civitavecchia cruise port to rome

How to Travel From Civitavecchia to Rome by Train and Shuttle

Barry Winiker / Photolibrary / Getty Images

If you're taking a Mediterranean cruise that has a stop in Rome, your ship will most likely dock in Civitavecchia , a port city that's located about 37 miles north of the Italian capital. If Rome is your final destination, then you can leisurely make your way into the city and enjoy your time there, which hopefully includes at least a few days to take in all that Rome has to offer.

However, for most cruise ship passengers, Civitavecchia is just a port of call meaning they only have the day to disembark and explore. Getting to Rome is definitely possible either by public transit or a hired shuttle service, but you need to plan ahead in order to make the most of your limited time in the Eternal City.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Civitavecchia to Rome?

The train is by far the least expensive method for getting from Civitavecchia to Rome, and you have two different train options to choose from. The absolute cheapest option is to take one of the several regional trains that leave throughout the day. Tickets cost just under 5 euros, or about $5, each way, bringing passengers to Roma Ostiense or Roma Termini stations in under an hour. The downside to using these trains is that the departure and arrival times may not match up with when your cruise ship arrives or departs, or worse, a delay on the return trip could mean you don't make it back to the ship in time.

The second option is the Civitavecchia Express, a special train for cruise passengers that leaves twice every morning as people are disembarking from their ships and returns to Civitavecchia later the same day for embarkation. This train costs 15 euros for a roundtrip ticket—roughly $15—so even though it's a little more expensive than the regional train, you can rest assured that your train will be waiting for you when you arrive and are ready to return. Your ticket guarantees a seat and there are 718 spots available on each line. If you're on a particularly large cruise, or you happen to be docking at the same time as another ship, seats may go quickly so try to purchase tickets well in advance. One other advantage of the Civitavecchia Express is that the train also makes a stop at the Vatican (San Pietro) train stop, so it's ideal for passengers who want to use their time in Rome to visit the Holy See .

The Civitavecchia train station is about a mile and a half from the port, which takes 20-30 minutes to walk on foot if you're not rushing. For a couple of extra euros, you can book a bus with the Civitavecchia Express train ticket that picks up from the port entrance and brings you directly to the train station.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Civitavecchia to Rome?

The cheapest way to get from Civitavecchia to Rome also happens to be the fastest. Both the regional trains and the Civitavecchia Express shuttle passengers to Roma Ostiense station in about 50 minutes and to Roma Termini in one hour (only the Express train stops outside of the Vatican, which takes 40 minutes). Roma Termini is the main train station and connected to both of Rome's metro lines , with easy connections to the rest of the city. Roma Ostiense is located in the heart of Ancient Rome and within walking distance of sites like the Colosseum and Circus Maximus.

Is There a Shuttle Service Available?

One of the least stressful ways to spend some time in Rome is to hire a shuttle or private car service. You can either book a seat in a shared van that brings a group of people into Rome or hire a private car that oftentimes includes a tour guide. Companies include Civitavecchia Cab Service , Zelit Limousine , and My Cab in Rome .

Even though it's much pricier than taking the train and usually slower due to Roman traffic, the convenience of having a car waiting for you at the port and not worrying about train stops is well worth the extra cost to many. If you choose a private car service that includes a guided tour, it's an efficient way to get the most out of your few hours in Rome.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Rome?

Cruise ships arrive in Civitavecchia throughout the week but always in the morning, and using the Civitavecchia Express is the best way to coordinate your train into the city. If you choose to use a car service, your trip to Rome is likely to be held up by morning commute traffic, so don't forget to take into account when planning your itinerary.

The most popular cruise season is during the summer months, summer actually isn't the best time to visit Rome. The weather can be brutally hot and it's also the high-season for tourists, so most of the main attractions will be packed. A visit to Rome in the spring or fall is more ideal as the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller, though fall does bring some rain.

What Is There to Do in Rome?

If your port of call is in Rome and you only have a few hours to explore this iconic city, you should plan ahead and know exactly what sites you want to see before you arrive. Rome is filled with world-famous attractions and you'll have the difficult task of selecting which ones to prioritize. Ancient sites, such as the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, and Pantheon, are scattered across the city. The Trevi Fountain is arguably the most famous fountain in the world and happens to be located not far from the Spanish Steps. You likely won't have time to visit Rome and Vatican City if you only have a few hours, so choose the one that most interests you. However, if you're in for a few days, we have an three-day itinerary that will help you hit all the highlights.

Don't forget to save some time for a quick lunch, since you can't visit Rome without trying local dishes such as spaghetti carbonara, cacio e pepe, and thin crispy pizza.

Civitavecchia, a port city where many Mediterranean cruises dock, is located 37 miles north of Rome.

The train from Civitavecchia to Rome costs $5.

Catch a train at the Civitavecchia train station, 1.5 miles from the port, where you can catch an express or regional train to Roma Ostiense station or Roma Termini station.

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Civitavecchia cruise port to Rome – Civitavecchia Express train

If you are planning a cruise from Rome and want to spend more time in the city after your cruise, the Civitavecchia Express train makes it easier than ever to travel by train from the Civitavecchia cruise port to Rome’s city center.

Most cruise passengers spend, on average, just three days in Rome either before or after their cruise. But if you want to experience Rome, you’ll need to stay as long as your time and budget allow. It is one of the most awe-inspiring, rewarding, and memorable cities you will ever visit. 

Quick navigation

The Civitavecchia Express train – from the cruise port to the city in no time

Introducing the Civitavecchia Express train during the Mediterranean cruise season and the Civitavecchia Port Link bus service means transferring from your cruise ship to central Rome is smooth and hassle-free. 

It is also the fastest and cheapest way to travel than a private transfer or shuttle service.

The port city of Civitavecchia lies about 85km northeast of Rome. The bus ride from the cruise terminal to the train station takes 10 minutes. The train journey takes just under 1 hour to reach Rome. You do not need to change trains.

Fast and reliable train services

Trains in Italy are generally very reliable. They all offer luggage space and comfortable seating.

Some trains are older than others. Our tip is to pay a few euros extra per person to get a seat in a higher-class cabin where possible. It’s more comfortable, and you have more areas to place your suitcase.

Civitavecchia Express train and Civitavecchia Port Link bus service

The Civitavecchia Express Train quickly transports passengers from Civitavecchia cruise port to Rome without traffic jams or heat.

From the port itself, the Civitavecchia Port Link shuttle bus takes you from the port entrance, called Largo Della Pace, to the train station in Civitavecchia. From there, it is a seamless journey into Rome.

