Italy - Airport Transit: Rome City Centre to FCO

I'm trying to plan the best mode of transit from Rome's City Centre to FCO.

My spouse and I are staying at Boscolo Palace Roma, near the Spanish Steps, and we, of course, are departing Rome by plance via FCO.

I'm read that the Leonardo Express goes from Rome Termini to FCO in 31 minutes for only 14 Euro.

Should I walk to the train station, or is it better/ faster to take the rail to Rome Termini and then switch to the Leonardo Express?

Since there are two of you, it is probably a lot easier to simply take a taxi. The fixed cost to FCO is about €45. Ask your hotel to get you the cab, so you do not get one of the few who would rip you off.

I'm trying to plan the best mode of transit from Rome's City Centre to FCO.

My spouse and I are staying at Boscolo Palace Roma, near the Spanish Steps, and we, of course, are departing Rome by plance via FCO.

I'm read that the Leonardo Express goes from Rome Termini to FCO in 31 minutes for only 14 Euro.

Should I walk to the train station, or is it better/ faster to take the rail to Rome Termini and then switch to the Leonardo Express?

Alice11 and RinR, among others here, have been very good about keeping our dedicated FCO Transportation threads current. Do a search and you'll see.

If your aim is the least cost - than you have better options than the Leonardo Exp. There are now shuttles you can take for as low as €4 for example.

If your aim is easiest to use I recommend a car service over trains and over a cab. (I've personally had bad luck with Rome cabs, fixed rates or no).

I've used many times Rome Shuttle Limousine and for €40 I find it's far better than a cab in all respects. (It's also widely recommended by others here and on other forums):
http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/

Especially after a transatlantic flight I think it's foolhardy for most people to try to navigate the trains and metros - unless their budget excludes €40 for a transfer (for up to 3 ppl).

another problem, when loaded with luggage, one is more likely to be accosted by pickpockets. they seem to congregate at train stations(this is not a rome unique problem). if you drag a bag, carry a stick.

Another, less utilized option, is to take the train from Roma Trastevere station. It's located in Piazza Flavio Biondo, less crowded then Termini and cheaper. While I wouldn't suggest it, there's about a 50/50 chance they actually check for your ticket on the train. If you're not to familiar with the area, or Rome in general, a taxi or the Leonardo Express are your best bets. Others have suggested a communal shuttle, which is a great alternative, but you will have other stops along the way to pick up passengers. Check with your hotel to see if they offer a free/discounted shuttle for those staying with them.

...Others have suggested a communal shuttle, which is a great alternative, but you will have other stops along the way to pick up passengers....

I was referring to the Terravision Shuttle that goes direct from FCO to Termini for €4 (no other stops along the way)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy/709600-rome-airport-fco-cia-transportation.html

..are staying at Boscolo Palace Roma...Should I walk to the train station, or is it better/ faster to take the rail to Rome Termini and then switch to the Leonardo Express?

If you choose to take the train or the shuttle to Termini (vs the car service) then in terms of getting from Termini to your hotel you have a few choices:

Your hotel is located on Via V. Veneto, 70, right down the street from the Westin Excelsior where I've stayed many times. I once walked from Termini to the Excelsior, with luggage in tow, and it was do-able. But I would never do it again. There are different streets you could take, some will have you avoiding more hills than others, but it's a PITA - IMO of course. Here's Google's suggestion for walking (http://maps.google.it/maps?saddr=Via+Vittorio+Veneto,+70,+Roma&daddr=Stazione+Termini,+Roma&hl=it&sll=41.902517,12.495897&sspn=0.009678,0.022638&geocode=FT5zfwId25S-ACkr4JP-qWEvEzHRJD0LMDQiMQ%3BFaNZfwId88O-ACFPNDx4hDE5HikfcAiCpGEvEzEREHGgmk8JEw&oq=Staz&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&t=m&z=15)from your hotel to the train station to give you an idea. You can virtually walk the whole thing and scope it out for yourself.

You could take a cab from Termini. But just be aware that some tourists (myself included) have been royally taken advantage of by Rome cabbies and getting a cab from Termini and being asked to be driven to an upscale hotel - may just "mark" you for a similar bad experience.

The other option is to take the metro from Termini. You're actually closest to the Barberini stop (Metro Line A, Battistini direction) which will deposit you at the foot of Via Veneto. This option will have you ascending stairs to get you to street level and then it's an uphill walk to your hotel. Or you could get off at the next stop, Spagna, but then stay underground and walk the LONG corridor to the Via Veneto exit which has an escalator and will leave you at the top of Via Veneto. So the walk to your hotel is on even ground, and then downhill. (But know that it IS somewhat confusing when you get off at the Spagna stop in terms of finding your way underground to the Via Veneto exit)

This thread on the SPG property has a lot of neighborhood suggestions you might benefit from and if you look at posts #227 and #228 you'll see more details about using the Spagna metro stop to avoid trekking uphilll with luggage:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/422139-westin-excelsior-rome-2007-master-thread.html

But I feel the need to stress that for a first time visitor, and one that may be jetlagged/disoriented, that navigating through FCO to get to its train station, dealing with crowded train cars (which is usually the case for the LE), and then navigating yourself within Termini, even just to exit it, let alone to then navigate yourself to the Metro - is all a PITA. That's why I still vote for the car service as your best transfer option.

Edited to add:

And regarding your transportation at the end of your trip, from your hotel to FCO when you need to be confident that you'll get to the airport ontime for your TATL flight, my 2¢ is that it's wisest to never rely on public transportation and cabs and to always opt for a private car service. (Train strikes occur, and recently taxi strikes have wreaked havoc. Why gamble with these to save a few euros?)

Thank you all for thoughtful and comprehsive comments and input.

I think the best plan for us to take the Metro from Termini to the Spagna stop and navigate the long corridor to the Via Veneto exit.