Rome Ciampino Giovan Battista Pastine Airport (CIA) is one of the two major airports serving the Rome metropolitan area, the other being the larger international hub, Rome Fiumicino (FCO).
The airport is located about 12 km southeast of central Rome, near the village of Ciampino, which gives it its common name.
CIA has historically functioned as a mix of low-cost, charter, general aviation, and some scheduled regional and international flights. In recent years, it has seen a resurgence with the growth of the low-cost segment in Europe. In 2024, Rome Ciampino handled around 4 million passengers.
Major Airlines and Destinations
Low-cost carriers dominate CIA’s traffic. In fact, only two airlines provide regular commercial traffic at Rome Ciampino: Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Ryanair has a much bigger route network from Ciampino, serving more than 25 destinations and operating around 800 flights per month.
Wizz Air, on the other hand, is mostly focused on destinations in Eastern Europe, in countries such as Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Georgia.
Because of its smaller scale compared with the larger Rome airport, the flight network at CIA is short-to-medium haul. There are no long-haul flights, and destinations you can reach by a direct flight are all in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Rome Ciampino is a convenient gateway to Rome, especially for budget-conscious travelers.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Rome Ciampino uses a single passenger terminal complex with just one level. Walk or bus boarding is used at all 16 of the airport’s gates.
Inside, the terminal includes check-in desks, security screening, a departures/arrivals hall, and waiting/gate areas.
Ciampino is a relatively small airport, so walk times from the entrance to the gates are modest compared to major hubs. The terminal is easy to navigate, and the Security lines are normally short.
The airport closes during nighttime, between midnight and 4:30 AM.
WiFi and other services
Wifi access is provided for free throughout Ciampino Airport. Connect to the “AIRPORT FREE WIFI” network and follow the instructions on the welcome page that should open automatically.
Other passenger services at CIA include:
First Aid: Open 24/7 and located after Security.
ATMs: several located in Departures.
Currency Exchanges: Available both in Departures and in Arrivals. Open from 8 AM to 9 PM.
Information Desk: Open every day between 09:00 and 13:00 and between 15:00 and 20:00. Also handles luggage lost/forgotten at the airport (for luggage lost on the plane, contact the handling company).
Tourist Information Point: In Arrivals, open from 9 AM to 6 PM. Here you can buy various tourist passes for Rome and its tourist attractions and enquire about anything connected with your trip.
Baby changing stations.
Children's play areas.
Lounges at Rome Ciampino
CIA is predominantly a low-cost/charter airport and does not offer a wide choice of lounges by major airlines or famous brands.
Sky Services operates a lounge inside the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which only serves passengers on general aviation flights (not commercial ones). It offers satellite TV, free-use computers with internet, a coffee area, and snacks.
Dining Options at CIA
Within the terminal, cafés and snack bars provide basic food and beverage services to passengers. The focus is on convenience and speed rather than large sit-down restaurants or extensive gourmet dining, owing to the airport’s role as a low-cost hub.
You can find light-meal options, coffee/espresso (typical in Italy), and small kiosks or snack shops suitable for a quick bite before a flight.
Dining options include:
Caio Antica Pizza Romana: A fast-serve Italian pizzeria, including takeaway options. Located in Departures.
Just Poke: Grab a fresh, healthy bowl from this kiosk in Departures.
Panella: Artisanal bakery and a coffee shop.
Pick: fast casual dining with grab-and-go products.
McDonald’s: The world-famous chain has a small restaurant in Departures.
Piadina di Casa Maioli: Serves authentic Italian street food.
Transport to and from the airport
Ciampino Airport is actually quite close to Rome - just about 15 km driving distance from Roma Termini Station. It’s even closer than Roma Fiumicino, the main international gateway, which is around 30 km from the city center.
The SS7 highway connects CIA to the city. Driving time is around 30 minutes.
If you want to take public transport, you have two options:
A bus to Ciampino Railway Station (on the other side of the airport from the terminal), combined with a local train to Roma Termini Station. The bus runs every 25 minutes between 5:55 AM and 11:30 PM. The combined bus and rail ticket costs 2.70 EUR.
A bus to Anagnina Metro A station, combined with a trip on the Rome Metro to whichever destination you wish. This bus runs around 15 times per day in irregular intervals. The bus ticket costs 1.20 EUR, and the single ticket for the metro - 1.50 EUR.
Various Cotral buses bound for central and southern Lazio also depart from Anagnina Station.
Three shuttle bus services directly link Ciampino with Roma Termini: SIT, Terravision, and Roma Airport Bus-Schiaffini. All buses and shuttles depart from a stop opposite International Departures.
Taxis are available outside the terminal, and all licensed vehicles have a prominently displayed TAXI” sign on the roof and the symbol of the Municipality with the license number on the front doors. Fares to central Rome are published and regulated. For reference, the fixed fare to any destination in central Rome (within the Aurelian Walls) is 40 EUR.
Uber is also available, though not necessarily more convenient or cheaper - it’s more straightforward to take a regular taxi.
Rental cars are available inside P6, P8, and P12 parking areas, at the entrance of the airport on Via Mameli. To reach, you can use the free shuttle service from the Terminal. Companies you can rent a car from at CIA include Autovia, Avis-Budget, Drivalia, Europcar, Hertz-Thrifty-Dollar, Enterprise-National-Alamo, Sicily by Car, and Sixt.
A similar alternative is car sharing - an easy way to get from the airport to Rome and vice versa. You can leave the car in another location where another customer can use it. This service is provided by Enjoy and Share Now and is available at car park P5.
Parking at Rome Ciampino
CIA offers parking facilities, including short-term and longer-stay parking near the terminal and apron.
The parking facilities are as follows:
P3: Just 200 meters from the Terminal. The first 15 minutes are free, and the current rates are displayed at the entrance.
P4, P5, P6, and P7: Four garages with about 500 parking spaces each, located in the service area opposite the Terminal. Unlike P3, parking here can be pre-booked for the best rates. A free shuttle service is available for P6 and P7.
You can pay at the automatic payment machines in Arrivals, the easy Parking Customer Service desk (open between 7 AM and 11 PM), the automatic payment machines opposite Departures, or at the exit columns.
Hotels near Ciampino Airport
The area near the airport (Ciampino, Marino, Frascati, etc.) is dotted with small hotels and guesthouses that make for a perfect lodging before very early flights or after a late arrival.
You can choose between dozens of small independent hotels near Ciampino Train Station, on the other side of the airport from the Terminal. To reach any, you need to take the bus to Ciampino Station or a taxi from Arrivals. Unfortunately, hotels on the west side of the airport (nearer the Terminal) are scarce, if any.
Some good accommodation options include:
Hotel Villa Giulia: A 3-star hotel with decent rooms, a satisfactory breakfast, and limited other amenities.
Rome Ciampino Smart Hotel: Offers clean, air-conditioned rooms for a no-frills stay.
B&B Casa Lollobrigida: A small family-run guesthouse with lots of character.
Because Ciampino Airport is close to Rome and within the greater metropolitan area, many hotels in southern Rome suburbs or the city centre are accessible within 20-30 minutes.
Rome, Italy
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