You buy both tickets together as a package (shuttle bus + train), selecting “Civitavecchia Porto. ” When you purchase a ticket, you are guaranteed a seat on board the train. No one is left standing.

How often does the Civitavecchia Express Train leave the Civitavecchia train station?

There are two trains every day. The departure time considers the arrival times of cruise ships into Civitavecchia port. All the major cruise lines use this port for cruises from or to Rome.

In the 2023 cruise season, the service will ran up until November 1st, 2023. The departure times were:

Departing Civitavecchia train station at 9.07 am, arriving at Roma Ostiense at 10.10 am (with one stop in between at Roma San Pietro train station).

• If you are staying nearby or want to visit Vatican City or Castel Sant D’Angelo, exit the train at Roma San Pietro station.
• Exit the train at Roma Ostiense if you are staying nearby or want to visit the Colosseum or The Forum.

Departing Rome Ostiense at 4.30 pm, arriving at Civitaveccha train station at 5.20pm.

Service and train times are subject to change, so be sure to check the times when you book. Tickets are often only bookable three months before your planned travel date.

How much does the train journey cost?

The combined train and shuttle bus ticket costs about 12 euros per person (this can change, so check the website to see your total price at the time of booking).

Children under 4 years old travel free and have no luggage size limits.

Children under 12 years old who are traveling with an adult are free on the train, and they only pay the shuttle bus fare of 2 euros.

Is the train journey direct and non-stop?

The train journey from Civitavecchia port to Rome is direct. You have two choices of stops in Rome:

1st stop: Roma San Pietro Station (St. Peter’s)

This journey only takes around 35 minutes. If your hotel is close to Vatican City or the area around Castel Sant’Angelo, or if you want to visit the Vatican Museums, get off the train here.

2nd stop: Roma Ostiense Station

From Civitavecchia port to Ostiense is about a one-hour journey. This is the closest stop to the Colosseum or Circus Maximus but still not within walking distance. You will need to continue your journey using the underground metro train for two stops to get to the Colosseum. Rome Ostiense is in southern Rome, and you may need to continue your journey using the underground metro to reach your hotel.

Is there an Express train for the journey from Rome to Civitavecchia to start my cruise?

Yes! You can also book the express train from Rome to Civitavecchia train station if you want to travel in the other direction. However, there is currently just one train daily for this journey, leaving Rome at 4:30 pm. This will be too late if you want to join your cruise ship on the same day.

So you can use the express train to get to Civitavecchia if you stay at a hotel in Civitavecchia the night before you start your cruise.

If you want to get to Civitavecchia earlier in the day, you must book a regional train.

The regional train has very regular daily services from Rome’s Termini station and costs around 5 euros per person.

How do I book my ticket?

• Book your ticket for the Civitavecchia Express train and Civitavecchia Port Link bus service via Trenitalia’s website . Note that departure times are subject to change, so check the time when you book. Search for the ticket by typing “Civitavecchia Porto – Roma Termini. ” The option will give you CIVITAVECCHIA PORTLINK plus the regional train number.
• All other tickets with regular trains can be booked on the Omio travel and transportation platform .
• If you cannot find the Civitavecchia Express ticket option, it may mean that the tickets for your chosen travel date are not bookable at the moment. Alternatively, it could mean that Trenitalia has not yet released the train schedule for the coming cruise season.
• Note that the Express train ticket will not include any metro, buses, or trams when you are in Rome.
• Book the Civitavecchia Express train and Civitavecchia Port Link bus service about three months before your travel date.
• Using Omio, you can also search, compare, and book other regional, intercity, and fast trains in Rome and Italy.
• If you have paper train tickets, you must remember to validate them at the machines in the train station before climbing on board.

Can I purchase a train ticket on board the train?

The simple answer is no. You must always have a valid ticket when you get on the train, whether it is an electronic ticket or a paper ticket.

If you are carrying a paper ticket, you must also remember to validate the ticket at the ticket machine marked at the station before you board your train.

What are my other options for traveling between Civitavecchia port and Rome?

Regional trains frequently run between the Civitavecchia and Rome’s central station, Termini. You do not need to use the express train if you find a regional train better suited to the time of travel you need.

Take the port shuttle bus from your cruise terminal for 2 euros to Civitavecchia train station. Then, take the train from Civitavecchia to Roma Termini. The journey time is anywhere from 47 minutes if you book the fast train for around 11 euros to 1 hour and 26 minutes for a regional train, which costs about 5 euros and is the cheapest option.

You can choose the departure time, journey length, and price that suits you on the Omio website. Alternatively, you can purchase a ticket at the train station in Civitavecchia or on the Omio website.

Does the express train link to the airport?

To get to Rome-Fiumicino airport, Rome’s international airport, also known as Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, you will need to get the regional train. The Civitavecchia Express Train does not service the airport.

When you book a train ticket for a regional train from the station to the airport, choose the one offering a direct service in the quickest time.

What are the Frecce trains in Italy?

Trains called Le Frecce are modern, high-speed trains that connect destinations all over Italy. Some of these trains travel up to 360km per hour.

There are three different types of Le Frecce trains: Frecciabianco, Frecciarossa, and Frecciabianca. If you see these train names, you know you are traveling on a fast train.

Fast trains are more expensive than the regional trains. However, they are faster, have frequent connections, are more modern, have better facilities, and are a fantastic way to travel in Italy. They are also more expensive.

If you are extending your stay to include other regions in Italy, then the fast train is an easy and comfortable way to travel. You can travel by fast train to areas such as Florence and Venice .

Search, compare , and book your tickets on Italy’s fast trains via Omio’s search and booking platform. This allows you to quickly find the best journey for you and your family.

Meet the author: Sarah has created and booked hundreds of travel itineraries for thousands of customers during a career in the travel industry that spans 20 years. Having worked hand in hand with cruise lines, hotels, airlines and tour operators worldwide, she offers inspiring & detailed insights in the world of travel and tourism.

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3 thoughts on “Civitavecchia cruise port to Rome – Civitavecchia Express train”

i am arriving at civitavvechia on june 24, when can i reserve my fare to rome on the express

Hello Jose, and thank you for contacting us at CruiseTrail! Tickets are often only bookable three months before your planned travel date. We are still waiting for the 2024 timetable from Trenitalia for the Civitavecchia Express Train. We will update the information on this web page as soon as we receive it. In the meantime, I recommend you check Trenitalia’s website from around March onwards for train tickets.

Thank you very much! This was very helpful. I need to be able to return to my ship on time- It’s in port for 1 day. All the tours that I want to attend in Rome are sold out -so I’m on my own-but a bit nervous about missing the boat!

