Timing for flight leaving Rome (FCO)

[MNcruisingcouple]

We are arriving back to Civitavecchia at 6am on Sept 4, 2019.  We’d really prefer to fly out that same day but the latest flight to Minneapolis is at 12:50pm.  Is it reasonable to try to make that flight or will it be cutting it too close?  Could we do the NCL transfer or is it better to book a private company? Thanks for your help.

[CruiserBruce]

A 12:50 flight is fine. A little reading on the board would find the earliest recommended flight is 10:30. The ship's transfers will most likely be more expensive, but with your timing, you can do either method.

[mskaufman]

12:50 should work.  We have flown out of there (from a cruise 3X) and sometimes it is a bit of a madhouse.  By that I mean uncontrolled masses instead or organized lines.  Just be prepared for something other than a leisurely walk through the airport.

[MNcruisingcouple]

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

A 12:50 flight is fine. A little reading on the board would find the earliest recommended flight is 10:30. The ship's transfers will most likely be more expensive, but with your timing, you can do either method.

 

Thank you for your help.  I did read numerous posts but wanted to be sure with our specific parameters.

[MNcruisingcouple]

1 hour ago, mskaufman said:

12:50 should work.  We have flown out of there (from a cruise 3X) and sometimes it is a bit of a madhouse.  By that I mean uncontrolled masses instead or organized lines.  Just be prepared for something other than a leisurely walk through the airport.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.  Is there a way to navigate the chaos?  This will be our first time flying from FCO.  

[mskaufman]

12 hours ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.  Is there a way to navigate the chaos?  This will be our first time flying from FCO.  

 

Good question.  I think just be prepared for the crowds and to move with them and not let them pass you by.

[Hlitner]

Have done the Civitavecchia to FCO thing many times and consider 11am to be fine for those willing to do self-disembarkation and arrange for their own transfer (we recommend RomeCabs).  12:50 will not be any kind of problem and you could even use regular disembarkation and normal transfers.

 

Hank

[MNcruisingcouple]

On 1/25/2019 at 6:20 PM, Hlitner said:

Have done the Civitavecchia to FCO thing many times and consider 11am to be fine for those willing to do self-disembarkation and arrange for their own transfer (we recommend RomeCabs).  12:50 will not be any kind of problem and you could even use regular disembarkation and normal transfers.

 

Hank

 

Hoping you can help me again.  With the 6am arrival and planning to do self walk off, what time should we book our shared shuttle?  7am or 8am?  Thoughts?

[Hlitner]

Our norm would be to plan on arriving at FCO about 3 hours before our flight (2 1/2 is also enough) and figure on about 1 hour for the drive from the port.  8am would be an early enough transfer for any flight after noon.  When we used to take our 10:50 flight we would usually arrange to meet our transfer about 7 or 7:15.  Follow this schedule and you will find yourself with too much time sitting around at FCO...but we tend to play it safe.

 

Hank

[MNcruisingcouple]

10 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Our norm would be to plan on arriving at FCO about 3 hours before our flight (2 1/2 is also enough) and figure on about 1 hour for the drive from the port.  8am would be an early enough transfer for any flight after noon.  When we used to take our 10:50 flight we would usually arrange to meet our transfer about 7 or 7:15.  Follow this schedule and you will find yourself with too much time sitting around at FCO...but we tend to play it safe.

 

Hank

 

Thanks for your quick response and the information you shared.  It is very helpful. 

[denisey]

On ‎1‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 7:19 PM, mskaufman said:

 

Good question.  I think just be prepared for the crowds and to move with them and not let them pass you by.

We went to a talk at the Rick Steves Travel Center over the weekend.  The speaker's advice for crowds was to be polite and gently use your elbows to get through the crowds.

 

On one crowded airport adventure, we got behind the guy who was pushing his way through and rode in his wake to get there.