How to get to Civitavecchia from Rome?

Summer is coming, it is cruise season! I know lots of people are booking their summer cruises. Alaska? Mediterranean? Caribbean? They all sound good, don’t they? (Check my past itinerary here). Many Mediterranean cruises start or end in Rome, so how do you get to the cruise port?

The port of Civitavecchia is located about 40 -45 miles northwest to Rome. There are a few ways to transport between city center and the port or between the airport and the port. Let’s take a look!

Rome City Center to Civitavecchia

I assume most people starting or ending their cruise in Rome would stay at least one extra day to check out the dreamy city? If that’s the case, you’re likely departing from city center.

By Train

By train is easily the most convenient way to get to the cruise port from the city center Roma Termini if without large piece of luggage. There are two trains offered, Intercity and Trenitalia. Intercity takes about 45-50 minutes, while Trenitalia usually takes 1hr – 1hr 20 minutes. Intercity runs about every three hours, while Trenitalia runs every hour. Since the trains run very frequently, it is not necessary to pre-purchase the tickets. Tickets cost €10-€15 per person depending on departure time.

Our hotel was 8 minutes car ride away from Roma Termini (check out our experience in Rome here). We took a taxi to get to the station. Once arrived at the train station, look for red ticket kiosks to get tickets. For the full details at the station, check out here.

Once arrived at Civitavecchia station, walk outside the station. There are shuttle buses offered by cruise lines waiting to take you to the cruise terminal directly. It was €3 per person in August 2022. If you don’t have changes or if you don’t want to pay, you can walk to the cruise terminal, which will take about 15-20 minutes.

By Car/Private Transfer/Rideshare/Taxi

It will take about an hour by car, without traffic. Taxi fares or private transfers usually cost about €100-€140 per car. Minivans are also available for larger group, which usually cost around €170.

By Bus

There is a direct bus service departing Rome Tiburtina. It runs 4 times a day and it takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. The price is $12-$19.

From Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino (FCO) airport to Civitavecchia

By Train

Unfortunately, there is no direct train service from FCO airport to the cruise port, unlike the city center. The trains will take from 1.5 hours to over 2 hours with transfer and cost about €25.

By Taxi

The most convenient option from FCO airport is taking a taxi. Taxis are charging a flat fee of €120 in 2022 to Civitavecchia. It takes 45 minutes.

By Bus

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct bus service from FCO to Civitavecchia either. You will need to take a bus heading to Rome Vatican, then change to a different bus heading to the port. Buses cost €15-20.

If you are departing from Roma city center or surrounding area, taking the direct train from Roma Termini (also stop in other stops in the city) is the most convenient and affordable way.

If you are heading to the port directly from the airport and you travel in a group, taxi might be the most convenient way.

Be aware: When we arrived at Civitavecchia train station, there were two police officers checking tourists’ passports. They weren’t exactly friendly, which kinda took away some of our excitement to start our cruise vacation.