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How to Get From Civitavecchia to Rome

By Elyssa Bernard

August 2, 2021

Do you need to get from Civitavecchia to Rome? 

If your cruise stops in, starts from, or ends in Rome, here's everything you need to know about how to get into the city for a shore excursion or longer stay in a hotel or apartment .

Does your cruise begin or end in Rome, or just stop here?

You have two options for getting from Civitavecchia to Rome (or vice-versa): train or taxi .

A lot of Mediterranean cruises stop near Rome, in the modern port city of Civitavecchia, Italy.

This port is about 80 km (50 miles) outside of Rome .

It takes about 1-1.5 hrs to get between Rome and Civitavecchia , depending on mode of transportation. 

Whether you are starting or ending your Mediterranean cruise in the Rome port of Civitavecchia, or you are stopping in Rome for the day on your cruise, here are your options for travelling between the two cities. 

Civitavecchia to Rome - If your cruise ends in Rome port

If your cruise ends in Rome, and you need to get from the port of Civitavecchia to Rome, you can take the train, or hire a private car service.

Civitavecchia to Rome by train

Thanks to  http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/ for this map. It's not actually that easy to find maps of the train routes! Even Trenitalia does not have maps of their train routes.

If you take the train from Civitavecchia to Rome, note that you first have to get from where your ship docks to the end of the port. Depending on where you disembark, this could be a good 10-15 minute walk. There is also a free shuttle that will take you from the dock to the entry of the port, so use the shuttle to avoid this part of the walk, especially if you are hauling luggage.

From the port, the Civitavecchia train station is about 4 blocks away, or about a 5-10 minutes' walk. 

Using the Trenitalia website to see the train schedules from Civitavecchia to Rome

The trains leave pretty regularly, and cost from 5-18 Euros one way, depending on the speed of the train. There are two types of train you can take from Civitavecchia to Rome: a commuter/regional train, or a fast train ( Frecciabianca , which is a Eurostar train.)

To see the train schedules, go to the Trenitalia website. You may click on the flag in the top right corner of the page to go to the English version.

On the main page, in the From ( Da)  field, start typing " Civitavecchia ." It will guess this word about halfway through your typing. In the To ( A)  field, start typing "Roma." Leave it at that to show all Rome stations.

Select the date of travel, and then set an earlier time than you need, just to see all the options. Click the Search button. The next page will show you a list of all the trains you can take, and their schedules.

Trenitalia shows times but does not show costs for regional trains more than 7 days in advance. If you are searching for schedules with more than 7 days' notice, you will only see the rates for the Frecciabianca or Intercity trains on the results page. In any case, you don't need to buy regional tickets online or in advance, and can get them in the Civitavecchia train station. Costs for regional trains are usually under 10€ one way.

Which train to take to get from Civitavecchia to Rome?

As you can see from the above screenshot, the trains run quite frequently (although the Frecciabianca  or fast trains are not that frequent and don't depart Civitavecchia before 11am.) Here is what the above train types are and what they mean to you:

• Intercity -  this is the fastest of the commuter trains, but note that it drops you at the Roma Ostiense train station. This means you will need to get from there to wherever else you want to go. I.e. you can take the metro from there to Termini station or to the Colosseum.
• Regionale -  meaning, regional train, making lots of small stops and moving slowly
• Regionale Veloce -  meaning fast regional train, making fewer small stops than the regular regionale
• Frecciabianca  - this is the Eurostar, or fast train.

The reason the rates are "starting from" is because you can buy second or first class tickets on some of the trains (except the regional ones.) A first class ticket on the regional veloce and intercity trains will buy you a little more leg room and perhaps a slightly less crowded car (although don't count on this especially during high cruising seasons.)

If you click the little italic "i" for more information about a given train, you will see all the stops it makes. So the reason the Intercity train is so quick, is a) it hardly makes any stops (literally goes between two cities and that's it) and b) it stops at Ostiense station which is before Termini station. Likewise, the reason the Frecciabianca train is so fast is a) it's a Eurostar (a fast train) and b) it goes non-stop between Civitavecchia and Rome Termini station.

Civitavecchia to Rome - purchasing your train ticket

There is no need to purchase your train ticket in advance. For the regional trains, you do not get a seat assignment in any case, and they sell as many tickets as there are people who want them.

Even for the Frecciabianca  trains, which are reservation only, you will not have any problem getting this ticket at the Civitavecchia train station.

You can buy your ticket at the train station once you are in Civitavecchia. You can go to a ticket purchase window that has a human, or from a self-service ticket kiosk, which is very easy to use and has menus in English. You can also buy regional tickets (but not Frecciabianca  tickets) from the news stand.

Ready to plan your trip?

From Civitavecchia to Rome on the regional trains, and which stop to get off

With the  regionale  and  regionale veloce  trains, you can stop at San Pietro (the Vatican), Ostiense and Trastevere, as well as of course, the main station, Termini.

• San Pietro (Saint Peters, or the Vatican) - The obvious reason for stopping at San Pietro is if you are on a day trip and want to start your visit here , or, if you are staying in a hotel in this area. 
• Ostiense  - you would get off here if you are staying in this area, or, if you are on a day trip into Rome and want to go first to the Colosseum. From Ostiense, you get on the blue Metro line B to the Colosseo metro stop. Also, from Ostiense, you can go to Fiumicino airport, on another regional train.
• Trastevere  - Trastevere is a charming, bohemian and historic neighbourhood in Rome, on the other side of the Tiber river. Get off at Trastevere if you are staying here, or if you want to start your Rome visit here on a short day trip (although with limited time in Rome, I'd recommend a slightly different itinerary unless you've been to Rome before.) From Trastevere, you can also go to  Fiumicino airport,  on another regional train.
• Termini  - this is the main train station in Rome. From here, you can get the Leonardo Express train to Fiumicino airport (faster than the regional trains you could catch at either Ostiense or Trastevere.) You can also get on a Terravision or Sit bus to either Ciampino or Fiumicino airport. And of course, you can take the metro, a taxi or a bus from here to wherever you need to go in Rome.

If you get a Frecciabianca train, you will get assigned a car and seat number. So you don't need to validate your ticket. For all the other types of tickets, you must validate your ticket in the little yellow or green box you will see in the train station, at the head of each track. If you don't validate these tickets, you risk a hefty fine.

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Civitavecchia to Rome by taxi

You will find a very few taxis at the port .

However, don't count on any of these to take you to the train station. And, if you want one of them to take you from Civitavecchia to Rome, you may find yourself out of luck. The huge number of passengers disembarking at once overwhelms the supply. 

Your best bet to get from Civitavecchia to Rome by taxi is to book in advance with a private car service.

