Semih
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-06-04
Rome is the best example of why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the transfer question. The main airport is around thirty kilometres from the city, and the rules for taxis and ride services are different here from those in most European capitals.
The train is a strong option in Rome
The airport express runs non-stop to Termini main station in about half an hour, while the regional train is cheaper and stops at several stations. If your hotel is near Termini or on the right metro line, it’s the best choice. If it’s tucked away in the lanes of Trastevere, you’ll still have part of the journey left at the end.
Private transfer: fixed price and a driver who waits
A pre-booked private transfer means: the driver knows your flight number, waits if you’re delayed, the price is fixed before booking, and luggage is included. It’s the right option for late arrivals, for families needing child seats, and for anything farther out than the city centre. If you’re travelling light and want to stay flexible, you won’t need it.
Uber in Italy: no cheap entry-level option
In Italy, there’s no classic low-cost Uber. You can use the app to call a licensed taxi or book a premium car with driver, but the lower vehicle categories found in other countries aren’t available. In practice, that makes the service more of a comfortable alternative than a money-saving one. Good to know: Rome has an officially fixed taxi fare for journeys from the airport to the city centre within the historic walls.
When a private transfer makes sense
If you’re travelling with family, carrying lots of luggage or staying at a hotel in the old town, a pre-booked driver is the easiest option because they know the address and take the city-centre access restrictions into account. It’s also the calmer solution for onward journeys to the coast or to Umbria than dealing with trains and changes while managing all your suitcases.
Car hire: be careful because of the restricted zones
In Rome, hiring a car is a bad idea, not because of the traffic but because of the access restrictions in the city centre, which are monitored automatically. For Tuscany, Umbria or the Amalfi Coast, though, a car is almost essential. Pick it up at the end of your city stay.
How Reisedrop handles the question after booking
After your hotel booking we do not ask whether you want to buy a transfer, we ask how you are getting to your accommodation in Rom. You see two options side by side: a private transfer you lock in beforehand, and a direct link into the Uber app with your destination pre-filled if you would rather stay flexible. No flood of suppliers, no invented guide prices. Private transfers and rental cars are booked with external providers, and with Uber you are forwarded straight to Uber. Price, availability and booking sit with the respective provider. We are not a partner of Uber and deliberately show no Uber prices.
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