Search for flights from London to Rome
About your London to Rome flight
Your direct flights from a London airport to Rome will only take around two and a half hours of flight time, so you'll avoid jet lag. Arrive at your departure airport at least three hours before take-off to avoid missing your flight. Factor in traffic conditions and travel time, we all know London traffic can get busy! The time difference between London and Rome is just one hour. Rome is one hour ahead, so set your watches one hour forward when you land, and you'll be ready to explore Italy's most famous gem! Mobile phones should adjust automatically once you reach the terminal.
Here is a tip for you to make it easier to plan your holiday: next time book a hotel
or flight + hotel in Rome
or book a hotel
or flight + hotel in London
if you have an early flight, a stepover or multi-city flight. If you book your flight + hotel together you can save up to 40% when compared to booking separately and all that's left for you to do is relax and enjoy your trip!
Which airlines fly from London to Rome?
Several airlines fly from London to Rome. Here is a list of some of the airlines providing flights from London airports:
- British Airways: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW)
- easyJet: Gatwick (LGW), London Luton (LTN)
- Iberia: Gatwick (LGW)
- ITA Airways: Heathrow (LHR), London City (LCY), London Luton (LTN)
- Jet2.com: Stansted (STN)
- Lufthansa: Heathrow (LHR), London City (LCY), Gatwick (LGW)
- Ryanair: Stansted (STN)
- Swiss International Air Lines: Heathrow (LHR), London City (LCY)
- Vueling: Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN)
- Wizz Air Malta: Gatwick (LGW), London Luton (LTN)
Note that these airlines will tend to depart London from just one or two of its six airports. Double-check you’re heading to the right one before you leave on your journey, and you'll avoid any dreaded last-minute worry!
Airports in London
London is home to six airports which, when combined, make up the busiest travel network in the world. Serving 14 domestic destinations and 396 international destinations, London remains king of the European travel hubs. Five of the six London airports provide flights to Rome: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City.
Heathrow (LHR): As the UK’s busiest airport, you can rest assured there are plenty of frequent connections between Heathrow and Central London, including via the London Underground on the Piccadilly line around every 10 minutes.
Gatwick (LGW): Gatwick is the UK’s second-busiest airport, and can be reached via the Gatwick Express rail service in 30 minutes, running every 30 minutes from London Victoria station.
Stansted (STN): Stansted is located near the M11, northeast of London, and provides many cheap flights within Europe. The best way to get there is via the Stansted Express rail service, which runs every 15 to 30 minutes.
Luton (LTN): Like Stansted Airport, Luton also hosts many budget airlines. There are several convenient public transport routes to the airport from Central London running each day, including National Express, Thameslink and East Midlands Railway.
London City (LCY): London City Airport is the closest of these to the city centre, at 8.5 miles. To get there, you can take the DLR Underground service (running every 8 to 15 minutes) on the Jubilee line from Canning Town station.
Buses serve each airport, where transfers are easily made at major stations like Stratford. Buses are cheaper than rental cars and help connect to the final travel option. Rounding out the ways to travel to the airport are London’s train and tube systems. These similarly connect via numerous travel hubs, so it’s usually not too difficult to move between the different lines to get exactly where you need to go.
If you wish to explore the surroundings of the city at your own pace, you can always rent a car in London with Opodo.
Airports in Rome
Rome features two international airports, the Fiumicino and the Ciampino. The Fiumicino is the larger of the two, serving 32.8 million passengers in 2022 compared to the Ciampino’s 3.5 million. The Fiumicino is already regarded as one of the best in the world, having received the Best Airport Award from the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe for three years in a row.
Fiumicino Airport is 20 miles to the west of Rome. The Ciampino is southeast of Rome at a distance of 7.5 miles. Both are close enough that you won't have to sit through long transfer times, which is always welcome.
Of course, once you land you're going to have to figure out how to reach the Rome city centre from the Fiumicino airport, where you have four main options.
The first, and cheapest, is by taking the shuttle bus. This heads directly from the airport to the Termini train station, which itself connects to both of the city’s metro lines. Tickets here cost €7 (£6) one way. Shuttle buses are also an option which takes you to your hotel for €30 (£26) a ticket.
Second, is the Leonardo Express train line, which again heads to the Termini station. This option costs €14 (£12) one way.
The third is a taxi. These run all night long but cost around €50 (£44) on a trip to the city centre.
Ciampino Airport travellers have two options, shuttle bus or taxi. The taxi option will cost around €35. The buses are much cheaper, costing from €7 (£6) one way.