Rates usually start at about 130 Euros for up to 3 people with luggage, and go up from there, depending on the number of people and luggage (the larger the vehicle, and the more people and luggage they have to take, the more it will cost.)

Rome to Civitavecchia - If your cruise leaves from Rome port

As above, you can take either a train or a car to Civitavecchia from Rome.

From Rome city center to Civitavecchia by train

If you are getting the train from Rome to Civitavecchia, you may reverse the information above. The main additional things to know are:

• You will likely leave Rome from Termini station . Consider that if you take a regionale or regionale veloce  train, you will also spend some time on the train just going around to the other Rome stations before the train really gets moving towards the port. This can be pretty slow so just be prepared and relax. 
• Once you get off the train at Civitavecchia, and walk to the port, you will want to take the free shuttle to your dock . This shuttle leaves from the Forte Michelango (it looks like a big fortress.)

The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican , Colosseum , Trevi Fountain , Pantheon , Piazza Navona , Spanish Steps , Castel Sant'Angelo , and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers .

From Rome to Civitavecchia by taxi

Unlike the fixed city taxi fares to the Rome airports , there is not a fixed city taxi fare from Rome to Civitavecchia.

You will want to hire a private car service for this. Costs start at 130 Euros for up to 3 people, and go higher from there depending on how many people and how much luggage you have (and therefore the car size needed.)

You should make sure to book with a car service that has permits to drive right onto the dock , i.e. under your ship, providing you with real "door-to-door" service. Not all limo companies have this permit so make sure to ask in advance.

Getting between Fiumicino airport in Rome and Civitavecchia

Getting between civitavecchia and fiumicino airport by train.

If you are flying into or out of Rome's  Fiumicino airport , and want to use the train to get to Civitavecchia, you have two options:

• Use the Leonardo Express train between Fiumicino and Rome's Termini train station . See above for getting to and from Civitavecchia and Termini. I would recommend this since the Leonardo Express is direct and does not stop between Rome and Fiumicino airport. The cost of the Leonardo Express train between Termini and Fiumicino is 14€ one way. You don't need to buy these tickets in advance, just get them right by where the train leaves before you are ready to leave.
• Use one of the regional trains to/from Fiumicino and either Ostiense or Trastevere stations . See above for getting to and from Civitavecchia and these smaller Rome train stations. These regional trains cost around 8-10 Euros one way but have lots of stops to make in between Fiumicino and Rome.

Heading to Florence?

Click here to read about how to get from Rome to Florence by high-speed train.

Getting between Civitavecchia and Fiumicino airport by car service

If you want a private car service to take you from the airport right to the port, or to pick you up from the port and drive you to the airport, you can and you should book this in advance .

Do not plan on "catching a taxi" at the airport or at the port. There are not set rates and you might be charged an exorbitant amount.

The private car service will of course be faster than taking the train, in part because both Civitavecchia and Fiumicino airport are on the coast, and only about 50 minutes' drive apart. 

When booking a car service in advance, double check that they have a permit to take you drive right up to the ship for pickup or drop off (not all of them do.)

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Hotels in Civitavecchia Italy

Do you need a hotel?

Civitavecchia has some options although it’s nicer to spend the night in Rome if you can.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel in Civitavecchia, you will have plenty of options.

What to do if your cruise stops for the day in Rome

Probably the most popular thing to do when people have a one-day stop in Rome is to hire a private car and driver.

The driver picks you up from the ship, takes you from Civitavecchia to Rome, gives you a driving tour of the city, and then drives you back to the ship.

This may be the most cost-effective in terms of seeing the most you can in a short amount of time. The drivers do this all the time, and they know how to give you a great "shore excursion" so you can see the highlights of Rome without having to plan an itinerary ahead of time.

But, you have other options as well:

• Go from Civitavecchia to Rome by train and visit Rome on your own (below)
• Visit the beautifully well-preserved and very under-visited ruins of Ostia Antica (skipping Rome)
• Visit some Etruscan towns near the Civitavecchia port (skipping Rome)

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Going from Civitavecchia to Rome for a day trip on your own

Rome day trip on your own - a 4-hour walking tour of rome.

It is absolutely doable to go on your own from Civitavecchia to Rome, and give yourself a wonderful walking tour of Rome. 

Take one of the  regionale  or  regionale veloce  trains from Civitavecchia to Rome, and get off the train at one of the first Rome stops,  San Pietro .

From here, it will take you about 15 minutes to walk to Saint Peter's Square .

For a step-by-step walking itinerary, use the map below as a guide. It shows how to see the top "must-see" attractions in Rome, in a 4-hour walk, starting at the San Pietro train station, and finishing at the Colosseum.

The first stop is Saint Peter's Square. You may decide to go inside Saint Peter's Basilica, which is free, but there is always a line for security. The wait time just to get through security can be at least half an hour but more likely an hour.

Once you are inside the basilica, plan on at least half an hour to walk around. 

Read more about Visiting the Vatican .

When you leave Saint Peter's, walk towards the Castel Sant'Angelo , and then cross the angel bridge. 

Take either via dei Coronari or via del Governo Vecchio (both cute shopping streets) to Piazza Navona.

Read more about Piazza Navona .

From Piazza Navona, it's a 3-5 minute walk to the pantheon, one of the oldest and most impressive monuments in Rome.

Read more about the Rome Pantheon .

Follow the map above to make your way to the Spanish Steps area.

As you walk between the Pantheon and the bottom of the Spanish Steps, you will be passing through two of Rome's most popular shopping zones, the area around the pantheon , and especially around the Spanish Steps .

Read more about the Spanish Steps .

Follow the map above to make your way from the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain. It's not far, maybe 10 minutes' walk. 

Read more about the Trevi Fountain .

Leaving the Trevi Fountain behind you, walk towards Piazza Venezia , and the big white wedding cake ( Complesso Vittoriano , or Altare della Patria ). Walk around this giant building to the right, and take the ramp up to the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill.)

From the back, on the right hand side, you will have a spectacular panoramic view of the Roman Forum , with a hint of the Coliseum in the background.

From the Campidoglio, Walk down the winding trett on the left side, and you will end up on the via dei Fori Imperiali. From there you can walk to the Colosseum.

Find out more about the Coliseum , including how to visit it without waiting in long lines.

From the Colosseum, you can take the Metro Blue line B to Termini train station, and get your train back to the dock to re-board your ship.

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An alternative to hotels in Rome can be staying in an exquisite private home.

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Civitavecchia to Rome on your own - using the hop-on/hop-off bus

When you dock at Civitavecchia, you may see places to purchase tickets for the hop-on/hop-off bus .

