There seems to be a lot of confusion about Terminal 5 at the FCO (Leonardo Da Vinci) airport– some of the confusion is created by multiple US Airline websites. Terminal 5 (T5) was opened in May 2008. It is a departure-only terminal. Perhaps terminal is the incorrect word as T5 is not really a terminal – it’s more like an offsite processing area (check-in, security and passport control) for USA-bound passengers traveling on US-flagged airlines.
ONLY US-flagged airlines and El Al operate from this terminal. Terminal 5 was created as a response to terrorist concerns for any US-flagged airline – such as American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, United Airlines and US Airways – or as it was hailed at it’s opening, designated for security-sensitive flights. If you are flying directly from Rome to the US on a US flagged carrier, you’ll be going through Terminal 5.
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How to Get to the FCO Airport from Rome
The FCO Train Station – the Leonardo Express and FM1
Getting to FCO Early and Airport Hotel Options!
Best Places to MEET someone at the FCO Airport
The SitBus Shuttle Travel Option to/from FCO
The “Renaming” of the FCO Terminals
Terminal 5 looks like a converted airplane hangar that has been refurbished – actually, according to the ADR website, it used to be a cargo facility. Once you inside, you’ll probably come to the same conclusion. It’s only one-level, with with 3 entrances, an Information desk, special assistance lounge, police station, check-in desks, small coffee shop, VAT counter, special security checks & passport control. It’s been divided into three distinct areas: Profiling, Check-In, and a Security/Passport Control area. When passengers flying from Rome to the US depart from Terminal 5, they will enter the profiling area where security interviews are conducted. Once cleared, passengers then proceed to the check-in area. Once checked in, the last stop is at airport security and passport control.
A new “connection” to the main terminals is in the plans, but until it’s complete, all passengers will be bussed from T5 to a Satellite gate area. It’s a little disconcerting that to get from the other terminals you are bussed to T5 and then bussed back? The trip before the trip! The US Air Transport Association actually complained about this process.
Getting to T5
To get to T5 via taxi or private shuttle from Rome, DO INFORM your driver that you need to go T5 and not the main terminal areas. Otherwise you’ll get dropped off at T3 and have to get onto a shuttle bus. The taxis and private shuttles can pull up directly in front of the doors of T5.
If you are arriving by SITBus, the Leonardo Express, or by FM1 train…bad news – you’ll have to walk to the sidewalk on the main road 
in front of Terminal 3 (formerly Terminal C) and catch the Airport shuttle bus service to T5. Look for the “navetta T5 shuttle bus” sign on the sidewalk outside T3. The shuttle buses arrive… well, inconsistently. And often they are PACKED. On top of that, they’re usually just converted city buses and thus not made to drag tons of luggage onto. So be prepared to be forceful as you enter the shuttle bus to Terminal 5.
The first airport shuttles to T5 usually start about 06:45 because T5 usually opens around 07:00 (note the italics… this is Italy!). Often, the security gates in T5 don’t open until 07:30. That’s because most US-flagged flights don’t arrive at FCO until after 06:00 – then they empty and prepare for the return trip to the US. This terminal is usually closed by 14:00 because there are no more US-flagged airlines flying back to the US in the afternoon.
The walkway from the FCO train station to T3
Road in front of Terminal 3 – stairs down from FCO train station pedestrian walkway
The shuttle bus from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5
Walking to Terminal 5 is really not an option. It’s only about 900 meters from Terminal 3 (and the train station) but parts of the road have NO sidewalk and are quite uneven. I’ve done this walk and I do not recommend this path if you have luggage. I was late – no shuttle in site – so I took off. Not a walk I want to repeat.
For a larger, printable Google map, Click here. In the above map, the numbers represent each Terminal. Also displayed are the shuttle bus stops, the train station and the rental car offices. Use the “+” or “-” signs to zoom in and out on the map.
These three maps can give you some perspective on WHERE Terminal 5 is located. If you’re coming into the airport, you’ll pass T1, T2, then T3, and finally drive 900 more meters (bearing right) and arrive at the separate, remote T5. So it’s the LAST Terminal on the one-way road that runs in front of the Airport. You can also see from these maps where the Satellite G gates are located, and the sky bridge that connects it to the main Terminal buildings. Again, if you’re DEPARTING through T5, you’ll be heading to Satellite Gates G in an airside shuttle bus.
