When in Rome, be prepared to queue....

Advantages: Can get you anywhere in the world, train station attached
Disadvantages: Long queues, rude staff causing delays, long wait for bags, not much shopping

...Personally, I hate to read a review on an airline or airport which someone has only visited one time. No matter how detailed, I'll generally consider it not useful (and sometimes avoid rating at all in an attempt to be nice if they've clearly made an effort) just because they can vary so much journey to journey. The staff, the flights being late, the weather, anything can affect how an airport or airline operates, and I don't find it fair to judge on just one trip. If I had written this review after my first encounter with Rome's Fiumicino airport, I undoubtedly would have given it a glowing report. Now? Not so much...I have now flown in and out of FCO about five times this year, and more often than not have encountered some kind of delay or problem, as have my friends both Italian and British who I've discussed it with. Apparently...

bamamo 23.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Rome - Fiumicino (FCO)

Not the best place to start a visit to Rome

Advantages: Near to Rome ... but then again so is the airport at Ciampino!
Disadvantages: Poor Directional Signs, Messy, Poor staff

...I have flown to and from Italy on many occasions using different airlines and airports but it has to be said that everytime I pass through this airport I always say it will be the last time. Shops that open and close at strange hours, poor staff manners, poor cleanliness, lack of decent directional signs... where does one start. I can only say that with all the changes taking place with the Italian national carrier, I suppose as this is one of there main bases, some problems are only to be expected, but Fiumicino is really quite a big headache between departure and arrival for most travellers. If you get a choice between this or other aiports in Italy, maybe it could be benificial to avoid this airport if you can, or at least to be aware that you could expect a few problems. I hope you don't and that things will change there, if you...

joyrider107 23.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of Rome - Fiumicino (FCO)

Rome's Second Airport - OK for the Pope!

Advantages: Small and well connected
Disadvantages: Few Shops and Bars, Small Check-In area

...I first flew into Ciampino nearly 10 years ago and it was really very poor back then, mainly due to the fact it was being extended and extensively rebuilt. It now could be classed as reasonable, at least it is still small enough to nearly not get lost in, unlike Rome's other airport - see separate review. If you fly in to the Italian capital using one of the many budget airlines, it is almost guaranteed that you will arrive at this airport, but do not worry, it is well connected to the city itself and is much more user-friendly than Fiumicino is. The main drawback is that there is little to do there with only a few shops and bars, but as most of you will be flying "budget", there is hardly time to waste as generally you don't spend too much time in the airport anyway. Overall, a decent relatively straight forward airport, no frills...

joyrider107 23.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of Rome-Ciampino Airport

Best 1 star hotel I have stayed at

Advantages: Nice rooms, good breakfast with excellent coffee
Disadvantages: Located a bit out of town, no safe, next to the railway,shower curtain

...I was thrilled when I got the message that we would be going on a company trip to Rome. Since I had been there before I got the task of finding a hotel. Finding a hotel for 24 people in central Rome in October turned out to be quite a difficult task. Many of the centrally located hotels are smaller and many were fully booked. In the end we decided to stay at Express By Holiday Inn San Giovanni located at Via Assisi 53. We had to pay 125 ? per room. Arriving in Rome We landed in Rome at about 11 am in the morning of October 21st. We walked over to the train station at Leonardo da Vinci airport also known as Fiumicino (FCO). From here you can take the Leonardo Express to Termini but since the hotel is located on the way we decided to go for a local train direction Orte-Fara Sabina for 5 ? and after about 30-40 we reached the train...

gard 29.10.2006 · Read review
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Review of Express Holiday Inn San Giovanni, Rome

Aurora

Advantages: Position, cleanliness, staff
Disadvantages: None although may be too quiet for some

...Reasons for choosing this hotel: We chose this hotel for the first couple of nights of a two week self-drive tour in July 07 based on it's proximity to Rome and the fact that the area is rich in history - fabulous Villas built as it was one of the most popular destinations of Roman emperors due to the sulphur springs and spa waters which are still thought to be of the highest quality. Directions: Tivoli is to the North East of Rome and is easily accessible from both Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino airports. Join the Rome Ring Road and exit at Junction 13 (head towards Tivoli), the hotel is approximately 10km from this junction. The hotel is also easily reached from the centre of Rome by public transport - the railway station Bagni di Tivoli is 1km away and the bus-stop on the main Rome-Tivoli line is 300m from the hotel. Hotel...