This can be a good way to get around Rome and get an overview.

If you have decided to use the hop-on/hop-off bus to see Rome, you can get this bus in front of Saint Peters Square , on via della Conciliazione.

No matter which hop-on/hop-off bus you take (there are many different companies), Saint Peters is always one of the stops.

You can either stay on the bus and let it loop you completely around (1.5 -2 hrs), or take it part way, get off, visit some sites, and hop back on again. 

The Pantheon , Spanish Steps , Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain are not visible from the bus, so you will need to get off to see them.

Also you may wish to stop for lunch somewhere.

Get off the hop-on/hop-off bus at either Termini station or back at Saint Peters again, to catch the train back to the ship.

Going from Civitavecchia to Ostia Antica

If you've been to Rome before, or, if you want to skip the Rome crowds, or, if you are really into the ancient stuff, consider spending your shore time visiting the ancient port of Ostia Antica.

Although Ostia Antica is also on the coast, you still have to take the train from Civitavecchia to Rome (partway) and then change to take another train to Ostia Antica.

Take the regionale  or regionale veloce  train from Civitavecchia to Rome, and get off at Ostiense station. This is the same as the local Piramide  Metro stop and is also where the urban trains run from Rome to Ostia Antica. You will need a separate Rome metro ticket to get to Ostia Antica (1.50€).

These trains run frequently and take about 30 minutes to get to the ruins. Get off at Ostia Antica ( Scavi ). The ruins are right there by the train stop.

Do the reverse to get back to Ostiense station to catch the train back to the port, making sure to give yourself plenty of time to arrive back at your ship.

Visiting Etruscan towns from Civitavecchia

This can be a wonderful and fascinating shore excursion, but you will need a car and/or driver to visit some of these places.

There are a lot of towns near Civitavecchia you can visit, such as Cerverteri and Tarquinia.

With a car and driver, you can often see both in one shore excursion. 

Click here to read about some amazing things to do on the Lazio coast near Rome.

Cruise Chat Boards

You will also find some excellent advice and suggestions for Civitavecchia to Rome excursions, and hotels in Civitavecchia in the cruise forums on Cruise Critic . 

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Port of Civitavecchia Guide

Civitavecchia Rome Cruise Port Guide

The city of Rome is located approximately 80km away to the northwest of the eternal city.

For first-time visitors, Rome is often the tour of choice.

In this guide, we’re going to look at what there is to see and do both in the port area and in Rome, respectively.

Cruise ships dock mainly at mainly docks number 10, 12 Bis Sud, 12 Bis Nord, 25 and at the new Amerigo Vespucci Terminal .

Ferries and other vessels dock at Terminal Traghetti: ADM (Autostrade Del Mare).

Read also : The Best Hotels near Civitavecchia Port

Port of Civitavecchia in Italy Civitavecchia Cruise Terminals Getting to Civitavecchia Cruise Port Port Parking Useful Information Best Time to Visit & Cruise Where to stay near the port Sights to See

Civitavecchia Cruise Terminals

There are several berths available for cruise ships and Civitavecchia town centre is within walking distance, however, it’s quite a substantial walk.

All cruise ship piers are located along the Cristoforo Colombo antemurale (over 3 km long). Except pier 25 which is located on the opposite side of the antemurale C. Colombo.

Civitavecchia has several cruise terminals and they are:

• Quay 12 – Bramante
• Terminal Amerigo Vespucci / 12
• Quay 13 – 13 bis
• Cruise Terminal 25

Getting to Civitavecchia Cruise Port

You easily can get to your terminal by hotel shuttle, taxi, private transfer or by free shuttle bus.

These free shuttle buses are often running back and forth between each terminal and the port gates at Largo della Pace service center throughout the day.

There is also a special direct service that connects the Civitavecchia train station with the cruise ship docks and vice versa. Depending on traffic, the ride takes about 15 minutes.

There is normally a bus every 20-25 minutes, but it depends on traffic and passenger pickup/drop-off.

Service is exclusive to cruise ship passengers and costs 6 euros . Ticket can be purchased on board. This bus service runs from 7:00am/7:30am to 6:30pm/07:00pm, only on cruise ship departure/arrival days.

From Leonardo da Vinci International Airport

Rome’s Fiumicino airport (Leonardo da Vinci) has its own train station, making things a little easier when making your journey to the port.

Board a train at the airport for the city of Rome, alighting at Trastevere Station, and simply board a train that is heading for Civitavecchia. This journey takes approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes, but it can hit the 2-hour mark.

Private transfers are also an option, but they will be more expensive.

Getting to Civitavecchia from Rome Ciampino Airport

Rome Ciampino airport is connected with the Ciampino station by shuttle bus ATRAL, also making it easy to get to your ultimate destination.

Board the ATRAL that connects the airport to the station. Once you arrive at the station, board the train for Roma Termini. Once you arrive at Roma Termini, board your final train that will take you to Civitavecchia port.

This last part of the journey takes around 45-minutes for a Freccia Bianca train and 1 hour 20 minutes on the Intercity.

As above, private transfers are also an option, but they will be more expensive.

Private Transportation

There are several companies offering private transportation between both International airports and the Civitavecchia cruise port.

The advantage of this service that you don’t have to wait in a long line of cabs or shared shuttles.

Your driver will wait for you at an appointed time and you will travel comfortably to your destination. Private shuttles can be booked to take you to/from a Civitavecchia (Rome) hotel to the terminal and airport.

Check fares for Private Transportation to Cruise Port

Port of Civitavecchia Parking

There are 3 parking lots in the Port of Civitavecchia: the Bramante parking lot, the Cruise parking lot (reserved for MSC customers) and the Nord parking lot. These parking lots are connected to the free shuttle service that allows you to arrive at the dock easily and without wasting time.

You can leave your car directly in the port area during your cruise. Cost for 1 week parking at the port is 75.60 euro.

Bramante is an automated parking lot open 24h/7 days per week, located in the historic harbor, near the Fort Michelangelo. The parking lot has 175 parking spaces for cars. If you use Google Maps or Waze simply type “ Parcheggio Bramante Civitavecchia “.

The MSC Cruise Parking lot is situated near terminal 25. It’s reserved for MSC passengers and has 275 parking spaces. GPS; type “ Parcheggio Cruise Civitavecchia “.

The Nord Parking is for ferry passengers. More info .

Useful Information About Civitavecchia For Cruise Passengers

Organised excursions for those calling into Civitavecchia for one day and hoping to go to Rome will be plenty, your cruise line will have several options available for you to pick.