Walking across the overhead pedestrian walkway towards Terminal 3
If you are returning your rental car, you’ll drop it in the parking garages across from Terminal 3. In the top map you can see the parking garages: labeled A,B,C,D, and E. The rental car garages are mostly in garages B and C. After you turn in your car you’ll have to walk across the pedestrian overpass, down to the main street in front of Terminal 3… and again, catch the airport shuttle bus to Terminal 5. Looking at the top map, Terminal 5 would be to the FAR LEFT of the T3. Give yourself plenty of time for this process!
Inside T5
The good news is that check-in at T5 is FAR BETTER than the old system, where you checked in the C Terminal amidst total chaos! Of course, that’s not saying much. If you ever had the C Terminal US-flight experience – and I have many times over – you’ll appreciate the organization at T5. Although there are about the same number of security machines, check-in desks, and passport control booths as at the C Terminal in the old days, now it’s a smaller group of people attempting to go through them. T5 appears spacious as compared to the crowds and crisscrossed lines in Terminal C. Since all the airlines are US (with the exception of El Al), you’ll probably see some more familiar check-in kiosks and counters. If you knew the old terminal system, you’ll recognize right away that there’s far more room for queues, a foreboding thought in an Italian airport… Room for more people to wait and wait and…
Once inside you’ll head for your US-flagged airline counter and check-in. Many of the airlines have modern kiosks with passport scanners, etc. then you drop off your baggage, as per US Airline restrictions, and go through the passport control and security screening. The screening process IS more detailed – plan on taking off your shoes – which I rarely do in Europe. Some folks are pulled over for more intense screening, although I never have.
A few Interior Views of Terminal 5
Note on the above sign, all flights from this Terminal have a desk number that starts with a “5.”
Once you pass through the security gauntlet, you enter a “waiting area.” What are you waiting for? A Bus! Yes, now you will be bussed from Terminal 5 to the secure, Satellite G gates. It is separated from the other terminals, connected by a sky-bridge (with a sky-train) and for you, connected by bus! These buses WILL BE the airport type that are easy to load luggage on – of course, you’ll already dropped off your bigger luggage pieces???
The waiting area AFTER clearing security in Terminal 5
The airside shuttle bus from Terminal 5 to Satellite Gates G
Satellite Gates G
When you arrive at the G Satellite gates, you’ll have to climb a set of stairs to get from the tarmac to the G Gate area. There is a single elevator, so you may have to wait in line if you need the elevator. Hopefully, as they move to “connect” T5 to the Satellite G Gate area they will improve this system.
The Satellite G Gates are also used by other non-American carriers. It’s in the non-Schengen, International section of the airport. So once you are through T5 and out at the G gates you may see British Airways, Luthansa, etc. But, as a US-flagged airline ticket holder departing FROM Rome, you’ll have to go through T5 to get out to the G gates.
Once out at the G gates there is an Autogrill and a MyChef for refreshments (often understaffed so be prepared for a wait). Also you’ll find a large Good Buy Roma duty-free shop. And there are these shops: Hermes, Loro Piano, Bvlgari, Prada, Guess, Gucci, Tumi, Emporio Armani, Alpha Accessories, Bruno Magli, D&G, Furla, Valentino, Dixon’s Travel, La Camiceria, Canestro, la Feltrinelli Express, and Just Design.
Some Additional Thoughts
Again, this terminal is only for US-flagged carriers – but Alitalia and Delta are Skymiles and code-share partners so do check to see who is OPERATING your flight. If it’s Alitalia, they primarily operate out of Terminal 1. So do know whose plane you’re actually getting on!
Terminal 5 is ONLY for outbound passengers. There are no gates at this terminal. Currently, to leave T5 after you’ve checked in, you must get on a secure, airport bus. No one EVER ARRIVES at Terminal 5 (It’s like a reverse of Hotel California – you can depart but never arrive!). Terminal 5 has no inbound processing… it’s just an offsite processing area for departing passengers. Many US-flagged airlines will tell you that you’ll be arriving at T5 – Not true.. No one ARRIVES at T5! If you are coming from the US to Rome on a US flagged carrier, you’ll probably arrive at Satellite Gate G (as that’s where their plane will depart from!). From Satellite Gate G, you will ride the Sky-bridge into Terminal 3 – which is where all incoming, non-Schengen flights are processed. Simply put, you have to go through Passport Control.
