Rome, Italy
Rome travel guide
Two thousand years of history on foot
- Airports
- FCO Rome Fiumicino Airport
- Region
- Europe
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October are warm and pleasant.
- Shortest flight
- 8h 10m from Boston
- Round trips from
- $357 (live)
- Time zone
- Europe/Rome
About Rome
Rome's historic center is compact: the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine in the ancient quarter; the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain in the baroque center; the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's across the river; and Trastevere's trattorias and lanes to the south. Testaccio has the food market and the most authentic Roman cooking.
Getting in: the Leonardo Express train runs from Fiumicino to Termini station in 32 minutes (€14); regional FL1 trains are cheaper for Trastevere and Ostiense. Licensed white taxis charge a flat €50 to anywhere inside the Aurelian walls. Ciampino, the second airport, serves European low-cost carriers.
US citizens need a passport valid three months beyond departure from Schengen; no visa for 90 days. The EU's ETIAS authorization is expected — check before travel. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some euros for cafés and markets. Service (coperto) is usually included; leaving a euro or two is appreciated. Cacio e pepe, supplì and gelato are essentials; skip restaurants with photo menus near major sights.
Best time to visit
April–June and September–October are warm and pleasant. July–August is hot and crowded; November–March is mild, quieter and the best value.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: Centro Storico, Trastevere, Monti, Prati, Testaccio.
Flights to Rome: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to FCO usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 8h 30m | $528 | $357 · Wed, Nov 4 | Search dates → |
| Boston (BOS) | 8h 10m | $548 | $405 · Tue, Nov 10 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 9h 30m | $628 | $489 · Wed, Dec 2 | Search dates → |
| Atlanta (ATL) | 10h | $648 | $480 · Wed, Nov 18 | Search dates → |
| Miami (MIA) | 10h 20m | $628 | $482 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 12h 10m | $698 | $563 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
Airports in Rome
What to do in Rome
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill
One ticket covers all three; book the official site's timed entry weeks ahead and go at opening.
- 2
Vatican Museums and St. Peter's
The Sistine Chapel at the end of a 4-mile museum route; early-entry tickets are worth the premium. St. Peter's is free but security lines are long.
- 3
Pantheon and the centro storico
The best-preserved ancient building in the world (small entry fee), then Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori and the Trevi Fountain at night.
- 4
Trastevere
Cobbled lanes, Santa Maria in Trastevere and the city's densest cluster of trattorias.
- 5
Testaccio Market and the Appian Way
Roman food where Romans eat, and a bike ride along the ancient road past catacombs and aqueducts.
Rome weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
55° / 38°
Mild and sometimes rainy; empty sights.
Spring
68° / 49°
Warm and green; Easter crowds.
Summer
88° / 66°
Hot; siesta hours matter.
Fall
70° / 53°
Warm September, golden October.
Travel tips for Rome
- Book the Colosseum and Vatican Museums on their official sites as soon as your dates are set.
- Take the Leonardo Express or a flat-fare €50 taxi from the airport; refuse unlicensed drivers.
- Carry a refillable bottle — the city's nasoni fountains provide free cold water everywhere.
- Churches enforce a dress code: shoulders and knees covered.
- Rome shuts down for lunch and on Sunday afternoons in the neighborhoods; plan sightseeing accordingly.
Rome flights: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Rome's airport to the city?
The Leonardo Express train takes 32 minutes to Termini (€14). Licensed taxis charge a fixed €50 to central Rome. Allow 45–60 minutes either way.
Do I need to book the Colosseum in advance?
Yes — timed entry regularly sells out, especially April–October. Buy from the official Parco archeologico site to avoid marked-up resellers.
Is Rome walkable?
Very. The main sights sit within a two-mile radius; the Metro is limited but useful for the Vatican and Colosseum, and buses cover the rest.
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