Rome Fiumicino Airport Guide

FCO Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

What to Expect

Rome Fiumicino Airport (code: FCO) is a large, old airport renovated in sections over the decades. Your experience will depend mainly on your terminal: Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4. Expect a decent amount of walking, especially if you’re transferring to or from a long-haul flight.

This being Italy, you’ll find a range of eateries offering coffee, pizza, and pasta, plus shops and Italian fashion brands. Several cafes are open 24 hours. Travellers appreciate the free WiFi, the rest zone near the D Gates, and the pay-to-use shower facilities at the entrance of Terminals 1 and 3. Economy class passengers can upgrade their layover by paying to enter several airport lounges.

Sleeping in Fiumicino Airport

As a busy hub, there are always travellers catching some shuteye here. Seating varies across the four terminals, but it is generally limited and equipped with armrests. On the airside, there are a few solid sleep spots that have reclining chairs, sofas, or armrest-free benches. If you prefer to stretch out on the floor, bring blankets, a sleeping mat, or a sleeping bag to provide cushion and warmth on the cold tile. Expect fewer sleep spots if you’re staying in the landside area, so you may end up on the cold, tiled floor. Check out any restaurants that are closed – you may be able to spread out on their padded seating.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

• In Terminal 1, head to Gates E12 and further for big red sofas. Gate E52 might have lounge chairs, too.
• The best seating may be near the B and D Gates. Gates B9, B11, and D1 are noted for reclining chairs.
• Lounge-style chairs may be located near Gate H3.
• In Terminal 2, head upstairs for about a dozen reclining chairs; it may be quieter, too.
• Most cafes and restaurants close for the night, so try to grab a couch or soft bench inside one for the evening.

Common complaints are the bright lights and cold temps, so bring an eye mask and an extra layer.

There is conflicting information regarding when travellers are able to pass through security. One reader (2019) wrote that they could not pass through to the secure zone until three hours before their flight, while another was able to pass through nine hours before their flight. Plan ahead just in case you need to stay in the public zone.

For uninterrupted sleep, one transit hotel is inside the airport, and another connects to Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Additional area hotels offer free shuttle service for guests. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.

Read traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Fiumicino Airport Guide.

Airport Hours

The airport closes for a few hours at night to be cleaned.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

The airport has set up a few areas with reclining seating. A traveller (August 2018) tells us there are two rest zones near the D Gates, specifically one at Gate D1, which was comfortable for sleeping except for the bright lights. Unfortunately, we do not have additional information.

Take precautions even when sleeping in the rest zones. In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them. Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.

Rome Airport Hotels

Quick Facts

• Nearest Hotel:  Inside the Airport
• Sleep Cabins or Pods: Yes
• Day Rooms: Yes
• Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes

When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair is giving you nightmares, there are options for those of you who are looking to sleep at Fiumicino Airport in comfort.   Unfortunately, if you are on a layover, you will have to pass through security as there are no transit hotels. Once you are in the public section, HelloSky offers simple rooms that can be booked in three or six-hour time slots for a quick nap. For overnight stays, the Hilton is connected to the airport by a covered walkway. Several nearby hotels provide free or paid airport shuttles.

Hotels at Fiumicino Airport

• HelloSky – Located landside/public area in front of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. The hotel is connected by a covered walkway. The facility provides air rooms, a lounge, showers and meeting rooms. The air rooms include a double or single bed, private bathroom and shower. Day-use rooms are available for three or six hours between 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Day rates from 65€ (3 hours)/90€ (six hours) for a single room or 85€ (three hours)/110€ (six hours) for a double room. Overnight rates range from 142€ for a single room to 163€ for a double room. » Check Rates
• Hilton Rome Airport – Five-minute walk from the terminals. Connected to the upper level of Terminals 1, 2, and 3 by a covered, moving walkway.   » Check Rates

Hotels near the airport

• Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport – Free airport shuttle is available. Shuttle stops at Departures (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5) and Arrivals (Terminals 1 and 3). Follow the “Airport Shuttle” sign at your nearest terminal. Between 5:00 AM and 1:00 AM, airport pick-up can be requested using the courtesy phone at the shuttle stops. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Fiumicino Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

• Plaza Premium Lounge (Non-Schengen) – Location: Terminal 3, Airside, non-Schengen Area, 2nd Floor. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge Membership Program.
• Plaza Premium Lounge (Extra -Schengen) – Location: Terminal 3, Airside, Area E, Upper Level. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge Membership Program.
• Prima Vista Lounge (Schengen) – Location: Terminal 3, Airside, Schengen Area, 2nd Floor, near Gate D3. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• Prima Vista (Non-Schengen) – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Schengen Area, Mezzanine Level, close to the Food Court Area and Gates A11/A86. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• HelloSky – Location: landside in front of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (20€).

Related Pages: Fiumicino Airport Lounges

Drinking Water

A reader tells us, “Water is available in bathrooms. There is a sign that you can refill water bottles.” (April 2024)

Food & Drinks

When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, 24-hour food concessions are available. Check out these vendors:

• Landside: Semplicemente Roma (Arrivals, T3)
• Airside: Rosso Intenso food and wine (Gate D02) • Caffe Kimbo (E2nd Floor) • GranCafe Platinum (Gate E37-38 area)
• Vending machines are also available.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage storage is available if you want to relieve yourself from the burden of heavy baggage. Location: T3, International Arrivals. Hours: 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM. Rate: €10 per item per 24-hour period (or part thereof), paid upon pick up.

Mobile Charging

Mobile charging stations are available, free of charge, at the following restaurants: Caffè Rome & You (T1, Landside) • Bagel Factory (T3, Landside) • Lavazza Moka (T3, Landside) • Sante (T3, Landside) • Semplicemente (T3, Landside) • Délice Maison Bakery & Cafe (T1, Arrivals) • Mokà (T1, Arrivals) • Bistrot (Airside, Gates C08-C16) • Briciole dolci e salate (Airside, Gates B14-B23) • Mercedes-Benz Cafè (Airside, Gate B10-B12) • The Burger Federation (Airside, Gate C08-C16).

Showers

Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Shower-only packages are available at the HelloSky hotel, located on the landside, across from Terminals 1 and 3. Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM. For €20, you get shower access, towels, hairdryer and toiletries. A few pay-to-use lounges also offer shower facilities. See the Airport Lounge section above for lounge details.

WiFi/Internet

Unlimited free WiFi is available at Rome Fiumicino Airport. Connect to the “Free Wi-Fi” network.

Two options are available: 1st option – receive free, super fast (up to 4 Mbps) access when you install the official free App of Rome Airports, “Rome Airports,” or 2nd option – don’t install the official App and receive free, fast access (up to 2 Mbps).

Security & Safety

Airport staff are generally quite tolerant of airport sleepers. One traveller from 2016 noted that she was told to leave the airport overnight because she had EU citizenship, which meant she could come and go from the airport with no problem. No other travellers have reported this issue to us.

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

• Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
• Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
• Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
• Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

More Airport Information