Flights to Rome: Fares and Flights from Athens

For Athens–Rome flights, a rough budget is €40–160 one-way and €80–280 return in economy outside peak periods. A direct flight takes around 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes. AEGEAN and ITA Airways fly direct to Fiumicino; check your dates for other airlines and seasonal services. January and February after the festive season, along with November, usually offer better value, provided you avoid public holidays.

The amounts below are indicative ranges for planning your trip, not live offers or guaranteed fares. They are for one adult and do not assume that checked baggage is included. Availability, baggage and departure times can make a significant difference to the final cost.

At a glance

• Route: Athens, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), to Rome, mainly Fiumicino (FCO).
• Guide price: €40–160 one-way or €80–280 return outside peak periods. Budget more for holiday travel and last-minute bookings.
• Flight time: around 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes non-stop.
• Direct airlines: AEGEAN and ITA Airways. Additional options, frequencies and seasonal routes need to be confirmed.
• Cheaper periods: often January, February and November, excluding public holidays and periods of high demand.
• What to compare: the final price including baggage and airport transfers, not just the headline fare.

Which airlines fly from Athens to Rome?

Direct flights

AEGEAN and ITA Airways connect Athens directly with Leonardo da Vinci Airport, known as Fiumicino. Check the available flights for your specific day, as frequencies and schedules vary by season. Do not assume that every fare includes checked baggage or free seat selection.

If you are considering SKY express, Ryanair or Wizz Air, first confirm whether they offer a direct Athens–Rome service on your dates and which airport they use. Seasonal routes change, and an airline's presence in Rome does not automatically mean it flies there from Athens. Nor do all low-cost airlines operate exclusively from Ciampino.

Connecting flights

Depending on the schedule, you may find connections via Munich or Frankfurt with Lufthansa, Zurich with SWISS, Vienna with Austrian, or Belgrade with Air Serbia. For such a short route, a connection usually only makes sense if the timings suit you better or it offers a substantial saving overall.

Choose a single through-ticket when changing planes. With separate bookings, you are not automatically covered if a delay to your first flight causes you to miss the second. You may also need to collect your baggage and go through security again.

How much do flights cost by season?

Rome attracts visitors year-round. The following ranges are a rough guide for economy fares when searching ahead of time, not statistical averages or price ceilings:

• Winter outside the festive season: around €40–110 one-way and €80–190 return.
• Spring outside Easter and public holidays: around €60–160 one-way and €120–280 return.
• Summer: around €70–200 one-way and €140–350 return.
• September and October: around €60–180 one-way and €120–320 return.
• Christmas, New Year, Easter and popular long weekends: around €100–280 one-way and €200–500 return, with fares potentially rising well above these ranges.

November fares are often closer to winter levels. You may find offers below these ranges, but they are not a reliable basis for your budget. Equally, major events, school holidays and departures just a few days away can push prices up at any time of year.

Compare accommodation costs before paying, too. A cheap flight may coincide with an expensive weekend for hotels. Compare the cost of the whole trip, particularly if two of you will be sharing a room.

When to book for a cheaper fare

For an off-peak trip, start tracking prices around 1–3 months ahead. For Easter, the festive season and popular long weekends, allowing 3–6 months gives you more time to compare. These are practical search windows, not a guarantee that the lowest fare will appear then.

• Check departures and returns one or two days either side of your preferred dates.
• Compare weekday flights with Fridays and Sundays, without assuming any particular day is always cheaper.
• Consider using different airlines for the outward and return flights, paying attention to their separate terms.
• Set up price alerts and keep track of the final price including your baggage.

There is no reliable “magic hour” for buying flights. Nor does browsing in incognito mode guarantee a lower fare. If you find suitable flight times and a final price within your budget, waiting for a possible big drop may not pay off. You will find more practical ideas in our tips for cheap flights.

How long is the flight, and which airports serve Rome?

The scheduled duration of a direct Athens–Rome flight is usually 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes. Actual journey time is affected by winds, air traffic and ground operations. Italy is one hour behind Greece, so the local departure and arrival times alone do not tell you the flight duration.

Fiumicino (FCO), southwest of the city, is Rome's largest airport and has a rail connection. Ciampino (CIA), to the southeast, is smaller and has no railway station inside the terminal. If you search for “all Rome airports”, check the airport code carefully for each leg.

For a short European flight, arriving at the airport around two hours before departure is a useful starting point, but follow your airline's guidance. Read more about the Athens–Rome flight time and factor in the journey to your accommodation.

Getting from the airport to central Rome

Transfers from Fiumicino

The Leonardo Express runs directly from the airport to Termini station in around 32 minutes. For budgeting purposes, allow about €14–18 per adult each way. The FL1 regional train serves Trastevere and Ostiense, among other stations, but not Termini. Indicative fares are €8–12, with journey times of around 25–50 minutes depending on the station.

Buses to Termini are usually cheaper, at around €6–10, but often take 45–75 minutes or longer in traffic. For an official taxi to an address covered by the fixed fare, budget around €50–60 per vehicle and confirm the current tariff and the area it covers before getting in.

The best option depends on where you are staying, not just how quickly you can reach Termini. Check the transfer options from Fiumicino to the city centre before booking accommodation.

Transfers from Ciampino

Direct buses to Termini take around 40–60 minutes, depending on traffic, with indicative fares of €6–9. You can also combine a local bus with the metro or train, usually for around €3–5 in total, though this involves more changes and waiting.