BristolBud 06.02.2008 (09.01.2008) · Read review
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Review of Aurora, Tivoli

Nice place to stay on a budget!

Advantages: Location, Price!
Disadvantages: 4th floor, no lift...

...answer from Hotel Colors, where there was available a double room without private bathroom for only 80 euros per night. We made the reservation, giving our VISA card number and went to Rome without knowing much things about there place we were going to stay. The Hotel website has a map to reach the place, which we followed. So, after leaving the Fiumicino (Leonardo Da Vinci) international airport, we got the train to Termini, and finally the Metro to Ottaviano. The map was very simple, and after a 10 minutes walk we reached it. Our first impression was good. The reservation was registered and the bedroom waiting for us, clean and nice. Like the name says, it?s a coloured place, full of strong vivid tones, which makes it look modern, young and nice! In the following days the good impression was maintained. But, though it...

R_A_C 15.06.2007 · Read review
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Review of Hotel Colors, Rome

HOTEL IMPERO, ROME - GREAT BASE TO EXPLORE

Advantages: LOCATION
Disadvantages: Bar shuts too early

...over Rome. The bar area is small but it has comfortable chairs for you to relax. NOTE - Don't be expecting a late night in this bar because it closed early in the evening. ************GETTING TO HOTEL************ I thought I would add this bit in, as this is always something that nobody seems to be able to tell you and is a nightmare to find out !!!! From Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO): Catch the train from the airport terminal to Rome Termini central train station. From Rome Ciampino airport (CIA): Catch the Terravision shuttle bus to Rome Termini central train station. From Termini central railway station the Hotel is about 5 minutes walk away. From the big piazza in front of the station, turn left onto Via Cavour. After about 100 metres turn right onto Via Principe Amedeo, then at the end of the street turn left onto Via Del...

traveller10 16.06.2007 · Read review
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Review of Hotel Impero, Rome

Not As Nice As The Sweeties

Advantages: Ok
Disadvantages: Nothing more

...a corner to get to the conveyer belts. The facilities are nothing special, but if it?s a choice of flying budget here or full-fare to Fiumicino then I know which one I?d choose ? you end up saving money twice, firstly on the flight and then by them having nothing to spend it on at the airport when you leave, and what could be better than that?...

zoe_page 28.08.2003 · Read review
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Review of Rome-Ciampino Airport

Milan "No Ashtray" Malpensa

Advantages: Clean, Loads of restaurants, comfy seats
Disadvantages: No where to smoke

...Handling provides 80% of ramp services mostly thanks to its major customer Alitalia. In May 2006, Italy\'s Civil Aviation Authority took off the limitation of two ramp handlers. Aviapartner and ARE Group announced that they would create a new company called Aviapartner (owned 51% by Aviapartner and 49% ARE Group) to serve Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino. There are fears that luggage mishandling will go up. Aviapartner has started operating serving Iberia flights and signing more contracts as time has gone on. However, SEA Handling maintains a dominant position and is reorganising itself to be more competitive by going from a monopolistic mentality to free market one. Airport security services have been transferred in 2000 from the Polizia di Stato (State Police) to SEA which created an internal division called SEA Airport Security. Up...

gt5952 19.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of Milan - Malpensa (MXP)

The Italian Job

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Rubbish cars, no customer service

...in April. The best they could do for me was a C class. I asked when the next C class would be come available (I was at the airport at the time and day I had stipulated on the booking) I was told it could be any time up to 24 hours. Very reluctantly I took the c class being told that I would receive compensation and no quibble refund etc. the car that I was presented with was filthy inside and out and was far too small for a family of four with three large cases and assorted backpacks etc for a two week holiday. We all squeezed into a smart forour which was clearly far too small and dangerous. The guy we were talking to wasn't interested and really wanted us to clear off. We stood our ground and eventually he suggested that we drive to Rome's other airport Fiumicino where we could exchange this car for the one we wanted at the Sixt branch...

paddy371 02.08.2005 · Read review
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Review of Sixt