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Accessibility at Rome airports: A comprehensive guide

Rome's airports, Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino and Ciampino are equipped to accommodate travelers with disabilities, families with kids or babies, pet owners, and the elderly. ADR Assistance is the official company offering assistance to passengers with reduced mobility at Rome airports. While both airports provide amenities to ensure a comfortable flying experience for all, Fiumicino Airport, in particular, has additional family-friendly services such as pink parking spaces, children's play areas, and kid-friendly restaurants.

Accessible facilities and services at Rome airports

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport

Rome Airports
  • Check-in counters, desks, & kiosks: Lowered counters, desks, and accessible self-service kiosks facilitate check-in for wheelchair users.
  • Priority boarding: Get priority for security, passport, and boarding procedures.
  • First aid: Find 24/7 first aid services and pharmacies at Terminal 3 and 1.
  • Porter service: You can book baggage porter service online to get help with luggage upon arriving or departing from the airport.
  • Accessible restrooms: Restrooms are equipped for disabled access with grab bars and emergency call buttons, and are located throughout the terminals.
  • Wheelchair assistance: Wheelchairs are available on request and assistance is provided throughout the airport.
  • Elevators and ramps: Elevators and ramps ensure easy movement across different levels of the airport.
  • Services for the visually impaired: Tactile pathways guide visually impaired passengers through the airport.
Rome Airports
  • Stroller rentals: Strollers can be rented at the airport for free. Find them at T1 (Pier A) and T3 (Pier E).
  • Pink Parking: Pink stripes at P-Terminal D demarcate designated parking for families with children.
  • Family lanes: Use Family lanes at the security check,  if you are traveling with children or are pregnant.
  • Family-friendly areas: There are four nurseries at the airport. You can also use the kids' area with games in Terminal 1 and 3 Arrivals Level and the family toilets. Restaurants also have high chairs and can be reached out to if you need to sterilize feeding bottles.
  • Baby changing facilities: All restrooms across the airport have child-friendly basins and baby changing areas.
Rome Airports
  • Porter service: You can book a baggage porter service at standard rates for luggage assistance at Fiumicino Airport.
  • Fast track: Senior citizens will especially benefit from the Fast track service at Fiumicino as it lets you bypass long queues.
  • Check-in and boarding: Dedicated assistance counters are available to help with check-in and boarding. 
  • Mobility assistance: Wheelchair and electric cart assistance can be secured for elderly passengers needing help navigating the airport.
  • Seating areas: Ample seating is provided throughout the terminal for rest.
  • Accessible shuttles: You will find two free shuttle services at the airport - One to the Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport and the other to the Long Term easy Parking area.
Rome Airports
  • There are two pet areas at Fiumicino Airport - one at Terminal 3 baggage claim and the other outside door No. 2 in the Terminal 3 Arrivals area.
  • Make sure your pets are in appropriate carriers, muzzles, and leashes. Kindly carry poop scoopers as well.

Ciampino Airport

Rome Airports
  • Help Points: There are Help Points located outside the Terminal (on the pavement near the entrance to the Departures area) and in the P3 car park for passengers with reduced mobility.
  • Accessible restrooms: Accessible restrooms, equipped with grab bars and emergency call buttons, are located in all the toilets in the terminal.
  • First aid: You can find first aid services at the Departures in the non-Schengen boarding area.
  • Elevators and ramps: All elevators are wheelchair-friendly. There are ramps for seamless movement between airport levels.
  • Parking: Reserved parking spaces are available for disabled travelers with a badge near terminal entrances. You can use the P3 car park with 18 free reserved parking spaces for stays of up to an hour or P7 with 8 spots for longer parking. There are also special yellow totems for passengers with reduced mobility to get assistance.
  • Wheelchair assistance: Book wheelchair assistance in advance or request it at the airport for smooth navigation. Booking early will avoid delays.
  • Services for visually impaired travelers: You can navigate the airport using tactile pathways.
Rome Airports
  • Baby changing facilities: Changing tables and nursing areas are available in all the restrooms.
  • Family-friendly areas: You can find a ‘family room’ in the Departures area, before security. It is equipped with child-size toilets. 
  • Priority boarding: Benefit from priority boarding, making travel with babies more convenient.
Rome Airports
  • Check-in and boarding: Use dedicated assistance counters for a smoother check-in and boarding process.
  • Mobility assistance: Request a wheelchair, electric cart, or staff assistance to help navigate the airport.
  • Seating areas: Take advantage of numerous seating areas provided for rest throughout the terminal.
Rome Airports

You must ensure compliance with all health standards when traveling with pets. Make sure you have all the right documentation, carriers, leashes, muzzles, and others. Ciampino Airport primarily caters to low-cost airlines and typically low-cost airlines do not permit pets. Kindly check with your airline before booking tickets.