Of course, given the duration of these days (often 10 hours or more) and the distance to and from the city, the safest option to avoid missing your ship is to book with your cruise line.

However, if you do wish to explore Rome on your own , you can take a train from Civitavecchia train station . We would recommend the InterCity service as it is slightly faster, but there are other options available that are cheaper.

If you do decide to go under your own steam, we highly recommend that you spend some time before your cruise planning out your day.

Some monuments are easily within walking distance of each other, where-as others may require a short cab ride or public bus journey in order to reach.

Having a schedule set out in advance will allow you to make the very best of your time in Rome, and maybe even allow you some souvenir shopping before returning to the port and your awaiting ship.

Mc Donald’s in Civitavecchia (just outside the port entrance) offers free Wi-Fi.

Best Time to Visit and Cruise from Civitavecchia?

Spring and summer months are the most popular times for in-transit ships and embarking passengers, but these are also the busiest times to visit the city of Rome.

Some cruise lines do operate sailings in the Mediterranean, in the autumn and late winter months and although air temperatures are much cooler, most sites are far less crowded.

Where to Stay Near the Port?

If you are joining your ship in Civitavecchia, then there are several accommodations a short distance from the port .

Some are p erfectly located within walking distance of the free shuttle service. Other hotels are slightly further away but the cruise terminals are easily accessible by an affordable shuttle. You can choose between ocean view rooms with balcony, budget friendly rooms or another option is to stay in a charming bed and breakfast.

However we suggest you spend a night or 2 in Rome , instead of spending that time in the port area, simply because there is so much more that you can see and do.

Rome is bursting with a variety of hotels to suit and budget and these are a few of the ones we would suggest. Remember, Rome is a large place, so although these hotels are all located within the city limits, they may not necessarily be within walking distance of the monuments that you would like to see – it always pays to do some research ahead of time on what will work best for you, overall.

Things to see and do in Civitavecchia

Forte Michelangelo – This is actually part of the port area and you’ll likely be dropped off right outside it by the shuttle bus. It was built in 1537 to protect the port area. It’s surrounded by a man-made stream-type body of water that lights up at night and looks stunning.

Civitavecchia National Archaeological Museum – The museum sits on three levels and the building itself dates back to 1700 Pope Clement XIII . Records on show are from the dawns of civilization, during the Ancient times, right through until the Middle Ages.

Taurine Baths – located roughly 5km from Civitavecchia, the Taurine Baths , also known as the Baths of Trajan, are well-worth visiting. You must also visit the nearby Ficoncella Thermal Baths.

Things to see and do in Rome

Colosseum – Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre , this is one of the most-recognised ancient sites in all of Rome. Construction began in AD 72 and was completed in AD 80. At the time, it was the largest amphitheatre ever built, being able to hold up to 80,000 spectators.

St Peter’s Basilica – The world’s largest Basilica of Christianity and another of Italy’s world-famous landmarks, located inside the Vatican City. St. Peter’s is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and the largest church in the world.

Pantheon – A former Roman temple and now a church, the Pantheon was rebuilt by emperor Hadrian in roughly 126 AD.

Trevi Fountain – The Trevi fountain stands at 26.3 metres tall and 49.15 wide and it was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi. It’s one of Rome’s most-visited sites and legend has it that if you throw a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain, you will one day return to the eternal city.

Roman Forum – Also known by its Latin name ‘Forum Romanum’, it is surrounded by the ruins of several hugely important government buildings from ancient times.

Vatican Museums – Public art and sculpture museums within the Vatican City and displaying works from the Catholic Church. The art museum is home to some of the most important Renaissance masterpieces in the world.

Sistine Chapel – The official residence of the Pope, originally known as the Cappella Magna. Located within the Vatican City.

Piazza Navona – Built on the site of the Stadium of Domitial and built in the 1st century AD. This is a public space within Rome.

Spanish Steps – Located between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, the steps are dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church, which sits at the top of the stairs. There are 135 steps in total.

Saint Peter’s Square – This is the plaza area which is located in front of St Peter’s Basilica. At the very centre of the square sits an Egyptian obelisk which was placed in 1586.

Alter of the Fatherland – A national monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuell 11, the first king of unified Italy. It is also known as the Victor Emmanuell II National Monument.

(Latest update December 26th 2023)

Please contact us if any information is incorrect or not up-to-date.

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How to Get from Rome to Civitavecchia

Written by: Kate Zusmann

You can quickly get from Rome to Civitavecchia since there is an excellent train service between the Eternal City and Rome’s Cruise Port. The core service functions twice per hour, taking around 70 to 80 minutes to travel the whole route. However, do not expect punctuality from Rome’s public transportation and regional trains. The most convenient way is to get by train from Roma Termini station, but there are also other direct trains from popular stations such as Roma Trastevere and Fiumicino Airport .

Here’s the list of options on how to get from Rome to Civitavecchia Cruise Port:

By Private Transfer

Taxi and private transfers from Rome to Civitavecchia Sea Port are among the most expensive options. For instance, a  private transfer from Rome City Center or Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Civitavecchia costs 125 euros for a one-way trip. However, it is the most comfortable way to reach the city and enjoy your journey with maximum comfort.

If you only have a few hours in Rome, great idea is to combine your trip to the cruise port with Rome Sightseeing Private Tour by Car – please contact Rome Fiumicino Transfer Company for that service directly.

Getting from Rome to Civitavecchia port by train is the most convenient and cheapest option. The Rome Fiumicino airport has its train station, while Rome Ciampino airport is connected with the Ciampino station by shuttle bus ATRAL . However, since there are no direct trains, you have to take the train from Fiumicino Airport station to Roma Trastevere or Roma Ostiense station and change the line in the direction of Civitavecchia. The journey will take around 2 hours with the price of 12.60 euros (8 euros + 4.60 euros).

From Rome Ciampino airport, first, take the shuttle bus ATRAL to the Ciampino station. Your journey will take only 5 minutes with a cost of 1.20 euros. Next, take the train from the Ciampino train to Roma Termini (1.50 euros, trains depart every 12 minutes). You can buy tickets on board. Then, from Roma Termini station, purchase a ticket to a regional train for 5 euro (1 hour 20 minutes) or an Intercity train ticket for 11 euro (55 minutes) or Freccia Bianca for 15 euros (45 minutes).

