Rome Fiumicino Airport Guide

FCO Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

What to Expect

Rome Fiumicino Airport (code: FCO) consists of two terminals: Terminal 1 (domestic and Schengen), and Terminal 3 (main international hub). Expect a decent amount of walking, especially if you’re transferring to or from a long-haul flight.

This being Italy, you’ll find a range of eateries offering coffee, pizza, and pasta, plus shops and Italian fashion brands. Several cafes are open 24 hours. Travellers appreciate the free WiFi, the rest zone near the D Gates, and the pay-to-use shower facilities at the entrance of Terminals 1 and 3. Economy class passengers can upgrade their layover by paying to enter several airport lounges.

Sleeping in Fiumicino Airport

As a busy hub, there are always travellers catching some shuteye here. Seating varies across the four terminals, but it is generally limited and equipped with armrests. On the airside, there are a few solid sleep spots that have reclining chairs, sofas, or armrest-free benches. Recent reviewers report a mix of hard plastic loungers and more comfortable bench-style seats, with the best spots filling up quickly overnight. If you prefer to stretch out on the floor, bring blankets, a sleeping mat, or a sleeping bag to provide cushion and warmth on the cold tile. Expect fewer sleep spots if you’re staying in the landside area, so you may end up on the cold, tiled floor. Travellers consistently find far better options airside than landside. Here are a few terminal-specific spots mentioned by travellers in their reviews:

Terminal 1

• Gates A01–27 & A31–83: Long plastic loungers in resting zones; not very soft.
• Gate A43: Three comfy chairs that can be pushed together.
• Gate A66 area: Children’s play area with popular flat spots.
• Post–duty-free piano room: A dozen long chairs facing the windows.
• A27–A31: Free lounge-style seats.

Terminal 3

• Gates E12–E14: Multiple rows of reclining loungers; close to restrooms, vending machines, and cafés.
• Gates E51–E52: Large soft couch-style seats; charging points; drinking-water taps in nearby toilets; can be noisy due to cleaning.
• General: Staff usually allow sleeping here; bright lighting common.

Landside & Other Areas

• Baggage claim (T1, belts 11–12): Benches, toilets, charging ports; bright lighting.
• General landside: Limited benches; many travellers end up on the floor.

Most cafes and restaurants close for the night, so try to grab a couch or soft bench inside one for the evening.

Common issues include bright lights, frequent announcements, noise, limited charging points and some colder zones. Eye masks, earplugs and warm layers are highly recommended. Most reviewers felt safe, though a few noted occasional disturbances in some landside areas.

There is conflicting information regarding when travellers can pass through security. One reader (2019) wrote that they could not pass through to the secure zone until three hours before their flight, while others reported being able to go through 6-9 hours before their flight. This is likely airline-dependent; plan ahead in case you need to stay in the public zone.

For uninterrupted sleep, there are “air rooms” in a hotel connected to Terminals 1, and 3. Additional area hotels offer free shuttle service. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.

Read traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Fiumicino Airport Guide.

Airport Hours

Rome Fiumicino Airport is open 24 hours on the landside (public areas) of Terminals 1 and 3. Security checkpoints operate according to flight schedules and are open overnight for late-night and early-morning departures.

What this means for airport sleepers:
You can stay inside the airport overnight, but comfort and access are limited. Overnight airside access is limited to ticketed passengers with valid boarding passes. Non-ticketed visitors may be asked to leave certain areas overnight, typically between midnight and 4:00 AM. Overnight security checks are possible, so be ready to move if asked and keep your belongings close.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

The airport has designated rest zones with reclining seating, though information is limited. A traveller reported two rest areas near the D Gates, including one at Gate D1, which was reasonably comfortable for sleeping but brightly lit. Click here to add more information about rest zones.

Take precautions even when sleeping in the rest zones. In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them. Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.

Cots

Rome Airport Hotels

Quick Facts

• Nearest Hotel:  Inside the Airport
• Sleep Cabins or Pods: Yes
• Day Rooms: Yes
• Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes

When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair feels unappealing, there are several hotel options for travellers looking to sleep at Fiumicino Airport in comfort. There are no true transit hotels airside, so accessing on-site or nearby hotels requires exiting to the public area and passing through security again.

The HelloSky hotel offers short stay rooms that can be booked in three- or six-hour blocks, suitable for naps or daytime rest. For overnight stays, the Hilton Rome Airport is connected to the terminals by a covered walkway. Several additional hotels nearby provide airport shuttle service.

Hotels at Fiumicino Airport

• HelloSky – Located landside (public area) between Terminals 1 and 3, connected by a covered walkway. Facilities include private rooms, a lounge, showers, and meeting rooms. Rooms feature a single or double bed and private bathroom. Day-use rooms are available between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM in three- or six-hour blocks. Overnight stays are also available. Day rates from 65€ (3 hours)/90€ (six hours) for a single room or 85€ (three hours)/110€ (six hours) for a double room. Overnight rates range from 142€ for a single room to 163€ for a double room. » Check Rates
• Hilton Rome Airport – Located about a five-minute walk from the terminals and connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via a covered moving walkway.   » Check Rates

Hotels near the airport

• Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport – Free airport shuttle service is available. Shuttle stops are located at Departures (Terminals 1, 3, and 5) and Arrivals (Terminals 1 and 3). Between 5:00 AM and 1:00 AM, airport pick-up can be requested using the courtesy phone at shuttle stops. Follow “Airport Shuttle” signage. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Fiumicino Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

Drinking Water

Free water bottle refill stations are available in Terminal 3, both airside and landside. Availability in other terminals is possible but not officially confirmed. A reader also reports that water bottle refilling is permitted at restroom sinks, with signage indicating this (April 2024).

Food & Drinks

If you’re awake overnight and looking for food or coffee, a limited number of 24-hour options are available, along with vending machines. Known 24-hour options include:

• Landside: Semplicemente Roma (Arrivals, T3)
• Airside: Ciao (Zone E)
• Vending machines are also available.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage storage is available if you want to take a break from carrying heavy bags.
Location: Terminal 3, International Arrivals
Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Rate: €10 per item per 24-hour period (or part thereof), payable upon pickup.

Mobile Charging

Free mobile charging points are available airside near the gates and at select cafés and restaurants throughout Terminals 1 and 3. Availability varies by location, and seating with outlets can fill up during busy periods.

Showers

Shower facilities are available at the HelloSky hotel, located landside between Terminals 1 and 3. Shower-only access is offered daily from approximately 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and includes towels, hairdryer and basic toiletries (€20 fee applies, subject to change).  Some pay-to-use lounges also offer showers, subject to access rules and hours.

WiFi/Internet

Unlimited free WiFi is available at Rome Fiumicino Airport. Connect to the “Free Wi-Fi” network.

Two access options are offered:

• Faster speeds when using the official Rome Airports app
• Slower speeds without installing the app

Actual speeds may vary depending on location and network traffic.

Security & Safety

Airport staff are generally quite tolerant of airport sleepers. At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

• Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
• Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
• Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
• Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

More Airport Information