For an official taxi to the designated central zone, allow around €35–45 per vehicle, confirming the current fixed fare first. The transfer prices here are budgeting ranges, not an official tariff. Pay particular attention to the last evening services in our guide to getting from Ciampino to central Rome.

What to see in Rome and when to visit

For a first visit, three full days give you time for the highlights without turning every walk into a dash between timed bookings. If your budget allows, four days leave more room for museums and neighbourhoods. Divide the city into areas: ancient Rome, the historic centre and the Vatican. This cuts down on unnecessary journeys and means you will not spend the whole day looking at a map.

Start with the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. This is not a quick photo stop: the archaeological site calls for several hours, comfortable shoes and water. Check exactly which areas your ticket includes, as access options vary. Plan your Colosseum booking once your travel dates are confirmed, and check the official entry conditions.

Set aside another half-day for the historic centre, following a route from the Pantheon to Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna. The distances are walkable, but the stops can easily fill an entire morning. Visit the Trevi Fountain early in the morning for usually smaller crowds, though do not expect to have it to yourself. Check the current entry arrangements and opening hours for the Pantheon.

At the Vatican, treat the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel separately from St Peter's Basilica. These are different visits, with separate access arrangements and security checks. A museum booking does not mean you will avoid every queue. Allow plenty of time and dress appropriately for religious sites, with shoulders and knees covered. Do not squeeze the visit in just before leaving for the airport.

For a more relaxed afternoon, wander through Trastevere and cross the Tiber using the bridges near Tiber Island. The area gets busy in the evening, so look along the smaller side streets for somewhere to eat. Testaccio is another good choice for discovering Roman cuisine. Try carbonara, amatriciana or cacio e pepe, and check the menu before sitting down rather than choosing solely for the view.

Spring and autumn usually bring more pleasant walking weather, but they are not necessarily the cheapest seasons. May, September and October often see strong tourist demand. In July and August, the heat makes visits to open-air archaeological sites tiring. Plan outdoor sightseeing for early in the day and save midday for a rest or an indoor attraction.

Winter outside the festive season is better suited to a museum-focused trip on a smaller budget. You will need some flexibility, though, because of rain and shorter days. Keep an indoor visit as a backup and avoid too many fixed bookings on the same day. To organise your stops by area, consult our Rome travel guide and three-day Rome itinerary.

Where to stay

For a first visit, the historic centre reduces travel time, but usually costs more. Monti is handy for the Colosseum and exploring on foot, while Prati is convenient for the Vatican and metro Line A. Around Termini, transport convenience is the main draw, but it is worth checking the exact street and recent reviews.

In Trastevere, pay attention to night-time noise and the distance to public transport. Also factor in the city tourist tax, which may be payable separately. Our guide to where to stay in Rome by neighbourhood helps you choose accommodation that works with your flight times.

Baggage and low-cost airlines

A basic fare does not mean the same thing on every airline. It may include only a small personal item that fits under the seat, while an overhead cabin bag may require a more expensive package. Check this with traditional airlines too, not just low-cost carriers.

• Confirm the dimensions, weight and number of bags allowed with your specific fare.
• Add the baggage you need from the outset so you can compare like for like.
• Check online check-in deadlines and any airport service charges.
• Read the change and cancellation terms before buying a non-refundable ticket.

For a short stay, a small bag can reduce both costs and waiting time on arrival. If you are travelling with someone else, compare the cost of one shared checked bag with two additional cabin bags, keeping within the permitted allowances.

Practical tips before you book

Greek citizens can travel to Italy with a valid identity card accepted for travel or a passport. Membership of the Schengen area does not remove the need for a travel document. If you have an older-style identity card, check the current requirements before departure. The name on your booking must match your document.

If you arrive at night, confirm your accommodation's check-in arrangements and the last available public transport service. For an early-morning return flight, factor in the transfer before deciding that a fare is cheaper. If you are staying entirely within Rome, a car usually adds parking difficulties and access restrictions. It is mainly worth considering if you plan trips outside the city.

Keep your documents and phone secure on crowded public transport. Have your European Health Insurance Card available, bearing in mind that it does not replace travel insurance. Finally, leave some breathing room in your itinerary: a delayed arrival should not mean losing an expensive attraction ticket.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Athens–Rome flight cost?

As a guide, budget €40–160 one-way and €80–280 return outside peak periods. During holidays or close to departure, the cost can be significantly higher. Baggage affects the final price.

How long is the Athens–Rome flight?

A direct flight usually takes around 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes. Rome is one hour behind Athens, which you should bear in mind when checking local times.

Which airline has the cheapest flights to Rome?

No airline is consistently the cheapest. Compare the final price for the same dates, with the same baggage allowance and similar flight times. The lowest headline fare is not always the cheapest option overall.

What is the cheapest month to visit Rome?

You will often find cheaper options in January after the festive season, February and November. No single month is always cheapest, as public holidays and events affect demand.

Which Rome airport should I fly into?

Fiumicino offers a direct train to Termini and more public transport options. Ciampino can be convenient if the flight and transfer suit your plans. Compare the total journey time and cost to your accommodation.

Are there direct flights from Athens to Rome?

Yes, AEGEAN and ITA Airways fly direct to Fiumicino. Check frequencies and any additional airlines for your dates, as schedules and seasonal connections change.