US, the UK, the Middle East and Asia.
The two terminals are joined in one long building, so you can walk between them landside. Terminal 2 has closed. Older maps and bookings may still mention other terminals, so follow the terminal on your boarding pass.
Delta checks in at Terminal 3 and its flights leave from the E gates. American and United also fly to Rome from the US, and as of recent schedules their flights use Terminal 3 and the E gates as well, as all non-Schengen flights do. US airlines usually fly fewer Rome flights in winter than in summer, so check with the airline for current schedules.
The E gates and flying home to the US
The E gates are in the non-Schengen area. After check-in in Terminal 3 you go through security and then passport control, where EES logs your exit, before reaching the gates.
Many long-haul flights, including flights to the US, board in the satellite section of the E gates, which you reach by an automated people mover. Allow time for the ride and for any extra document checks at the gate on US-bound flights.
Airlines generally advise arriving 3 hours before a flight to the US. Summer mornings are especially busy at Fiumicino, when many transatlantic flights leave close together.
Fiumicino to Rome: Leonardo Express, FL1, bus and taxi
The Leonardo Express is the train most visitors want. It runs nonstop between the airport station and Roma Termini, Rome's main station, in about 32 minutes, with trains every 15 to 30 minutes through the day. The airport station is across from Terminal 3, reached by covered walkway from the arrivals hall.
The FL1 regional train is slower and stops at several stations, including Roma Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina. It does not go to Termini, but it can be closer for hotels in Trastevere or near Tiburtina.
Buses from several companies run from the terminal forecourt to Termini and other central stops. They are slower than the train, especially in traffic.
Take only official white Rome taxis from the marked ranks outside the terminals. They charge a fixed fare between the airport and central Rome, inside the Aurelian Walls, and the drive takes about 45 minutes in normal traffic. Ignore anyone offering a ride inside the arrivals hall.
EES and ETIAS: arriving in Italy as a US citizen
The EU's Entry/Exit System has been fully operational at Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026. At your first entry under EES, border police record your passport data, fingerprints and a facial image, and the system logs each entry and exit instead of stamping your passport.
If you fly nonstop from the US to Rome, you do this at Fiumicino. If you connect through another Schengen airport, such as Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt, you clear the border there and arrive in Rome as a domestic Schengen passenger at Terminal 1.
ETIAS, the travel authorisation that visa-free visitors such as US citizens will need, is not in operation yet. As of November 2026 no start date has been announced, and the EU says it will give several months' notice. Check travel-europe.europa.eu before you travel.
Connecting at Fiumicino
ITA Airways joined Star Alliance on 1 April 2026 and now uses Lufthansa's Miles and More program, so it connects with United and other Star Alliance airlines rather than SkyTeam. Many US travellers connect in Rome to ITA flights across Italy, such as Catania, Palermo, Naples or Venice.
Arriving from the US on a connection to a Schengen flight, follow the transfer signs to passport control, clear EES, then go through to Terminal 1. Allow extra time in summer, when the passport queues can be long.
If your two flights are on separate tickets, you must collect your bags, check in again and go through security, so leave a generous gap.
Lounges and practical tips
In the E gates area, ITA Airways runs its Piazza di Spagna lounge, and several airline and independent lounges are there too. Entry depends on your ticket, status or card, and some lounges sell access when space allows.
Fiumicino has free Wi-Fi. Italy uses Type C, F and L plugs, so bring an adapter for US devices.
Validate a regional train ticket before boarding if it is a paper ticket, or tap a contactless card where the gates accept it. Inspectors fine passengers with unvalidated tickets.
Route guides to Rome (FCO)
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Leonardo Express from Fiumicino to Termini?
About 32 minutes nonstop, with trains every 15 to 30 minutes through the day. The station is a short covered walk from Terminal 3.
Which terminal do US flights use at Rome Fiumicino?
Terminal 3, the international terminal, with boarding at the E gates. Delta, American and United all use it as of recent schedules; check your boarding pass.
What is the difference between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at Fiumicino?
Terminal 1 handles Schengen flights and is ITA Airways' base. Terminal 3 handles international non-Schengen flights, including to the US.
Does the FL1 train go to Roma Termini?
No. FL1 stops at Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina, among others. For Termini, take the Leonardo Express.
Do Americans need ETIAS for Italy?
Not yet. ETIAS is not in operation and has no announced start date as of November 2026. EES fingerprint and photo registration at the border is in place.
Do Fiumicino taxis charge a fixed fare to central Rome?
Yes. Official white Rome taxis charge a fixed fare to central Rome inside the Aurelian Walls. Check the current amount posted at the taxi rank.
Is ITA Airways in Star Alliance?
Yes, since 1 April 2026. It left SkyTeam and now uses Lufthansa's Miles and More program.
