Do I need a visa to visit Rome?

Not with a US passport! Starting in January of 2021, you'll need an ETIAS (a visa waiver), but you can easily apply for one online. Here's all the details on the ETIAS visa waivers for Europe.

What's the best way to travel around Rome?

Rome is best explored on foot! You could wander around the city every weekend for years and still not discover all the hidden gems tucked inside every corner. It's a very walkable city with many of the main things to see and do within a decent walking distance from each other. The local subway is also a great way to get around a little faster.

Flights to Rome

Best student & youth fares right now to Rome

Dreaming of pizza, pasta and gelato? Escape to Rome for a trip filled with all the best of Italian life. You know what they say: all roads lead to Rome...and so do all of these cheap flights.

Student flights from the USA to Rome

What could be better than a trip to the Eternal City, a trip that will no doubt be full of amazing food, iconic sights, centuries of art, history and culture and magical city streets to explore? Head to Rome and see the heart of Italy and explore places like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican City and more. Wander through the streets of Trastevere or fill up on pizza and gelato across the city.

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What are the main Rome airport hubs?

Rome has two main airports, Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). While Fiumicino has more international flights, Ciampino is a great option for intra-Europe weekend trips. Both are reasonably close to the city (about 30 minutes by train).

Fiumicino / FCO: This is Rome's main international airport, sometimes known as the Leonardo Da Vinci airport. Although it's a bit further from the city center, it's bigger and offers more international flights. If you're flying from the US, you'll likely find more options into FCO. From the airport, you can easily hop on the Leonardo Express train and travel directly into the city in about 30 minutes, or take a taxi. You can buy a ticket for the train at any Trenitalia kiosk and tickets are about €14.

Ciampino / CIA: ThiRome's Ciampino airport is smaller, but a bit more central to the city. It's a great option if you're flying to or from elsewhere within Europe. From the airport, take a local train or bus to the city center (the Termini station is the most central train station in Rome) for just a few dollars. You can also take a taxi—the flat rate is €30.

How to fly from the USA to Rome

Getting to Rome from the US is pretty easy—most major cities have nonstop flights to Rome, even from the West Coast! Of course, even if you're not coming from a large hub, there's still plenty of options for you, you'll just likely have a connecting flight on the way.

Some of the most popular airlines for flights from the US to Rome include United, American, British Airways and Iberia. Of course, there's plenty more options as well if you have another airline you prefer!

Cheap flights to Rome
from New York / JFK

Average flight duration

8.5 hrs direct

Number of daily flights

about 21 daily (nonstop).

Cheap flights to Rome
from Boston / BOS

Average flight duration

8 hrs direct

Number of weekly flights

about 38 weekly (nonstop).

Cheap flights to Rome
from Chicago / ORD

Average flight duration

9hrs 20mins direct

Number of weekly flights

about 31 weekly (nonstop).

Cheap flights to Rome
from Los Angeles / LAX

Average flight duration

12 hrs direct

Number of weekly flights

about 32 weekly (nonstop).

When is the best time to fly to Rome?

Rome is a pretty magical city, and it's nice to visit any time of year! While the winters can be cold, they're not unbearable and it's not typically snowy, so if you want to save some money and avoid crowds, travel during the winter. Otherwise, spring and fall are both amazing times to see the Eternal City. Summer months bring hotter, stickier days (which are only cause for eating more gelato) and lots more crowds.

When is the cheapest time to book a flight from the USA to Rome?

Prices based on bookings made 60-91 days prior to departure.

Why do American students love visiting Rome?

Rome is one of the most popular places to visit or study abroad, and for good reason! The city itself is full of art, history and culture—so there's plenty to explore and learn from both inside and outside of the classroom. Come for the gelato and the pizza and stay for the magical city life.

Rome universities and campuses

Rome is home to a number of universities, including several American universities. Whether you want to study abroad for a semester, a year or even do your entire degree in Italy, there's options for you! If you're hoping to study abroad with your university in the States, check your home university's study abroad office to see what programs and schools they recommend. Many schools in the US already have partnerships with universities in Rome that'll make the process much smoother for you!

Rome lifestyle and culture

Roman lifestyle and culture encapsulates much of what is awesome about the Italian way of life: delicious food (and coffee!), welcoming people and centuries of art and history. You'll quickly find yourself easing into a routine of grabbing an espresso from the local cafe in the mornings, wandering through narrow cobblestone streets, getting lost in markets and shops, ordering fresh pasta from tiny mom-and-pop restaurants, exploring ancient history and enjoying music from street performers at night.

Exploring Rome on a student budget

Rome is pretty easily explored on a student budget—while some of the major sights might have a bit of a price tag attached (looking at you, Colosseum), many others are completely free to visit or have student discounts. Some can't-miss free spots include the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps and the Villa Borghese gardens. Save money by staying at a hostel or airbnb slightly outside of the city—the extensive train system will allow you to get around with no problem. Keep in mind, too, that food surrounding major tourist spots will be more expensive than food in smaller surrounding neighborhoods and towns.

Frequently asked questions about flying from the USA to Rome

What's a trip to Rome without a culinary tour? Nothing, that's what. Here's our trio of favorite foods in Rome:

Gelato: You can't go wrong with gelato anywhere in Rome, but Giolitti's is a longtime favorite among locals and travelers alike. Order your gelato con panna if you want a big dollop of whipped cream on top (you do).

Pizza: The best places to get pizza in Rome are the little restaurants that have the massive brick pizza ovens in the back. Pizza al taglio, or pizza by the slice, is a super popular “fast-food” version you'll see everywhere consisting of smaller, square pieces of pizzas. It's perfect for a midday snack while touring the city!

Pasta: Any pasta in Italy is good pasta, but for a Roman classic, go for the cacio e pepe or your classic carbonara.

Rome is definitely a safe city to visit! Although, like all big cities, you should be mindful of pickpockets and other common tourist scams (avoid people trying to give you flowers or bracelets on the streets and restaurants that say they don't have any menus, for example). Otherwise, Rome is generally safe, even at night or for solo travelers. Be especially mindful on the buses and subways and near big tourist spots and you'll be fine.

Flights to Rome

Best student & youth fares right now to Rome

Student flights from the USA to Rome

What are the main Rome airport hubs?

How to fly from the USA to Rome