Rome Fiumicino Airport

My recent experiences broadly reflect those already posted except that of Alan Mackenzie who was presumably at a different airport one which actually does have light airy modern buildings. If there is one adjective to describe FCO it is tired; another is chaotic. Our arrival via shuttle and a long walk neither of which is unusual for a major airport today saw us through passport control with ease. There was a slightly protracted wait for baggage in a hall whose ceiling seems low although it is not particularly so. More hiking takes one from the baggage claim area to the faintly anarchic and poorly signposted outside. Few concessions are made to those pushing trolleys (carts) as seems likely at an airport and sightlines are poor. It is clear that many of the taxi drivers are illegal or at least unofficial and one feels for a moment that one might be slightly further south. Tempted by the train we tried first to get the cheaper coach shuttle only to find that the one on stand was destined for the entirely inconvenient Ostiense Station. We went for the train after all the amusingly named Leonardo Express which at speeds varying between 40 and 60 km/h (indicated on a moving map) makes less than express progress through graffiti land to Termini. People choosing this route should be aware that the train arrives at the remarkable Platform 28 which is about 1000m short of the main concourse area (and taxis). I was frankly astonished when the man selling train tickets at FCO tried to sell me alternative coach shuttle tickets with the explanation that this alternative went to the concourse area. He may have had a good heart but I cannot imagine that his sideline had any kind of official sanction. Our return to FCO was unremarkable. A taxi ride from the centre is sufficiently frightening to diminish considerably any fear of flying. The check in area was again 'tired' but efficiently operated and security was smooth and pleasant. Directions to the boarding gates are poorly signposted. We saw little of the rest as we hid in the BA lounge. There is pier construction on the north side of the terminal complex which is evidence at least of intent to improve. I did notice however during our weekday stay that no-one seemed to be actually constructing anything.

In recent months I have passed in and out of Rome airport several times. Baggage areas are good if you like being with many people trying to get their baggage in a very small area. The wait times for baggage can be long but this waiting time does give you the opportunity to reflect on how old and dirty many parts of this airport are and wonder how the airport administration allowed this to happen. The airport does have many excellent cafes but be sure to have a coffee before flying out from the many gates which lack proper seating and are very overcrowded as you wait for your often delayed Alitalia flight. Priority Pass lounge is excellent and does have shower areas.

It is my worst airport experience so far landing was relatively easy but no signs for luggage have to ask couple of unhelpful people to find out where is luggage. Once you clear custom heaps of illegal taxi drivers try to hassle you as much as they could. Departing is worse than arrival. Long queuing for security check. Once you pass security the airport lounge is a joke. Boarding disorganised no business class boarding area.

I have been through many airports in Asia and Europe and this is the worst airport I have ever experienced. The facilities once you have cleared security are very poor with no pleasant restaurants or bars to relax before your flight. The seating is very bad with many chairs being damaged and uncomfortable. The signage is confusing and lacks logic and the airport is not clean.

The airport terminals are housed in light airy modern buildings. The signage is good and the flights are put up very early with the corresponding check in desk(s) shown. Although there appears to be general chaos everything works out quite well. The areas are kept clean and the food and drink is very moderately priced. Road and rail connections with Rome are very good.

Everything is poorly signposted at FCO and when you're late or in a rush to catch a flight you are doomed to get lost. This nightmare starts from the Railway station and ends at the gates. Terminals are dirty and dusty and construction seems to be everywhere and never ending. Toilets are dirty. Nets have to prevent pigeons to fly into the restaurants but apparently they have plenty of space to move around in the terminals as their droppings can be found everywhere! Rome is a beautiful city but sadly this does not count for its prime gateway to the country.

Europe's most shameful airport. Rude unhelpful staff. No wireless or even possibility to plug in a computer. I could not get a boarding pass for my connecting flight at the transfer desk. My luggage was not sent. After five days they sent one of the pieces to Ukraine - it was labelled to Moldova. After eight days they sent the second piece ( I am still waiting to see if it will be routed back to Sweden eventually). When calling about it I was told by disinterested staff that they had no possibility to help me.

I agree with the writer who said this is a tale of two airports. Last year I used Terminal 3 which is run down dirty and disorganised. This year I used Terminal one - a huge improvement. Much cleaner and well run. Check in and security clearance a breeze. Finally compared with some airports refreshments quite reasonably priced.

A total nightmare is what I would call my experience here. It took two and half hours to clear check in airport security and passport control. Without exception staff were either rude disinterested or unhelpful. The check in staff did not know what security check areas were open the wrong gate was listed for our departure Obviously the management company at the airport do not care about customer satisfaction and while I had a number of purchases I was about to make given the rudeness of the shop assistant to one of those travelling with me I did not proceed with the purchases. Many others on my flight did not even get a chance to look in the shopping area due to the inefficiency of the services prior to arriving in this area. I have no doubt that many hundreds of euros of business were lost on that flight alone. And I am sure that is replicated many times over every day.

Have had a very bad first impression of Fiumicino upon arrival. After a 11-hour transatlantic flight the plane parked far from the terminal to where we passengers were transported in crowded buses. Toilets in arrival lounge were filthy. And then the immigration lines (if there were in fact any) were a total chaos as other international flights kept on arriving one after another. Just a few counters no organization after all - I've never seen such a mess. However our experience when leaving Italy on a connecting flight in FCO was totally different. It took no longer than 40 minutes since our NAP-FCO flight landed until we reached our gate in Terminal 3. This time frame encompassed one bus transportation to arrival lounge immigration and a monorail transfer between terminals. Departure lounge with a broad range of options for catering and shopping including some high-end brands.