Sk3 - when traveling between central Rome and FCO, do you prefer a car service versus a taxi?
Hi there, yes I do. Look at the beginning of this thread for the recommendation of the car service I've used and posts where I answered some questions about it.
I stopped taking Rome taxis for airport transfers before they implemented the €40 fixed rate - I had had too many experiences being ripped off. After they implemented the fixed rate I considered using the taxis again, since I assumed I'd be guaranteed the fixed rate. But then I read here and on Slowtravel where folks were still getting "taken for a ride". Either because they ignorantly got in the wrong cab (those designated for Fiumicino service) or they got in the correct Rome cab - but with an unsrupulous driver who set the meter to the wrong zone the entire time. So I just figured, sr€w it, I'll stick with the car service for the truly guaranteed price of €40.
For an interesting rant on Rome taxis check out this post from Tom Rankin's Still Sustainable City blog: Taxis as Public Transit
A lot of people here have used this same service but there are other companies also recommended in the thread above. And FTer RinR has some recommendations on his website - which is always easier to read then trawling through our threads: Transportation Options From Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to the City of Rome
Also in light of the taxi strikes this past winter, Monti's austerity program, etc, I'm personally more comfortable having arranged my own transfer with a private company so I know for certain that I'll get into Rome and back to FCO no matter what the current political climate happens to be (and that reasoning is only increased when comparing taking a car service vs the train/buses/metros for airport transfers).
But while I'm answering your simple question with yet another rambling post(!) I might as well throw in these links for your reference:
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, formerly AA Gold *sniff*
Posts: 852
I'll add an endorsement for Rome Shuttle Limousine. We stayed in Rome our last night and booked a private car to pick us up at the hotel at 7:00 am to take us to the airport for our 9:50 flight. A driver in a sharp looking suit with a late model Mercedes sedan was waiting outside the door at 6:45, and after an exhilarating drive through the city we were dropped in front of terminal 5 for 40 Euros. An excellent service.
My wife and I will be spending some time in Rome this July. We'll stay in a central location for about 5 days, and then our flight leaves out of FCO at 6:20AM!
Would you recommend staying near the airport? I know there is a Hilton Garden Inn nearby... Or, is it easy enough to get a car service or catch a train from the center of the city to the airport?
What would you do?
Just spend 3 days at this hotel. Very good service. We were stiing in the lounge and my 10 year old was disappointed they did not have Tiramisu, and instead had a chocolate cake. The hostess, I remember, Alesandra was there and immdiately brought a small Tiramisu, enough for four of us ...on the house!!, Really loved their service.
Best part, they have FREE shuttles to Colloseo (central rome) every 2 hours. The shuttle is like our Coach bus, very comfortable. It normally costs 8Euro oneway for one person. Great value Right there. You can walk to the FCO airport, it is well connected with moving walkways. Hilton Garden Inn was a little farther, but ddont know if they have a Lounge. Will Recommend highly.
I prefer taking a car service to FCO and the one I've used several times costs €40 plus an additional €5 for night service (21:30 to 06:00) making the total charge €45: Rome Shuttle Limousine
My wife and I tried the
Rome Shuttle Limousine this morning, and it was a scary experience. The car was a nice Mercedes, but our driver was about 5 minutes late. At first it seemed fine, he weaves through traffic and took some crazy "shortcuts" including one through a really awful area. Then, when we got on the freeway he started dozing off behind the wheel. Several times he drifted into other lanes and then jerked the steering wheel back as he woke up. My wife and I had to constantly talk to him even though our Italian is terrible to keep him awake. We rolled the windows down and asked him to turn the music up loud as well. Needless to say we felt lucky to make it to the airport safely.
FYI we stayed in central Rome and had the car pick us up at 4am. We made it in plenty of time for our 6:30 flight, and the cost was 45Euros.
We stayed at the Hilton our last night there. There is a free shuttle that goes to Rome from the hotel. For us, it was a matter of convenience. No worries in the morning, just a short walk to the terminal.
My wife and I tried the
Rome Shuttle Limousine this morning, and it was a scary experience. The car was a nice Mercedes, but our driver was about 5 minutes late. At first it seemed fine, he weaves through traffic and took some crazy "shortcuts" including one through a really awful area. Then, when we got on the freeway he started dozing off behind the wheel. Several times he drifted into other lanes and then jerked the steering wheel back as he woke up. My wife and I had to constantly talk to him even though our Italian is terrible to keep him awake. We rolled the windows down and asked him to turn the music up loud as well. Needless to say we felt lucky to make it to the airport safely.
FYI we stayed in central Rome and had the car pick us up at 4am. We made it in plenty of time for our 6:30 flight, and the cost was 45Euros.
Yikes, this sounds horrifying. Did you report this to the company so they could fire that driver? (The shortcuts and even fast driving isn't something that's alarming to me, but the falling asleep behind the wheel is atrocious).
Like I said upthread, I've used them many times and never had a bad experience. But your post definitely has me concerned. It's one thing to get the driver who conveniently doesn't have change of a €50, but a driver asleep behind the wheel is criminal in my book. I'm not sure what I would have done in the heat of the moment if I were in your shoes, but thinking about it in the comfort of my home right now, I hope I would have the wherethewithal to demand the driver pull over and then to call a cab AND the company to report the incident, and probably even to call the police. Since having the knowledge that the driver was still at large to drive on Rome's highways nodding off behind the wheel is not something I'd want on my conscience.
Thanks for sharing this with us - I now don't feel comfortable recommending them anymore. But I do strongly urge you to email them and report this, if you haven't done so already.
