Arriving in Rome by cruise ship

How to get to Rome from the port of Civitavecchia

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A map of the Civitavecchia cruise ship terminal in relation to the train station. (For more details, click on the interactive map over the right.)First of all: the port of Civitavacchia (www.port-of-rome.org) is not even remotely near Rome. It's 80km (50 miles)—more than an hour's drive—north of the city.

All cruise lines will offer a direct transfer to Rome on a bus, but at a steeply inflated rate (things like this are where cruises really make their money).

The good news is, you can get to Rome on your own—cheaper, and sometimes even faster.

In fact, with the train station only about 15-minute walk from the port and the fast trains making the trip to Rome in 45 minutes, you can easily beat the folks taking the overpriced cruise shuttle to Rome.

Getting to Rome from Civitavecchia

Fun facts
Though Civitavecchia is not close to Rome, it is nearly as ancient. It was founded as a port in the second century AD under the emperor Trajan, who called it Centumcellae. Escalating pirate attacks led Pope Julius II to order a fort built in the 16th century. To design the fort, the pope tapped the same man who he had hired to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling: Michelangelo. Between crusies and ferries, nearly 2 million passengers pass though each year, making this the third busiest port in the entire Mediterranean.By cruise ship shuttle - Priciest option (though rates vary line to line). Takes about 60–80 minutes.
By private car or taxi - A private transfer will often be bit cheaper than the curise line's. Book one via our partners at Viator.com for $41.35. No faster though: the ride still takes 60–80 minutes.
By train - There are two to three direct trains every hour between Civitavecchia and Rome's main rail station, Roma Termini. Most local trains take 60–80 minutes and cost €4.50 each way (in second class; always ride in second class). Hourly InterCity trains take 45 minutes and cost €12.50.

Getting between Fiumicino (Rome's airport) and Civitavecchia

Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci airport at Fiumicino is about 50km (31 miles) south of Civitavecchia. If your cruise doesn't include airport transfers (or charges an arm and a leg for them), you have three options:

By private car - A private transfer will often be cheaper than the cruise line's. Many airprot car services charge exorbitant fees (€90 and more). Book a private car to the port via our partners at Viator.com and it only costs $46.23 per person.
By taxi - Only if you are made of money. It'll cost about €150.
By train - You'll have to take a shuttle train first into Rome (30 min.; €11), then follow the instructions above. Cheapest option by far (only €15.50–€23.50), but also way more time-consuming and complicated, especially with luggage. Not advised.

How to get to the Civitavecchia train station from the port

Walk to the end of the loooong pier, around the Renaissance castle that serves as the port authority, and through exit (this can be quite a ways as the dock is insanely long; ask about the public shuttle bus along the pier to the uscita). Cross the street to turn right down Via Garibaldi. The train station will be on your left after about a five-block, 10-15 minute walk. Here's a map showing the route.

Note
If your cruise ship happens to dock, not along the long skinny pier, but rather across from it on the mainland alongside a giant parking lot, congratulations: you're at Nuova Banchina Commerciale 24 or 25—and the walk to the train station is a whole lot farther...like 30 minutes. You'll want to plump for a €15 taxi ride instead.If Civitavecchia is your embarkation or debarkation port, you'll have luggage and might not want to haul it along such a walk. It can be well worth the €9 to €15 for the quick taxi ride (price varies depending on how many people/bags there are; the local taxi stand's phone number is tel. +39-0766-26121).

There are sometimes shuttle buses between the train station and the port, but those are usually timed to coincide with local ferries to Sardegna, not cruises.

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Arriving in Rome by cruise ship

Getting to Rome from Civitavecchia

Getting between Fiumicino (Rome's airport) and Civitavecchia

How to get to the Civitavecchia train station from the port

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