By road the minimum travel time is over an hour, but with traffic involved it is more likely to take between an hour and a half and two hours. Luckily there are fast and cost-effective options to get into the city, which we explore here. Here’s the best ways to get from Civitavecchia into Rome.
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How to get a train from Civitavecchia to Rome
This is the cheapest and fastest transport option from Civitavecchia into Rome. There are various fast services from Civitavecchia, and some slower regional trains.
The first regional train leaves Civitavecchia just before 4.28 am and arrives into Rome’s main station Termini at 5.48 am – one hour and 20 minutes. The cost for the slower Civitavecchia-Rome service to Termini station is only €4.60.
The first express train leaves Civitavecchia at 4.58 am and arrives into Ostiense station at 5.43 – only 47 minutes later. Note that Ostiense – while in an interesting area in its own right – isn’t in the dead center, of Rome but you can easily catch a fast train to other parts of the city, often for only €1. The Ostiense trains also stop at Roma San Pietro, which is right next to the Vatican and is a great jumping-off point to explore the city.
There’s also an express service that comes into Termini. The cost for the express Civitavecchia-Rome service to Ostiense or Termini stations ranges from between €8.50 and €10 depending on how far in advance you book and which station you arrive into.
Trains into Rome from Civitavecchia run about every 30 minutes until the evening, when they’re about every hour. The last train from Civitaveccia to Rome (Termini) at night is at 10.41pm, but the last express train to Ostiense is at 9.17pm.
Book your train tickets here >
How to get a train from Rome to Civitavecchia
Coming back from Rome to Civitavecchia, the last express train from Ostiense leaves just after midnight at 12.11 am and gets into Civitavecchia at 12.51 am. The last direct train from Termini leaves at 11.27 pm and gets you to Civitavecchia at 12.44 am.
If you miss the last train back to Civitavecchia from Rome, you’re going to have to hang around until 5.26 am when the first train from Termini leaves for Civitavecchia (arriving at 6.40 am).
Book your train tickets here >
How to get a taxi from Civitavecchia to Rome
A taxi from Civitaveccia to Rome starting cost is high: around €150. Depending on traffic and whether you’re being charged a flat fare or the cabbie is using the meter – and if the latter, how much traffic there is on the roads. There are far faster and cheaper options.
If you do want to take a car with driver, we highly recommend the very excellent Welcome Pickups service, which is about the same price as a taxi but sends a vetted, English-speaking driver with a wealth of tourist knowledge to meet you directly from your ship. Book here >
And if you were thinking of trying Uber too, forget it: Uber taxi doesn’t exist in Rome, at least not like you know it. The app still works, but only for its sister service, Uber Black limo – but the prices for this from Civitavecchia are about the same as a taxi, though bear in mind that Uber changes prices based on demand so a fare can shoot up to more than €200 each way.
Day excursion services from Civitavecchia
If you only have a day or two to visit Rome and don’t want to have to think about your transport (beyond a short shuttle bus) this is your ideal option. You are guaranteed to see the absolute highlights of Rome in a very short time, and do not have to worry about tickets, buses, etc. Highlights include St Peter’s Basilica, the Spanish Steps, and the unmissable Pantheon, and then will get you back to your cruise ship in the late afternoon.
How to get a coach or bus from Civitavecchia to Rome
Coach services from Civitavecchia to Rome are cost-effective but slow. You can buy a ticket on multiple private coach companies for about €15 each way – ask on your ship – or book a shuttle service in advance. Local bus services are available for about €4 per ticket but negotiating the routes is always tricky.
Renting a car from Civitavecchia to Rome
Really not worth it unless you want to explore the countryside. If you want it just to get to Rome, bear in mind a rental car takes longer than the train, it’s stressful, there are tolls on the freeway, there’s nowhere to park, and more.
Insider opinion on travel between Civitavecchia and Rome
Having done this journey many times over many years, there really is only one choice: the train is the way to go. Faster, more comfortable, cheap and convenient. Book train tickets here >
Finally… how do you pronounce Civitavecchia?
Literally meaning “old town”, Civitavecchia may not the easiest of place names to see written down, but remembering that in Italian CI is prounounced “ch”, you will not go wrong by saying “chee-vee-ta-VECK-ee-ah“. It’s quite a satisfying word to say, and after a few practices it will roll off the tongue!
