€7 gets you from FCO to Termini or Piazza Cavour
SitBus Shuttle runs from Fiumicino’s Terminals 1 and 3 to two city stops: Via Marsala 5 by Roma Termini and Piazza Cavour 33 near the Vatican/Prati area. Buses usually take about 50–60 minutes, but reviews mention 10–20 minute delays are common in traffic. If your hotel sits near Castel Sant’Angelo or in Prati, Piazza Cavour can cut out a metro ride from Termini.
Tickets cost about €7 one way, with some online promos slightly under that; round trips price out cheaper than two singles. Service runs roughly 08:30–00:00 from the airport, so anyone landing on a 06:30 arrival into T3 may need the Leonardo Express or a taxi instead. Regulars recommend buying online in advance and screenshotting the QR code, since cell signal at the FCO bus bays can lag.
Frequency sits around every 30–60 minutes, but riders report that posted times slip by 10–20 minutes, especially late afternoon. Outbound from FCO, allow a buffer if you’re catching an evening train from Termini, and don’t cut it close for a 19:00 Frecciarossa. From the city, check the latest timetable for Piazza Cavour vs Termini departures, as not every run hits both stops.
At FCO, the SitBus bays sit outside Terminals 1 and 3 with limited shade and so-so signage; people mention queuing in the sun for 30 minutes when a bus runs late. Look for the SIT signs among other coach operators, then confirm “Termini” or “Piazza Cavour” on the front board before boarding. On the Rome side, the Termini stop is on Via Marsala 5 along the north flank of the station, while Piazza Cavour departures use the square near number 33.
Watch out for luggage rules: several reviews mention drivers pushing back on very large bags or asking extra for oversize items. To avoid drama at the door at 22:30, keep it to one checked-size suitcase plus a carry-on per person if you can. Regulars heading to Prati typically ride SitBus into Piazza Cavour once, then rely on ATAC buses or Line A from Lepanto or Ottaviano the rest of the stay.
Final tip: landing at FCO after 23:00 into T1 or T3, check the last SitBus of the day before you buy; if the timing looks tight, walk straight to the train platforms under T3 or follow the taxi signs instead of gambling on the final coach.