Very infrequently, your plane may not make it to a gate and the airliner will park on the tarmac – as sometimes all gates at G Satellite are full – and you will be bussed into Terminal 3. So all arriving International, non-Schengen passengers (and that includes flights entering from the US) will arrive at Terminal 3… and not Terminal 5. Don’t worry if your airline says T5… you’ll be following the crowd and signage anyway! For more help on your entry into FCO, see our post, Arriving at FCO.
We own many larger, wheeled luggage pieces. With today’s weight limitations your bag has to be light AND durable. These larger bags meet that – and many other criteria! Click on any bag to see ratings, prices and more information. For USA guests, see more Luggage Options at our Travel Store, Magellan’s Travel Supplies, or look in amazon.com. Non-USA Guests can search for luggage at amazon.co.uk.
We own many larger, wheeled luggage pieces. With today’s weight limitations your bag has to be light AND durable. These larger bags meet that – and many other criteria! Click on any bag to see ratings, prices and more information. For USA guests, see more Luggage Options at our Travel Store, Magellan’s Travel Supplies, or look in amazon.com. Non-USA Guests can search for luggage at amazon.co.uk.
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Special thanks to El Al, who posted many of these pictures on the Airlines.net Forum.
Also, additional photos are from the Aeroporto di Roma Flickr site
Ilia, Alitalia flights, direct to the USA, generally leave from Terminal 3. Domestic and Schengen flights for Alitalia do arrive/depart primarily from T1. Not sure what airline you are arriving from Geneva on (KLM, Air France, and Alitalia would all arrive in T1 – most everyone else in T3); If you are on a Schengen flight, there is NO passport control.
Many places in Trastevere would stay open late – even on a Sunday. You could ride the FR1 train to Roma Trastevere Station and then take the #8 tram towards town. See the Trenitalia website for FR1 departure times. On a Sunday night, they would be every 30 minutes (just like the Leonardo Express).
Ron,
, getting back on Leonardo at 5:52am, pick up carry-on in T3 and finally go through security in T1. That should make me sleep all the way Miami I think 
. I got a lot of information from you site, any advice will be much appreciated! Thanks!
Great website! Very helpful. Just to confirm, all Alitalia flights depart from Terminal 1, even those going to US, correct?
I connect in FCO from Geneva with Miami being final destination. Arriving at 8:10 pm (in terminal 1?) and spending all night in Rome! I’m planning on going through passport control quickly since this is a Schengen flight, locking my carry-on in the locker (it should be somewhere in T3), and boarding Leonardo Express (hopefully 9:06 pm but most likely 9:36pm) and then having late dinner (little concerned finding good Sunday late night place to have good food) and walking all night long( fountain di Trevi, piazza Navona, Collosseo, not sure where the path will bring me
Ilia
Ron – this is a great site! We did not realize, but we had a VERY poor plan until we read this. Now we will be able to travel to Rome this month with a little less chaos thanks to your descriptions. The airlines always wonder why travelers are so stressed and unpleasant – maybe they should update their sites with Blogs like yours!
Best wishes
Delta recommends arriving 3-hours in advance and I would concur. So I would try to arrive at the airport at 09:55. You should probably depart from the hotel, depending on where you’re staying and the day of the week, about 9:15 – 09:25.
Ron,
You have a great site which has been very helpful in planning my family’s trip to Rome. Our Delta flight back to the US departs at 12:55 pm. How much time should I allow to go through check-in, security and all the rest at terminal five so as to arrive at Gate G in time to board our flight? (Our hotel has a shuttle van to take us to the airport, so that is not a concern.)
Thanks.
Diane,
T5 usually does not open until after around 07:00, and sometimes a few minutes later. I’d shoot for a 07:00 arrival time. Your flight is one of the earlier flights back. There are NO porters at FCO and I’d be careful accepting “porter” help from anyone. There are the “roller carts” available to rent – hopefully they will have the area stocked at your early arrival time. Good Luck!
My Delta flight leaves Rome at 9:40 am. I have a driver picking me up at my hotel in Rome at 6:00 am. That should put me at the Rome Airport, Terminal 5 around 6:45am. Is this too early to check in? Should I leave Rome later? I certainly don’t want to have to stand outside T5 until they open, but I do want to be there in time to go through all the checks necessary and time to travel to my departure gate.
Also, are there porters to help with bags? I will be coming from a long cruise and have 3 bags which are too many for me to handle myself. If there are no porters, are there luggage carts to rent?
