Search Flights from Islamabad to Rome

It is possible to reach Islamabad Airport with buses and metrobuses that you can take from the city. The routes of these buses and metrobuses usually start from Rawalpindi, also called Islamabad's twin city. Within city transportation has improved, but there are not many choices in terms of transportation means. Therefore, public transportation in the city is crowded, especially during heavy traffic hours.

You can reach Islamabad Airport within 15-20 minutes by taxi or by your own car and within 30-35 minutes by bus.

Bus

Islamabad city buses are easily distinguishable from others because of their light color. The local buses are crowded and slow, but they provide transportation at very low fares. The seats next to the bus drivers are reserved for women and children, so you will have to be careful about the place you will sit on the bus. All the bus stations in the city are air-conditioned, large, and modern and there are ticket vending machines and sales points in all of them.

The city buses have a much larger and wider network than metrobuses. Bus 110, one of the most popular bus lines, goes from Mandi Morh to Bahara Kahu via Khayaban.

Bus number 111 goes to F-8 Markaz from Rawat via Al Shifa H8. The area where Islamabad city center is located is called "Blue Area". The 1-B-A bus from this area serves Mandi Morh to the Secretariat.

The bus number 21 is called the airport bus, because it is one of the rare buses that pass through the airport. The stops of this bus are RWP Kachehri, BBIAP Airport (Islamabad Airport), Faizabad, Zero Point, Aabpara, Sarina, SPP and Secretariat.

Metrobus

Metrobus service is provided between twin cities: Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Metrobuses operate from 6.15 am until 10 pm every day of the week. Ticket vending machines are available at all Metrobus stations. Be sure to validate your ticket at the entrance after you have purchased your ticket from the Metrobus station.

Another name given to this service in Islamabad is Islamabad Metro-Pindi Metro. Metrobus service, which has a route of 22,5 km, meets the need of city transportation by serving between the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Metrobuses started to operate in 2015, and has 24 different stops in total.

You can buy your tickets from vending machines, or you can use the e-ticket system. 10 of the stops of Islamabad-Rawalpindi metrobus are in Rawalpindi and 14 of them are in Islamabad.

Taxi

Taxis are the most convenient and economical way of transportation for the cases of emergency. Try to bargain with the taxi driver before or after your ride. The only disadvantage of using taxi in Islamabad is that almost all of the taxi drivers do not speak English. Because they do not speak English, mark the place you will go on the city transportation map that you can obtain from the tourist information office before your ride and try to explain it on the map to the taxi driver

Yellow cabs are the most used taxi types in the city. Most of the taxis are not air conditioned but their fees are very satisfactory. Some of the taxi drivers in the city use their personal vehicles as a taxi; they are not affiliated with a specific company. You can also rent these taxis on a daily basis at very reasonable prices.

The number of taxis attached to the major companies operating in the city center is more than that of individual taxis. Some of the taxi companies you can choose to get to Islamabad Airport or city center are Metro Radio Cab (+92515872236) and Islamabad Radio Cab (+9251111888100).

Car Rental

There are quite a number of car rental companies in the city of Islamabad, because many domestic and foreign tourists want to rent their own car and visit nearby cities. It is much more economical to rent your car from the airport by pre-booking, but you are also likely to rent your car at reasonable prices from the city center as there are more local car rental companies than international companies in the city.

If you wish to deliver the vehicle you are renting at the airport at your return, you must make sure that a branch of the company you rented car is also at Islamabad Airport. It takes about 15-20 minutes to get to Islamabad Airport by car from the city, except for heavy traffic hours.

Airport Information

Another popular name for Islamabad International Airport is Benazir Bhutto International Airport. Islamabad Airport, the third largest and most modern airport in Pakistan, is located in Chaklala Rawalpindi outside Islamabad. Some of the facilities and opportunities within Islamabad Airport are VIP lounges, duty free shops, restaurants, free internet access, souvenir shops, ATM machines (Pakistan National Bank, Habib Bank, MCB Bank, Barclays, Citibank) and banks.

You can get to the city center from Fiumicino Airport, also known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport, using a variety of transportation methods like bus, airport shuttles, train, taxi, or car. The airport is located 35 km from central Rome.

Bus

There are many bus lines that depart from the airport and go to different locations in Rome. While the bus ride varies depending on the traffic and according to the destination, it takes approximately 1 hour. It is not the fastest option to get to the city center however it provides direct transportation to central locations in the city and it is the most affordable means of transportation. The Cotral buses, which depart in front of Terminal 2, go to “Cinquecento Square”, “Roma Tiburtina Station”, “Cornelia Station” and “Eur Maglliana Station”, respectively. The last 2 stops are also stops on the metro line. So it is easy to transfer to the metro from those stops. To get to the Cotral Bus follow the “Regional Bus Station” signs at the airport. You can buy a bus ticket from the newsstand or small markets. You can also pay once you get on the bus, but it can cost more.

