Originally Posted by Perche

The Westin Excelsior is not really near the Termini, it's a 20 minute walk. Taking a cab to Termini, then a train to the airport, is not going to save time if you leave early enough for a morning flight. I mentioned what time I'd be in the car for an 8:50 departure. It would be way before the traffic starts. A cab from central Rome in the early morning hours is rarely more than 35 minutes to the airport door to door, 40 minutes tops, and you have the streets and highway to yourself.

There's no way you can take a cab from the Westin to Termini, wait for the Leonardo Express to take you to the airport, and beat me leaving from the Westin in a cab straight for the airport at the time I would leave for an 8:50 flight. Since it's a 5-10 minute cab ride to Termini, and the Leonardo Express leaves every 30 minutes, it could be 40 minutes before you even depart, then it's a 30 minute train ride. I'd have already arrived in a private car and be in the lounge. I wouldn't take a car during rush hour, but rush hour on the Leonardo Express is no picnic either. It's crowded, and unless your standing there when the doors open you won't get a seat and may be standing all the way. Why not just leave early and enjoy the lounge?

As far as crashes on the highway and getting stuck in a jam, a paralyzing crash in the early morning hours is less common than having the train system go on strike. The Leonardo Express guarantees that they run even in the event of a strike. How does it run in the event of a strike? They put you on their bus.

The LE is great, I use it all the time, but if I'm leaving my hotel at 6AM I'd have a car waiting and have it take me straight to the airport in 30-35 minutes, not downtown to wait for a train.