Paula, there are many factors to consider so a “best-estimate” would say you’ll make Roma Termini station in 2 to 2.5 hours after you land. If your plane arrives on time you have to clear immigration (passport control). This can take 5 minutes or much longer if multiple non-Schengen planes have arrived ahead of you. Hard to give you a fixed time there. Then, you have to get your luggage. Waiting on luggage usually takes 25-30 minutes, although I’ve been there for more than an hour at FCO. So if your luggage is waiting on you, you could clear the terminals in less than 30 minutes. If not, much longer. You’ll then walk to the FCO train station and take the LE (maybe a 6-8 minute walk). The LE departs twice an hour, so you might have to wait up to 20+ minutes if you’re timing is off. Then the train takes 31 minutes. So, you’re looking at anywhere from 1.5 – 2.5 hours, and to me the wildcard is your luggage time. If you had carry-on only, you could get through much quicker. Sorry I could not be more specific. I would not buy tickets in advance for my arrival day. Just too many variables.
Flying into FCO from the US arriving at 8:55. How much time should we allow to get our luggage, buy train tickets then arrive and board a train to Venice? We plan to take the Leonardo Express into Termini.
Thanks.
Missy, if your first flight is on time, your two flights are codeshared, and the lines are not backed up in passportt control – then you should have no trouble making your 09:45 flight. Your best best is just to remaqin in the secured area, and walk from the passport control area to the B Gates, which most Alitalia slights depart from. Terminal 1 is OUTSIDE the secured area. If you have to re-check your luggage or pick up your ticket in T1, then things could get more challenging.
Buon giorno — Thanks so much for all the great info above. I will be arriving at FCO on Continental/United, and although they told me I arrive at T5, it sounds like I’ll actually arrive at Satellite Gate G, and then taking the Sky-Bridge into Terminal 3 to Passport Control.
I then have a connecting flight on Alitalia to Naples departing from T1. Once I clear Passport Control in T3, would it be best for me to walk through the terminal to T1, or to catch a not-so-reliable shuttle bus?
Do you think I can make this all happen with two hours to get on the Naples flight (I arrive at 7:45AM in FCO, and flight to Naples is at 9:45AM).
Many thanks for this terrific information. I appreciate any advice you can share with me.
If you bought your tickets jointly, if they are codeshared (Alitalia and Delta ARE partners)… and if you’re luggage is checked ALL the way through to Atlanta (and I’d make sure it is)… then you can stay airside, go through passport control and ride the Skytrain out to Terminal G. That’s a lot of “if’s” so I’d check with the airlines. The primary concern would be HOW you bought the tickets and through WHO. Normally, buying through an airline website (Alitalia or Delta) protects you – because they are partners. But some of the 3rd party vendors actually book separate tickets – and that opens up a while different set of problems for you. But if they do check your luggage through to ATL, you should be able to avoid T5 as you’re already behind the security zone.
SO if Iarrived in Rome FCO from Catania, Italy on Alitalia, and have a Delta flight to ATL ,I do not have to go to T5? I can just take the sky bridge? What if I checked luggage on my Alitalia flight?
Jacob – Here is the contact info for the Terminal 3 Duty-Free Store:
Email: dutyfree@adr.it
Tel: +39 6659 53400
Please let me know (Terminal 3) duty free shop main office email address; I bought by mistake Women parfume instead Men (Burberry / Touch). Would like to replace it. Thanks in advance, Jacob Stern
Leaving from terminal 5 next week and couldn’t find any info on it, your article has been very helpful,thanks!
Just one other comment after returning home to the US via FCO. The area around T5 looks more like an industrial complex (tanks, storage bins, etc.) than an airport terminal area. That might be a good thing to mention in your otherwise very good description. It helped me a lot.
Pattie,
I don’t like traveling on the day of my flight from Rome, but if he leaves early enoough… yes, this is doable – but quite risky. Once into Roma Termini, he will have a 10-12 minute walk from the main section of the train terminal to the departure point of the Leonardo Express – so give him some time. The LE departs at 22 and 52 past the hour and takes 31 minutes. It would take about the same time as a taxi WITHOUT traffic… do it’s really a toss-up. But if he gets in at 8:45 and SPRINTS he might make the 8:52 LE train. If he misses it, he will not be able to ride the LE until 9:22, arriving at 9:53… then he has to walk down from the train station, wait on an airport shuttle, and ride to T5. I doubt he would get there until 10:15 with this scenario. Delta asks you to be there 3 hours before departure….. so this could be a problem – and this is best case scenario! The taxi, without traffic, could get you there a little earlier. There is an IC train that gets in at 8:24 Am but if you’re train is late or delayed… it’s an issue! Why not come in the day before and spend the night in Rome????
