From Civitavecchia to Rome: 4 Best Ways to Get There
Located just 60 kilometers away from Rome, Civitavecchia is best known for being a major port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Cruises of all sizes and from many destinations dock here regularly. From the port, you can reach the center of Rome via bus, train, or a number of private transportation options and tours.
If you have time to explore the shoreline before heading into Rome, the ancient city of Civitavecchia is home to a beautiful lighthouse, a breakwater, and two piers. Civitavecchia fort and harbor even have a tower designed by Michelangelo.
If you're arriving at the port via a cruise and are choosing private transportation (so you can coordinate when to be picked up), you should spend some time in the area before you head into Rome. Otherwise, make sure you check timetables, so you don't miss your bus connection into Rome.
Whether you're sticking around to explore or traveling straight into Rome, here's a list of the best way to travel from Civitavecchia to Rome.
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1. From Civitavecchia to Rome by Tour
If you're heading to Rome after just arriving at Civitavecchia Port with a cruise, the Civitavecchia Port to Rome Centre shared shuttle is a great way to cover this route.
While regular public transportation would require you to exit the port and find a taxi to the local bus or train station, this air-conditioned coach waits for travelers outside the Port at Largo della Pace. And because the coach is scheduled to arrive soon after a cruise ship docks, there will be no delays or potential issues coordinating times.
Board the bus and relax back to enjoy the Wi-Fi while you travel for around 70 minutes to reach the heart of Rome. Once in the city, you can get off at a number of locations, including the Vatican Area or Roma Termini Railway Station — whatever is more convenient to your hotel location. The bus also travels in the opposite direction if you're in Rome and heading to the ancient city of Civitavecchia to board your cruise again.
For a more personalized approach that works on your own timeline, you can also choose a Private Transfer Civitavecchia-Rome to get to the city center. With this option, an English-speaking driver will pick you up right at the pier once you disembark from your cruise. He'll take care of your luggage as you board the luxury Mercedes vehicle, equipped with free hot spot Wi-Fi, electric outlets, and bottled water.
As you sit back and relax, your driver will then take you to any destination in Rome — your hotel, the airport, or a drop-off point of your choice in the city.
If you're part of a cruise that's just making a stop in Civitavecchia before continuing on to the next destination, you might only have one day to explore Rome's fantastic sights. To make the most of your time, a day in Rome from Civitavecchia private tour offers all the time and flexibility you need to see the highlights of the eternal city.
With this tour, you'll be picked up at the port at 8am, then return back to the same place at 4pm, so you can board your cruise again. In between, your driver will take you to see the main sights in Rome, including the famous Colosseum, the Vatican City, and the Pantheon. Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, walk around Piazza Navona, and tour the ancient government buildings at the Roman Forum in comfort and all in one day.
2. From Civitavecchia to Rome by Train
Two different train services run between Cruise Port Civitavecchia and the city center: a local commuter train service and a special Civitavecchia Express train that was specially designed to connect the port with the city.
The local commuter trains run twice an hour (though not always on time) and take about 80 minutes to reach Rome's Termini Railway station. If you're heading to the train station, the airport or the Vatican area, this is a good choice, as trains stop at all these places along the way.
For about double the price, you can catch an intercity long-distance train, which runs less frequently over the same route. Although technically also a commuter train, these trains make fewer stops, so they're slightly faster.
If you're heading to Termini, the trip will still take about 70 minutes, but midway stations will be much faster to reach. From here, you can then take Metro lines A and B to most of the major tourist spots in town, including the Vatican and the Spanish Steps.
The Civitavecchia Express train has been in operation since late 2019 and offers much faster rides with guaranteed seat reservations. This train will take you to S. Pietro (the closest stop to the Vatican and the main stop for this line) in just 40 minutes but doesn't run all the way to Rome's Termini station.
The train's second stop is Ostiense station, just steps away from the Colosseum. The Civitavecchia Express departure times coincide with arrival times for cruises, so you never have to wait long after getting to the port to catch the next train.
3. From Civitavecchia to Rome by Bus
If you're arriving at the Civitavecchia port early in the morning, you can also catch the SIT Shuttle Bus that departs directly from the port and makes only two stops in the city.
Keep in mind that the bus only runs once a day, either at 9am or 9:30am, depending on the day. Since the bus is meant especially for the transport of cruise passengers, the departure time depends on the scheduled arrival time of the cruises that day. If you arrive at any other time, you'll have to opt for the train.
The bus makes two stops in Rome: at San Pietro near the Vatican (30 minutes after departure from the port) and Termini Railway Station (15 minutes later). Termini is a better stop if you're heading anywhere else in the city, as buses and the metro are located right outside the station.
The shuttle back to Civitavecchia leaves around 4pm, on time to make it before the cruise departure. You can check the exact schedule at the Piazza San Pietro stop, from where the shuttle leaves. Regular buses leave only once a day in that direction, around noon, so they're not useful if you want to explore Rome for the day.
4. From Civitavecchia to Rome by Car
Driving from Civitavecchia to Rome has some drawbacks, so consider only renting a car if you plan on doing a number of road trips or exploring the surroundings of Rome for several days. One of the bigger issues will be driving and parking in Rome, which has many "Restricted Driving Zones" (ZLT). This means non-residents cannot get to many central locations via car to prevent local traffic congestion.
If you're up for the challenges of the drive anyway, there are a number of rental car agencies in Civitavecchia's city center. It's better to rent something in the "mini" category (usually small smart cars), as these will navigate the narrow streets of Rome more easily.
Once you have your car, take the A12/E80 highway. The drive is about one hour and 10 minutes if there's no traffic.
If you have time for a stop along the way, Fregene is a cute little hamlet on the Tyrrhenian coast with a five-kilometer-long beach. Stop by to bury your toes in the sand, walk by the shore, or grab a bite at one of the oceanfront restaurants.
To avoid headaches, check in advance if your hotel is located in a ZLT zone. If that's the case, look for nearby parking areas where you can leave your car.