Accessible Rome airport transfers

Finding a commute option to and from the Rome airports can be another challenge while flying with kids, for those with special needs, and for the elderly. However, Rome airports offer a range of accessible options for travelers with these diverse needs. Depending on your needs and budget, you can opt for personalized private travel options or even rely on shared transfers or public transportation.

Train transfers

  • The Leonardo Express train from Fiumicino Airport to Rome Termini Station has designated wheelchair spaces and offers accessible boarding. There is also the FL1 regional line connecting Fiumicino Airport to Rome stations.
  • At the Fiumicino train station, passengers can make use of the yellow totem to seek assistance. The staff will guide you through the check-in. RFI provides this service on the trains.

Bus transfers

  • Accessible buses with low floors, ramps, and priority seating are available on major routes connecting the airports to the city center.
  • Terravision and SIT Shuttle Bus offer bus services to and from Rome Termini and both Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino Airport. These are a cost-effective and accessible option for travelers. You will find the bus stops opposite international departures at Ciampino Airport. At Fiumicino, you will find bus stops at Terminal 1 and 3.

Private transfers

  • Accessible private transfers with wheelchair ramps are available for booking at both Fiumicino and Ciampino airports.
  • You can also request car seats while booking if traveling with small kids.
  • Travelers can book these private transfers in advance by contacting the airport's assistance services or through online platforms.
  • Private transfers provide a comfortable and personalized experience, with the driver meeting passengers at the airport and assisting with luggage.

Care to Fly

  • Care to Fly is a transfer assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility arriving and departing from Fiumicino and Ciampino Airports.
  • This service is available to book at competitive rates and is tailored to accommodate your specific requirements. 
  • If you are departing, a driver will pick you up at your door, and take you to the airport where a competent assistant will help you board and get you settled on the flight. The same goes for arrivals as well.

Public transportation

While public transportation has its limitations when it comes to accessibility, it is getting better at catering to passengers with special needs.

  • Buses: Accessible buses with low floors, ramps, and priority seating are available on major routes connecting the airports to the city center.
  • Trains: Trains from Fiumicino Airport to Rome stations have dedicated spaces for wheelchair users and other accessibility features.
  • Taxis: Official Rome taxis are outside the Arrivals Terminal. at Ciampino Airport and Terminals 1 and 3 Arrivals at Fiumicino Airport. Taxi prices to the city center are fixed. Keep in mind to look out for authorized taxis with a permit. They are white and have ‘TAXI’ written on the roof. 

Good to know

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  • Request in advance: Book special assistance at least 48 hours prior to your flight or while booking your flight tickets by contacting the airline or tour operator.
  • Personal wheelchair: If you are flying with your own personal wheelchair/mobility vehicle, inform the airline in advance and they will assist you with further arrangements.

Tips for travelers with disabilities

  • Plan ahead: Request special assistance services in advance through the airport’s website or by phone to ensure smooth travel. Make arrangements for travel to and from airports well in advance to avoid frustration upon arrival and departure.
  • Arrive early: Arrive at the airport one hour earlier than normally advised. This will allow time for check-in, security processes, and any other arrangements required to avoid delays.
  • Carry essential documents: Keep all necessary medical documentation and contact information easily accessible.
  • Inform airlines: Notify your airline of any specific needs or assistance required during the flight. Describe your disability clearly while booking tickets to ensure safety and clearance measures are taken.
  • Stay informed: Check the airport’s website for the latest information on accessibility services and facilities.
  • Flight schedules: Consider varying the lengths of your flights depending on disability-related needs. Long flights may be uncomfortable, especially for people who cannot use inaccessible airplane toilets. Shorter connecting flights may be a better alternative.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, accessible transfer services are available to and from Rome airports. There are buses, trains, taxis, and private transfers equipped with wheelchair spaces, and ramps. However, it is always best to call in advance to request and confirm services.