Help, pls Ron! From earliest fast (eurostar)train from florence to roma termini train station (arriving 9:30a) need to get to terminal @ FCO 5 for a 12 noon delta departure to u.s. 1. leonardo express from roma termini to terminal 3 then shuttle? (is leonardo express platform close to where we’ll get off eurostar?) i understand a ticket all the way thru – including the leo express – can be purchased @ florence ticket window?) OR 2. get a taxi from roma termini directly to terminal 5? (i realize big price diff – but will taxi to terminal actually be faster than leo express which takes 1/2 hr between roma termini and terminal 3 @ FCO and then onto the shuttle?).
PS – my post is regarding our 20yr old son, traveling alone, doesnt speak italian. your info is very rich & you know what you are talking about….very helpful! my Qs are specific to trying to make best time coming from florence early morning to ensuring he gets on a 12noon flight to u.s. – very tight i know, but doable. he can get into roma termini earliest 8:45a – (earlier post had incorrect time) the alternative is to change air ticket which is very cost prohibitive. thanks again.
Shelley, thanks for your comments. As far as returning a rental car, drive to the airport and follow the signs for DEPARTURES… keep driving past T1, T2, and T3 and you’ll see the signage to bear right down from an overpass towards T5. Follow the signs to T5 and there is an area to park, unload, etc right out in front of the terminal (You can see that area in the header picture of this article). Then, then drivers can get back into the vehicles and do ANOTHER loop around the Airport area. As you re-enter the Terminal area, you have to follow the signage to LONG-TERM parking. There are NO car rental return signs initially. Then as you get nearer to the terminals, you’ll see the Rental Car return signage (might look for it on your first trip in before you drop everyone off!). After you drop off your cars, walk out of the garages and catch the Airport Shuttle (on the main street in front of the terminals) and head to T5. Do give yourself plenty of time!
GREAT Information as always Ron-your site is the best out there!! Any chance you can provide additional info on dropping passengers/luggage at T5 then returning rental cars? We have a group of 9 with a toddler and 3 rental cars-the guys will be dropping us off then returning the cars. With all of the extra time needed for T5 would like to make it as clear for them as I can on where they go to return the Hertz rentals after they drop us off. THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!
Thank you Ron!! This is exactly the information I was looking for. The airport website is not anywhere close to helpful on this subject, and with all the pictures, links and descriptions you provide, I feel as though I have been to FCO before, and now know exactly what to do when we arrive, and depart. The Google map link even supports the Streetside view so you can literally drive the T5 approach ‘virtually’ from the comforts of home! You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t tell my wife about this though… She’s going to think I’m a genius!
Just wanted to add that private cars can drop off at T5. You have to keep your eyes open on the roundabouts to find T5 if this is the driver’s first time going there.
Great point Tony,
This article is written primarily for those folks departing FROM the FCO airport but your post makes an EXCELLENT observation. If you are ALREADY behind security, as in Tony’s example of a connecting flight, you can ride the Sky-Bridge out to the G Satellite Gates. You must go through passport control if you are in the non-Schengen area of the airport… but if you are connecting – and you are ALREADY in the secured Departute Gate Areas – you are not required to go through T5.
Of course, this can be very confusing! When in doubt, if Rome is your 1st departure airport of your trip, you’re coming from an unsecured area, and you’re headed to the US on a US-flagged carrier, then you will have to enter the airport system by going through T5!
One caveat to your great report.
If you are connecting on seperate PNRs without luggage you do not need to go over to T5. I routinely fly CTA (Catania) to FCO on Alitalia early in the morning to catch a CO or UA departure to the States. I always only have handbags so I just walk over to the gate area going through passport control in the terminal. One does not need to go through security again for this. It does often shock the counter agents at the gate area that I was not “inspected” or stickered outside, something they must do there, but it is quite nice to not have to go through the T5 hassle you describe above.
Great website BTW.
Tony
Wow! This is amazingly helpful. I can see how confusing it would be if you had no idea what you were getting into!! thanks for taking the time!