Getting to Rome for the football

Fly direct to Rome. Both Manchester and the London airports have non-stop services to Fiumicino (FCO) or Ciampino (CIA), so there is no hub-and-train detour to plan. From Fiumicino the Leonardo Express reaches Roma Termini in 32 minutes; from there it is Metro A plus Tram 2 to the ground, roughly 45 minutes (Trenitalia, Wanted in Rome). For a Lazio home game, away fans sit in a corner (distinti) section opposite the home Curva Nord (Destination Calcio).

Fast facts

Getting there from the UK

Rome is one of the easier away trips to reach, with direct flights from Manchester and all the main London airports, so there is no fly-to-a-hub-and-train-across detour. The real choice at each end is which Rome airport: the low-cost carriers land at Ciampino (cheaper, then a shuttle bus in), while the fast Leonardo Express train runs from Fiumicino (dearer, quicker into town). Costs below are return estimates and swing with the fixture and how early you book.

Getting into Rome: airports and Termini

Rome's main international airport is Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci, FCO), about 30km southwest of the city. The smaller Ciampino (CIA) to the southeast mainly serves low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air (Rome Airport).

From Fiumicino the fastest route in is the non-stop Leonardo Express to Roma Termini: 32 minutes, €14, roughly every 15 minutes (Trenitalia). Fiumicino also has a fixed official taxi fare of €55 to anywhere inside the Aurelian Walls, covering up to 4 passengers and luggage with no supplements. Use only white official taxis with a roof sign (ADR).

From Ciampino, shuttle buses run by Terravision, SIT and ATRAL reach Roma Termini in about 40 minutes from around €6. A combined Ciampino Airlink bus-plus-train ticket is €2.70, and the fixed taxi fare from Ciampino to the centre is €40 (Terravision).

Roma Termini is the central rail hub and the natural base. It connects to both metro lines (A and B), trams, buses and taxis. It is also a known pickpocket hotspot, so keep bags zipped and in front of you (UK FCDO).

Getting out to the Stadio Olimpico

The stadium sits in the Foro Italico complex on Viale dello Stadio Olimpico, around 6km northwest of the centre. There is no metro station at the ground, so access is by tram or bus plus a walk (Wanted in Rome).

The common route from Termini is Metro A towards Battistini to Flaminio (4 stops), then Tram 2 to its terminus at Piazza Mancini, then across the Ponte Duca d'Aosta footbridge to the stadium (Wanted in Rome). Allow about 45 minutes end to end and more on a full matchday.

An alternative is Metro A to Ottaviano (near the Vatican), then bus 32 to Piazzale della Farnesina and a short walk. Bus routes 32, 69, 168, 280 and 628 also serve the stadium area (Wanted in Rome).

Getting around Rome

A single BIT ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 100 minutes: unlimited bus and tram transfers within the window, but only one metro entry (ATAC). Time-based passes are €8.50 for 24 hours, €15.00 for 48 hours, €22.00 for 72 hours and €29.00 for a 7-day CIS card (rates from the 1 July 2025 update) (Turismo Roma).

You can tap in contactless at metro turnstiles and bus validators for €1.50 with no ticket needed, and ATAC's best-fare cap automatically converts heavy same-day use to the €8.50 24-hour rate (ATAC). The Leonardo Express airport train is not covered by city tickets or the Roma Pass and needs its own €14 ticket (Rome Airport).

Inside the stadium and the away end

Away fans should expect a police escort from a gathering point and dedicated away gates, kept fully separated from home supporters (Football Ground Guide). For a Lazio home game the hardcore home support fills the Curva Nord. Away fans go in a corner (distinti) section on the opposite side, between the curva and a grandstand, with the allocation expanding into more of that stand if demand is high (Destination Calcio). For a big European tie the away number can run past 3,000; Celtic took 3,635 (Football Ground Guide). Bring photo ID, expect airport-style searches, and note Italian grounds do not sell full-strength beer inside.

Where visiting fans stay

Central Rome is neutral territory. Trastevere, the Centro Storico, Piazza del Popolo and Prati are all considered fine for visiting fans to eat and drink regardless of allegiance (Football Ground Guide).

Prati, just east of the Vatican, is a popular base: plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars, and reasonably placed for the stadium via the Ottaviano and Lepanto metro stations and onward bus (The Laziali). Staying near Termini keeps you on both metro lines and close to the airport trains, but it is one of the higher pickpocket-risk zones, so take normal precautions (UK FCDO).

Where to drink

Most away fans drink in the centre and travel out to the ground, as there is little worth stopping for right by the stadium. Expect roughly €5-7 for a pint in Trastevere and more near the big sights (Rome Tourist).

• The Highlander Pub (near Piazza Navona): Scottish and Irish-themed, shows the major sport, does beer, pizzas and burgers. Reliable for a pre-match crowd (Football Ground Guide).
• Abbey Theatre Irish Pub (Via del Governo Vecchio): English-style drinks, several screens for live sport and food, central and easy to find (Football Ground Guide).
• Trastevere bars around Piazza Trilussa and Piazza di Santa Maria: the best-value drinking in the centre and a good neutral base for a group (Rome Tourist).
• Campo de' Fiori: busy square ringed with bars, lively and central, though prices climb the closer you sit to the piazza (Rome Tourist).
• Prati bars near Ottaviano: quieter, more local, and handy if you are basing yourself near the Vatican and the stadium bus routes (The Laziali).

Avoid drinking in colours near the Curva Nord end or around the home supporters' gathering points, and steer clear of unlicensed street sellers pushing drinks near Termini (UK FCDO).

