Rome Fiumicino Airport

Arriving at FCO is something of a nightmare. We stood in line for half- an-hour to get through immigration then waited another 45 minutes for our bags to show up. Citizens of other EU countries apparently have it easier at least with immigration. It's almost better to fly into Milano and take a plane train or bus (or rented car) to where you're going.

Arriving at this airport as usual was a dreadful experience long queues at immigration with less than half the desks open. Toilets are hard to find with queues to use the mens' facilities! Strangely departing is a much better experience.

Using FCO was a pleasant experience with only one glitch which might not have originated locally. Transfer from C Staellite to baggage was smooth but we had a very long wait for our bags and after only one delivery of BA bags we started being drowned in Air Canada. I had to protest in poor Italian to restore the BA bags which then came in a torrent. However there had been a handling problem at LHR so all the fault might not have been at FCO. Good signposting to rail station and on time train though I would think they could do with better than 1/2 hr frequency. Word of warning to the hard of moving the train comes in at Platform 27 at Termini station and that is a good 400m from the concourse as it is a short platform. The environment at FCO was pleasant and seemed uncrowded although on the return journey Terminal C seemed a bit gloomy and looked its age. Loads of shops and conspicuous cleanliness. Security had a light handed (but not inadequate) touch. Basically the friendliest I have experienced since 9/11. This fit in with my experience on my break as the people were friendly and the city charming.

Flew out of Rome Fiumicino to New York with Alitalia. High level of security in check-in area with 2 passport checkpoints before getting to the counter. No lines anywhere and easy to find counter the terminal is a little warm but there is great shopping and once you get to the satelite terminal the temperature is comfortable. Overall very efficient terminal and almost all of the staff were attentive and helpful.

I use FCO regularly. The "Leonardo" express train is a great way to get into Rome quickly (30 minutes) and for a reasonable price ( € 9.50 each way). I am mystified though as to why they don't offer a discounted round-trip ticket and do not operate their trains with departures on the hour/half-hour nor 24 hours a day. But considering that an equivalent taxi ride can cost € 60 and take longer it's a bargain that's hard to beat!

Arrived in Rome from Toronto and by the time I got off the plane took the speedy shuttle to the baggage area and was out the front door was no more than 15 minutes! I didn't know why my baggag was the first out or why the customs officers who were talking among themsels just waived me through with a flash of my passport but who am I to complain? Leaving was a whole different story. Great difficulty finding my ticket counter. The customs checkpoint was horribly inadequate. 3 booths open when all flight passengers were bottlenecking into the area and one officer decided to close up and take his break. Many people were complaining and saying they were going to miss their flights. We let those people through to the head of the line. They really need to fix this. Once through however the terminal is neat and clean with good views.

Since I moved to Rome I use this airport several times a year and I still didn't get used to it. It's a zoo very very dirty sometimes I don't even go to the restroom even if I have too because of this reason airport and alitalia staff is really unpolite and unresponsive they rather talk to each other smoke or have a coffee then help customers. It usually takes more time to go through security check then the actual national flight time. When I have intercontinental flight I understood it's impossible to stop at duty free shop too crowded lines too long and rude staff. When I arrive at FCO is even worse i usually wait for 45-50 minutes in baggage claim area after a 1 hour flight. Not even 1 person from the airport staff is there restrrooms are dirty and some nasty police guards are making fun at passengers waiting for baggage a way too long. The overall impression is that nothing works and people who are working in the airport don't care at all. I don't pretend it to be like HK airpot but at least something more near to an hub then a zoo.