Operator: Trenitalia Leonardo Express
Headcode: N/A
Route: ROM-FCO
Class: 2nd Class
Seat: N/A
Date: Wednesday 11th January 2023
With my (Not Quite) All the Small Things trip across Europe coming to a close, it was time to head from the centre of the Italian capital to its main airport to get home the easy way, by flying! The quickest was to get from the city centre to the airport is to jump onboard the Leonardo Express, the shuttle service ran by Trenitalia to connect Roma Termini station with Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport.
Tickets for the Leonardo Express cost €14 one way and whilst this is not the cheapest option for getting to Fiumicino, you’re paying for the convenience. Certainly for me, it couldn’t have been easier, as platforms 23 & 24 at Termini station (where the trains depart from) are adjacent to station’s luggage storage where I’d left my bag for the morning.
Leonardo Express services are all operated by Trenitalia’s ‘Jazz’ ETR 425 units with the train formed of either a single or pair of units dependent upon time of day and expected demand. These units are specifically designed for airport services, with one class of seating throughout and a large amount of space dedicated to luggage storage.
From Roma Termini it is a 32-minute non-stop run through the capital’s suburbs to the airport, with the service initially taking a looping route around the south of the city centre passing through Ostiense station before crossing the River Tiber and following it south most of the way to the Mediterranean. Thankfully the service appears to be well timetabled and despite running on these suburban lines, we didn’t appear to be delayed at any point by local services.
For most of the day services to and from the airport run every 15 minutes, providing a ‘turn up and go’ service at both ends of the route. In addition to these services, Trenitalia also runs two regional services on a half-hourly frequency (every 15 minutes combined) that serve all stations including Roma Ostiense and Roma Tiburtina stations but avoid Roma Termini. These regional services are much cheaper than the Leonardo Express but also take longer and don’t serve the main station, however, could be advantageous if you’re staying in other parts of the city.
Overall the Leonardo Express is quick, comfortable and easy to use, however for this you pay a premium. If you have time and are confident enough with local trains, I’d recommend using the regional services to the airport from Roma Ostiense and Roma Tiburtina stations, however if you just want a quick and easy trip to the airport then jump onboard the Leonardo Express.
Lounge 0*
Seat/Facilities 3*
Food 0*
Service 5*
Punctuality 5*
Overall Rating 13/25 (read about my rating system here!)
Flights & Times 