Where to eat

The Roman classics to order are cacio e pepe (pecorino and black pepper), carbonara (egg, guanciale, pecorino, no cream), amatriciana and gricia, plus supplì, the fried rice-and-mozzarella croquettes eaten on the move.

• Da Danilo (Esquilino, near Termini): famous cacio e pepe finished tableside inside a hollowed wheel of pecorino, and a full run of cucina romana. Book ahead (Devour Tours).
• Felice a Testaccio: one of the city's benchmark trattorias, cacio e pepe mixed at the table. Reservations essential (Devour Tours).
• Grappolo d'Oro (near Campo de' Fiori): friendly, well-priced and central, doing carbonara, cacio e pepe and seasonal Roman dishes to a high standard (Devour Tours).
• Trattoria der Pallaro (near Campo de' Fiori): old-school fixed-price menu where the kitchen decides, generous and cheap. Good for a hungry group (Italy Segreta).
• Roscioli (Centro Storico): salumeria and restaurant known for a standout carbonara and cacio e pepe, a step up in price and quality. Book (Devour Tours).
• Supplì shops and pizza al taglio across the centre: for a quick pre-match bite, grab supplì and a slice of pizza by weight rather than a sit-down meal.

What to do

Most fans make a day or two of it. The core sights sit within walking distance of one another in the centre.

• Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill: the ancient core, one combined ticket. Book a timed slot to skip the queue (UK FCDO).
• Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel: vast; go early or late and pre-book. Handy from a Prati base.
• St Peter's Basilica and Square: free to enter the basilica, small charge and a climb for the dome view. Modest dress required.
• Pantheon: the best-preserved building of ancient Rome, on Piazza della Rotonda in the middle of the Centro Storico.
• Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps: the classic short walk between the two, best at quieter hours given the crowds and the pickpockets.
• Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori: two connected squares for people-watching, coffee and an evening drink.
• Galleria Borghese: art collection in the Villa Borghese park, timed-entry only, well worth pre-booking if you have a spare afternoon.

Common questions

How do I get from the airport to the Stadio Olimpico?

From Fiumicino take the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini (32 minutes, €14), then Metro A to Flaminio and Tram 2 to Piazza Mancini, then walk over the footbridge (Trenitalia, Wanted in Rome). From Ciampino, take a shuttle bus to Termini (around 40 minutes, from €6) and join the same route (Terravision).

Which airport should I fly into for a Lazio game, and is there a hub?

No hub or onward train is needed. Rome has direct flights from Manchester and the main London airports, so you fly straight in. Fiumicino (FCO) is the main gateway with the fast train to Termini; Ciampino (CIA) is smaller and mostly low-cost carriers such as Ryanair (FlightsFrom, Rome Airport).

Where do away fans sit at a Lazio game?

In a corner (distinti) section on the opposite side of the ground to the home Curva Nord, between the curva and a grandstand. The allocation expands into more of that stand when demand is high (Destination Calcio).

What is the away allocation?

It varies with the fixture. A domestic away following is smaller, but a big European tie can run well past 3,000: Celtic were given 3,635 for their visit (Football Ground Guide). Always buy through your own club's official channel, as Italian grounds require named, ID-matched tickets.

What time should I arrive at the ground?

Give yourself plenty. The trip out from the centre is about 45 minutes and slower on a matchday, and away fans usually face a police escort, dedicated gates and thorough searches (Football Ground Guide). Aim to be near the stadium an hour before kick-off, and drink in town beforehand rather than by the ground.

Can I drink in the ground?

Not full-strength beer. Italian stadiums restrict alcohol sales inside, so do your drinking in the centre before you travel out. The bars near the stadium are few and not worth planning around (Football Ground Guide).

How much is a beer in Rome?

Roughly €5-7 for a pint in Trastevere, with the city average around €5.60. Expect to pay more, up to €9-12 for a half-litre, right by the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps (Rome Tourist, Expatistan).

Is Rome safe for away fans?

Rome is generally low-crime but petty theft is high in the tourist zones. Pickpockets and bag-snatchers work the Colosseum, Trevi, Termini and metro lines A and B, often in distraction teams (UK FCDO). Keep bags zipped and in front, avoid back pockets, and do not wear colours near the home ends.

Which areas are away-friendly?

Central Rome is neutral territory. Trastevere, the Centro Storico, Piazza del Popolo and Prati are all fine to eat and drink in regardless of allegiance (Football Ground Guide). Prati is a good base near the Vatican and the stadium bus routes (The Laziali).

Does my match ticket include free public transport?

No. Unlike some European cities, Rome does not bundle city transport with the match ticket. Buy a BIT single (€1.50, 100 minutes, one metro entry) or a 24-hour pass (€8.50), or just tap contactless, which caps at the daily rate (ATAC, ATAC).

How far is the stadium from the city centre?

About 6km northwest of the centre, in the Foro Italico complex on the far side of the Tiber. There is no metro at the ground, so plan on Tram 2 to Piazza Mancini and the footbridge, or a bus from Ottaviano, each with a short walk (Wanted in Rome).

Where should I stay?

Base yourself in the centre. Prati is handy for the Vatican and the stadium bus routes, Trastevere is best for eating and drinking, and staying near Termini keeps you on both metro lines and close to the airport trains, though it is a higher pickpocket-risk zone (The Laziali, UK FCDO).

How long and how much is the trip from the UK?

Reckon on 6-8 hours door to ground including the flight (around 2h35 from London, 3h from Manchester) and transfers each end. Return flights are an estimated £80-220 from London and £120-260 from Manchester depending on how early you book, plus about £20 in airport and city transfers (FlightsFrom, FlightsFrom).