Description of the train lines in Rome:

• FL1: runs between the Fiumicino airport station and Roma Trastevere or Roma Ostiense
• FL4: train line between Ciampino Station and Termini (and other towns of the Castelli Romani )
• FL5: train connecting several stations in Rome as Roma Termini, Ostiense, Trastevere, and Roma San Pietro station with Civitavecchia train station

You can buy train tickets at Civitavecchia and Rome Stations at ticket desks or ticket machines. Credit cards are accepted, and you can choose among several languages while purchasing a ticket from a ticket machine. Most frequencies between the Rome Cruise Port and Rome city center are by local stopping train. Also, infrequent inter-city trains run non-stop between Civitavecchia and Termini Station. Here’s the list of prices:

If you buy a ticket for the local trains, do not forget to stamp it in any of the ticket machines on the station

Rome Stations for Travelling from Civitavecchia

The central station of Rome is Termini Station, which is the main public transport hub for Rome in the city center. The trains stop at S.Pietro (40 mins), Trastevere (50 mins), Ostiense (55 mins), and finally Termini (70 mins). From Roma Trastevere station you can also go directly to the Fiumicino airport. At the same time, from Ostiense, you can take the Rome Metro and go directly to the Colosseum or Spanish Steps .

If your cruise ship stops for only 1 day at the port of Civitavecchia, then it is worth getting to Rome by a special shuttle bus. The round trip costs only 15 euros. All buses are modern, comfortable, and have Wi-Fi.

From Civitavecchia Train Station to the Cruise Terminal

You can take a local Argo bus or walk towards the port from Civitavecchia train station. The Argo buses station is in front of the train station and runs every 20 minutes. The journey will take 10 minutes, and the ticket costs 2 euros. You can purchase a ticket at the newsstand or the bar inside the station.

You can also walk to the port by foot from the Civitavecchia station. The entrance of Varco Fortezza is located 600 m away

Access to the Cruise Terminal

Access to Rome Cruise Terminal is only allowed by:

• Port mobility shuttles that leave from the Largo della Pace or the parking
• Taxi/private transfer service authorized by the Civitavecchia Port Authority

Explore Rome in the most comfortable way!

from €150.00

Here’s the map of the Rome Civitavecchia Port:

Moreover, the shuttle service on the territory of the Port of Civitavecchia to the cruise terminal is free of admission. Be ready that there is a possibility of delays

• The address of the port is Prato del Turco, 00053, Civitavecchia

Suppose you can drive to Civitavecchia from Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo Da Vinci Airport). In that case, it is 60 km from the port, and a drive takes 50 minutes, while Rome Ciampino Airport is 85 km from the port, so that the journey will take about 1.5 hours.

You can rent a car in Rome with rentalcars.com

FAQ about Civitavecchia Port

How far is civitavecchia from rome, is there a train from civitavecchia to rome, is there a direct train from civitavecchia to rome airport, which airport is closest to civitavecchia port, is civitavecchia worth visiting, are there interesting sights near the port of civitavecchia, day trip to rome from civitavecchia.

If you have only one day in Rome, there are plenty of things to discover. The city with more than 2000 years in existence won’t leave anyone indifferent. While exploring its main sites, don’t forget to try famous Italian gelato , eat pasta and pizza in the Trastevere area , and visit churches located in almost every corner of Rome. You can repeat our itinerary from the vlog with the  top 30 things to see in Rome :

Of course, the most famous attractions are the Colosseum , Spanish Steps , Piazza Navona , the Pantheon , Roman Forums , the Vatican , and many other churches, squares, and monuments. Even though  Rome is full of exciting attractions and points of interest, most of them are located nearby each other. Undoubtedly, it is the city that you have to discover on foot. So pay attention to details, and enjoy sunny weather and excellent Italian food.

You can book our private tour in Rome at sunrise to see most of the monuments from the video in 7 hours. Better plan your trip in advance!

We’ll be waiting for you in Rome 🙂

Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)

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Civitavecchia cruise port to/from City of Rome by train

Using the train for travelling between rome & its cruise port.

There is a very good train service between Rome and Rome's Cruise Port, Civitavecchia. The core service is broadly a twice hourly service on commuter style trains taking around 70 to 80 minutes to travel the full route. Punctuality and time keeping are not strong points of this service.

The terminus in the centre of Rome is Termini Station, but there are interim stops attractive to those travelling to and from Fiumicino Airport or have a hotel around the Vatican area.

There are also much less frequent long intercity long distance trains that will do the journey in around 45 minutes non-stop. Tickets for these cost well over double that of the commuter trains.

In 2019 a new service was launched called the Civitavecchia Express , designed for cruise traveller transfers into Rome. This service is quicker and has guaranteed seating, but does not go to Termini Station. Its two station stops are the San Pietro and Ostiense stations. You can either use the bus, taxi or metro to get to Termini station or to explore the rest of Rome.

Rome stations for travelling from Civitavecchia

The terminus in Rome City Centre, Termini Station, is the main public transport hub for Rome in the city centre.

The trains travel at quite a speed from the outskirts of Rome to Civitavecchia but are frustratingly slow within Rome taking a circuitous route around and into the city centre. Of a typical 80 minute journey, 30 minutes will be spent within the Rome urban area.

For many people it can make sense to get off at other stations than the Rome terminus at Termini, especially if you are on a day trip or going to Fiumicino, Rome's main airport.

Travelling from Civitavecchia a typical train will stop at S. Pietro (40 min), Trastevere (50 min), Ostiense (55 min) and finally Termini (70 min). S. Pietro is around 15 minutes' walk to the Vatican and St Peter's Square.

Trastevere is the interchange for a frequent airport train to Fiumicino Airport.

Ostiense is an interchange with the Rome Metro which can take you direct to the Colosseum or Spanish Steps.

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Civitavecchia train tickets & luggage.

Both Civitavecchia and Rome Stations have manned ticket offices that take credit cards and there are also ticket machines. Ticket machines are easy to use, take all major credit cards and support several languages including English.

Beware, the queues at Termini Station especially can be very long for the manned ticket offices.

Most frequencies between Civitavecchia and Rome are by local stopping train. There are infrequent intercity trains that run non-stop between Civitavecchia and Termini Station, in the Civitavecchia to Rome direction punctuality especially is not good.

This is not Switzerland, do give yourself plenty of contingency - the trains are reliable but are subject to delays.

Important - if you buy a ticket for the local trains, it is flexible and you have to stamp it before you board the train using the machines around all the stations. You risk a heavy fine if you produce an unstamped ticket for a ticket inspector. Further details of this are on our main Rome public transport page .

You can also purchase tickets in advance on the Tren Italia website. (use the banner link below.)

TRAIN FARES BETWEEN CIVITAVECCHIA AND ROME

(Last checked January 2020)

* On-line inter-city train prices are extremely variable, the earlier you book the cheaper the fare

† Not all inter-city trains stop at S.Pietro

Note: Fares on The TrenItalia site for Civitavecchia local trains are only displayed up to seven days in advance. Inter city trains, 4 months.