Airport Shuttles

There are many bus (airport shuttle) lines to get from the airport to Rome’s most famous station, Termini Train Station, which is located in the city center. After arriving at Termini Train Station by using these buses, you can take a train to different cities in Italy or transfer to the inner city metro. You can also access the inner-city buses from this main station.

These “Terravision” buses depart every 30 minutes from the bus stop in front of Terminal 3. These buses only stop once, in Marsala, before going directly to the Termini Station; the bus ride takes about 55 minutes. You can book a ticket online for this bus service, which operates every day of the week between 5:35 am and 11 pm. You can buy your bus ticket online in advance or when you get there, on the bus. Those who purchased their tickets in advance online are given priority when boarding the bus. Price-wise these buses are relatively cheap and there are no baggage restrictions. However, because it is one of the most preferred services it is sometimes difficult to get a seat. When it is busy you run the risk on not getting a seat and having to wait for the next bus. Therefore we strongly suggest booking your ticket in advance.

Another service that goes from the airport to the Termini Station is the “SIT Bus Shuttle”. These buses depart every 30 minutes every day of the week. These buses go directly to the Termini Station, without any extra stops. The bus ride from the airport to the station is approximately 1 hour.

This bus company has another line, the Vatican, which departs in front of the arrivals hall at Terminal 3. You can buy your ticket on the bus or in advance online.

These buses that provide transportation between the airport and Termini Station and the Vatican operate between 8:30 am and 12:30 am. These buses aren’t as busy as the Terravision buses. Another bus company that provides transportation to Termini Station, which departs in front of Terminal 3, is “T.A.M. Srl.”. This bus operates every day of the week between 5:20 am and 1 am. This bus departs approximately every 40 minutes and the journey takes 45 minutes on average. However, you cannot buy tickets online for this bus. You can buy your ticket once you’re on the bus.

You can also use the Atral Lazio bus company services to get from the airport to the Termini Station. These buses depart from the same area and provide likewise services. There is another line that provides transportation from the airport to the Ostiense Station.  

Train

The fastest way to get from the airport to the city center is by using the Leonardo Express trains. These trains depart about every 30 minutes and go directly to the Termini Station, without stopping at any stops. From there you can get to almost any part of the city by transferring to the metro, getting on a different train line, or getting on a bus. The train fare is more expensive than the bus. Children under the age of 4 or children between the ages of 4 and 12 traveling with an adult ride for free. You can purchase a train ticket at the airport from self-service kiosks, newspaper stands or small markets or in advance online. While it is not customary to show your ticket as your board the train, officials can do random checks and if you don’t have your ticket you receive a fine. So we recommend holding on to your ticket for the duration of the train ride. The Leonardo Express trains operate every day of the week between 6:23 am and 11:23 pm. Trains depart every 30 minutes but during peak hours trains depart every 15 minutes. The train station is located inside the airport. The station is quite close to both the arrivals and departures terminals and easy to find. Another Trenitalia line that departs from the airport is the “FL1 Regional” Train. This train departs from the airport and goes to Orte Station, stopping in some of Rome’s other major train stations, like Trastevere, Ostiense, Tuscolana and Tiburtina. These trains run every 15 minutes on weekdays, and every 30 minutes on weekends. However, they are a much slower option compared to the Leonardo Express trains. In addition, the high-speed Frecciargento trains take off from the airport twice a day. Using these trains you can get to other cities in Italy like Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice, and Padua without having to transfer anywhere or get on any other vehicle.  

Taxi

You can find a taxi at every terminal exit at the airport. Official taxis in Rome are white with a visible taxi sign on them. There are other unlicensed cabs that operate in the city so we recommend paying attention to this detail. Airport taxis go to the city center or major train or metro stations for a fixed fare. This fixed fare is much more affordable than what the taximeter would calculate. If you want to turn on the meter you might face some resistance. This only applies to rides to the historic city limits and City of Rome taxis. If your hotel or destination is somewhere else then the taxi driver can use the taximeter. Taxis can take a maximum of 4 people. There is no extra fee for luggage; the fixed fare includes everything.

Rental Car

To rent a car at the airport you can visit one of the many rental car agencies located in the arrivals hall of the airport. Rental car companies that have offices in the airport include Auto Europa, Avis-Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Locauto Rent, Maggiore, Sixt and RENT4U. After you arrive at the airport’s arrivals hall you can follow the signs that direct you towards the rental car agencies. After completing the car rental process you will need to pick up your vehicle from level B or C in the parking lot.

If you’re planning on staying in Rome we think its unnecessary to rent a car because most places are accessible on foot and the city has an advanced public transportation system. Not to mention the fact that local traffic can be a little complicated. There are also high-speed trains that are available, which are faster ways to get to other places in Rome and other cities in Italy. But of course if you’re planning a road trip in and around Rome then renting a car is a convenient and flexible option.