Rome (Civitavechia) Embarkation
Are you starting your cruise from Rome, Italy? If so, you may have heard it’s a little complicated. But what’s it really like? What can you expect? Here’s a full port report to help you prepare and plan.
Arriving in Rome and Getting to Civitavecchia
Rome is world-famous, but when your cruise departs from here, you’ll actually board in Civitavecchia—a city about 73 km northwest of central Rome. Since ancient times, Civitavecchia has been “Rome’s port,” and today it’s the main entry point for Mediterranean cruises. It’s a huge area with over 20 docks, though most cruise ships use just five main ones: quays 11, 12, 12B, 13A, and 13B, with the occasional use of pier 25. The port is so spread out, you might not see your ship immediately. It’s a mix of massive industrial areas and cruise terminals, and finding your way to the right pier is simplified by a central shuttle bus terminal, Largo della Pace.
Civitavecchia itself is a compact port city with a few points of interest, but most people pass through on their way to or from Rome.
Our Journey: Flying into Rome and Staying Overnight
For our trip, we flew from the U.S. to Rome and planned to stay overnight in Civitavecchia (CHEE-VEE-TA-VEK-YA) before boarding the cruise. We chose a hotel just a block from Largo della Pace for easy access to the port the next day.
We flew into Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino), about 50 minutes by car or train southwest of Rome’s central train station. The airport was more compact than we expected and a bit hectic, though signage was clear with that Italian design flair. The layout looked almost like Hot Wheels tracks! At the baggage claim area, travel assistance kiosks offer options to arrange a taxi or shuttle, which was super helpful.
From the airport, you can either head to Rome or directly to Civitavecchia, as both take roughly 45–50 minutes. Although Rome is technically closer, its traffic often makes the travel time about the same as to Civitavecchia.
Getting to Civitavecchia: Train or Car?
Here’s how to get to Civitavecchia from the airport:
By Train
If you’re going to Rome first, take the train to Rome Termini station. The fare is €10–15 per person, and the ride takes about 35 minutes on a direct train. From Termini, you’ll catch a train to Civitavecchia, which departs every half hour and costs around €11, taking about 70–80 minutes. Once you arrive, Largo della Pace is about a 20-minute walk away, or you can take the ARGO bus for €2, which takes about 15 minutes. In total, allow 2 ½–3 hours from the airport to the port, including transfers and time for possible delays.
By Car
We chose to go directly to Civitavecchia by car, which was more expensive (around €130–150 one way) but felt worth it after a long flight. For our group of three, this option made sense as it was door-to-door, taking about 40–50 minutes with traffic. We pre-arranged our ride through the hotel, though you can also book independently, arrange through the cruise line, or get a ride at the airport. Be ready for a bustling scene as drivers and passengers try to find each other. Here, you’ll also find ATMs and SIM card options along the outside concourse.
And remember: things here run on "Italian time." Expect a looser, more relaxed approach to schedules, so bring along some patience.
Exploring Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia is easy to walk around, with most essentials close to the water. For instance, you’ll find pharmacies and car rental offices (major chains and regional ones) near the train station and Largo della Pace.
We stayed at Hotel Traghetto, an older, family-run 3-star hotel chosen for its convenience. The rooms were reasonable, with narrow showers and strong AC, and the chunky room keys ensured we wouldn’t leave them behind (they could double as a club, according to the front desk clerk!). After settling in, we took a short stroll, enjoyed a seaside dinner, and relaxed. Mastro Titta, a pizza place next to our hotel, served up delicious square, scissor-cut pizza, and another nearby restaurant had great food and a view of the old harbor. At night, the town had a magical feel that made us wish for a longer stay.
The next morning, we had breakfast downstairs with breads, meats, yogurt, and freshly made coffee, a perfect start before boarding.
Boarding the Ship
From our hotel, it was a short walk to the port, although the rough sidewalks were a bit challenging for our bags. At the port entrance, we showed our ship card or medallion and were directed to the bus designated for our ship. Despite the area being small, it handles a large number of passengers, so they move everyone along as efficiently as possible.
Once we arrived at our dock, the scene got a little confusing. There were people leaving the ship, tour buses arriving, and two different lines: one for a free red bus going into town (not to the train station) and another for a green bus with a small fee to the train station. Eventually, we found our place in line for processing and got through the standard security and check-in procedures. Bathrooms and seating were available, and the staff was friendly and professional.
Final Thoughts
Pharmacies:
Farmacia Rossi: Largo Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 3-4, 00053
Farmacia Palombo: Corso Centocelle, 24/26/28, 00053
Farmacia Spurio Dr Giuseppe: Corso Centocelle, 54, 00053
Car Rental:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car (train station): 3QQX+84 Civitavecchia
Hertz: Viale della Repubblica, 10A, 00053
Budget/Avis (Near Largo della Pace): Via XVI Settembre, 46