Trenitalia Rome

• Cheapest advance purchase fares • Pay by credit card • Instant confirmations • Timetables

Shore excursion from Civitavecchia including round trip train tickets

A combi-ticket that combines:

Round trip train tickets from Civitavecchia to Sant Pietro Train Station (near the Vatican)

Rome hop-on, hop off sightseeing bus day ticket

Skip-the-line entrance to the Colosseum

20% discount on top museums/attractions (e.g. Vatican Museums, Borghese Gallery)

Free Colosseum app - includes a free audio guide for many other highlights in Rome like Pantheon

Train transfer, Hop on Hop off bus Rome and Colosseum entrance

• Entrance tickets to the Colosseum (skip the line) • Round trip train ticket from port to centre Rome • Hop-on Hop-off bus • 20% discount on top attractions

Trains between Rome City Centre, its airports + cruise ports

The local trains themselves are more often than not run with double deck carriages. The picture is of a typical interior, seats are not allocated.

There is a small space between the seats where you can put a medium size case and overhead luggage rail. It's not as bad as it might look, luggage will be a problem if you have two or more large cases per person, plus hand luggage.

Trains are not normally crowded at all except at the height of the commuter period into Rome, in the morning and out in the evening.

At Rome's Termini Station there is a left luggage office so it is possible to have a brief visit to see the sights of Rome before catching a late flight or train.

Civitavecchia Express - non stop train from Civitavecchia cruise port to central Rome

In 2019 a new service was launched called the Civitavecchia Express. This service is designed for cruise passengers, as it connects Civitavecchia with Roma San Pietro and Roma Ostiense stations. Civitavecchia station is about a mile from the cruise port but there are plenty of taxis and a local bus available to take you there.

The Civitavecchia Express service runs four daily journeys from 1 April  to 1 November 2020. Two in the morning, bound for Rome and two in the afternoon bound for Civitavecchia. The timetable was worked out to meet the needs of many cruise travellers who wish to visit Rome in a day. The train times are quicker and more reliable than the commuter trains, there is also guaranteed seating, allowing an easier, more comfortable and faster transfer into Rome.

Fast journey times mean you can get to Roma San Pietro in 35/40 minutes and Roma Ostiense in 55 minutes.

For day trips this train should work well, but if you are staying in a hotel overnight or longer then you need to also consider that the stations visited by the Civitavecchia Express are not in the centre of Rome, so will require a taxi, metro or bus to take you the rest of the way.

You can walk from Roma San Pietro station to the Vatican in about 15 minutes or take a taxi, but if you have plenty of luggage you may not find this so appealing. Again you can use the Roma Ostiense station and transfer to the Metro to then reach Rome Termini, but you'll have to carry luggage across platforms. If Rome Termini is your final destination and your staying longer than one day, you may consider using the slower commuter trains that go directly to the Termini station from Civitavecchia. You can though use the two stations visited by the Civitavecchia Express as a jumping point into the rest of Rome, either through walking, taxi, bus or metro.

The Civitavecchia Express does offer a good solution for travellers from cruise ships who want to visit Rome in a day and for those travellers who travel light and appreciate a more reliable service with guaranteed seats. You can find out train times and ticket details at Civitavecchia Portmobility .

Civitavecchia Station to/from cruise ship

There is no direct public access to cruise ships in the port. You have to use free shuttle buses between individual ships docked and a cruise ship reception area called Largo della Pace just outside one of the dock gates, from here there is a local bus to the railway station or you can walk or take a taxi.

By public bus

Local public buses leave from outside the main exit of the train station running roughly every 20 minutes, these take less than 10 minutes to Largo della Pace. The bus ticket can be bought at the news-stand or at the bar inside the station.

Local taxi cabs are also available immediately in front of the main exit to Civitavecchia Train Station as an alternative to the public bus to Largo della Pace.

It is possible to walk between the train station and Largo della Pace in about 15 minutes, though with luggage it may take longer.

The route is pretty straightforward with pretty smooth rights of way which you can roll your luggage along.

From the front entrance of the railway station turn right down the small access road to the wide coastal road and cross this road immediately to the promenade and turn right towards the centre of town.

The promenade footpath is very wide, parallel to the sea and very smooth without kerbs to negotiate. After about 5 minutes you come to the dock gates with a McDonald's on your right and the imposing Fort Michelangelo on your left.

Walk through the gates and immediately cross to the right hand side of the road. Now just follow the dock side, ignoring the spur that goes out to the left immediately after entering through the dock gates.

Now just follow the pedestrian path as it winds through the docks past fishing boats, and a terminal with toilets and shops. Most of the way the path is just a cordoned off strip of tarmac separate to the road and again the surface is very smooth. Eventually you come to a road junction by another set of dock gates and you just follow the pedestrian signs out of the docks labelled “Shuttle Bus To Cruise” to the Largo della Pace facility on the opposite side of the road to the port exit.

Day trip to Rome? Maybe get off train at St Peter's (S. Pietro)

If you are visiting Rome on a stopover on a cruise ship, the train is an excellent way of avoiding the high prices of the cruise line offerings. The Civitavecchia Express has been designed with this very market in mind.

For most doing such a day trip on the public train, it is a good idea to get off the train at S. Pietro (St Peter's). Not only is it marginally cheaper than going to the terminus at Termini Station, but it will save you 30 minutes, maybe more. St Peter's Station is only 10 minutes' walk from St Peter's Square and the Vatican Museums. All the Rome hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses park in front of St Peter's Square.

There are also local buses from in front of St Peter's Station that will take you into the very heart of Rome.

Walking directions S. Pietro Station to St Peter's Square.

By foot, on leaving the front of St Peter's Station there is a small square where the bus terminus is located. With the station building behind you, turn left at the back of the square down the Via Innocenzo, a one-way street with the traffic including the buses coming towards you.

Walk on the right hand side of the road and after about 100 yards/metres take the first right down the Via Nicolo. Walk to the end of Via Nicolo, (only about 75 yards) and turn left into the Via della Stazione di S.Pietro. You will see a petrol/gas station about 50 yards in front of you at a fork in the road. Our route forks right here in front of the petrol station down the Via Alcide de Gasperi keeping to the left hand side of this road.

After about 100 yards the Via Alcide de Gasperi joins the busy Via Delle Fornaci from the right. Keep on the left hand side of the road and you soon come to a wide underpass for pedestrians that takes you under a busy road. On the other side you see the Roman Columns of St Peter's Square immediately in front of you.

The Vatican - detailed practical information on visiting