If you wish to explore the surroundings of the city at your own pace, you can always rent a car in Rome with Opodo.
Services and facilities at Rome’s Airport
Fiumicino Airport
You don't get awarded Best Airport awards without something to show for it, and Fiumicino Airport pulls out all the stops to make sure your arrival and departure go well. Opportunities here start with shopping, with a broad range of duty-free shops and restaurants borrowing themes from all over the world.
You'll find ATMs and eight different currency exchange locations at the airport. Passenger lounges offer a relaxing wait, with premium offerings available alongside airline lounges from 5 AM each day for €36 (£ 31) for two hours.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Fiumicino Airport, alongside luggage claim systems, 24-hour help desks, and luggage storage facilities for a weekend in Rome, or much longer.
Fiumicino offers full support on request for disabled travellers.
Ciampino
Ciampino serves budget airlines, while still offering a robust and streamlined range of options for your trip as you come or go. These again include duty-free shopping, banking, ATMs, currency exchanges, and a range of snack bars, vending machines, and a wine bar.
The information desk at Ciampino is open daily from 5 AM to 11 PM.
There are no storage options available from Ciampino, though TrueStar provides luggage wrapping services from 5 AM to 9 PM daily.
Ciampino also offers support for disabled passengers on request.
When is the best time to visit Rome?
The best time to visit Rome will depend on what you want to do in Rome, your needs, and the means you have available. That said, Rome does experience different tourist seasons, and no matter when you arrive, this great city offers something for everyone. The right London Rome getaway can depend on your timing, so take notes!
Spring is the most beautiful time of the year if you're the type of traveller who loves to experience nature. With mild temperatures and flowers in bloom, visitors in March-May will see the city offering all its vibrancy, without the summer heat.
If you want to bathe in Rome's glorious sun, travel between June and August. Summer sees Rome's festivals in full swing, with notable events like the Estate Romana and Lungo il Tevere. Remember to bring your sunscreen and cover-up, as peak summer can reach up to 45°C.
The lowest prices and smallest crowds arrive within the September to February timeframe. These are the colder months, so warm clothes are your best friend. Of course, smaller crowds and lower prices make this a perfect time to visit if you’re on a budget.
Whether checking out Rome in three days or taking a longer trip, you can be sure you'll end up planning a return trip.
What to do and see in Rome
As one of the most popular historical cities in the world, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Rome. The most popular activities for most travellers to Rome involve seeing the mind-boggling historical landmarks, many of which have been standing for well over a thousand years. The Colosseum is the most famous of these, as an arena where many gladiators once fought and died for freedom, glory, and a well-deserved paycheck.
Outside of the Colosseum, other popular sights include the astonishing Pantheon, the influential Roman Forum, and more modern designs like the gorgeous Trevi Fountain. The Vatican is also a location of international interest and power, with features like the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Square. Time your visit right, and you might even lay eyes on the Pope!
For more intimate collections, the Museums of Rome such as the Galleria Borghese and Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo are open year-round and feature some of the most celebrated art from human history.
Of course, no trip to Rome would be complete without taking on the food. Areas like San Lorenzo offer tastes from traditional to contemporary and are a great place to finally see what sets authentic Italian food apart. Just try not to compare at-home Italian to the real thing, that might not be a fair fight.
FAQ about your London to Rome flight
Which airlines fly directly to Rome?
There are several airlines which fly directly from London to Rome. These include British Airways, easyJet, Iberia, ITA Airways, Jet2.com, Lufthansa, Ryanair, Swiss International Air Lines, Vueling, and Wizz Air Malta.
How can I find last-minute flights from London to Rome?
We've built a feature page dedicated to searching for last-minute flights. Travellers should use this search page to find last-minute hotels, to cover most of the difficult work in one go.
What are the cancellation fees and policies for my flight?
Policies and cancellation fees will depend on the airline you’ve booked with. The cheaper the flights, the higher cancellation fees will tend to be.
What are the distances between the airports and the city centre?
The distances between Central London and the five London airports with flights to Rome are:
London City (LCY): 8 miles
Heathrow (LHR): 14 miles
Gatwick (LGW): 25 miles
Luton (LTN): 27 miles
Stansted (STN): 40 miles
In Rome, the Fiumicino airport is located 20 miles from the city centre and the Ciampino airport is 7.5 miles from the city centre.
Can I change or cancel my flight from London to Rome?
Changes to flights will depend on your tickets and flex plan purchased, as well as the policies of the airline you booked with. Cheaper tickets will tend to be less flexible, and will usually be more expensive to cancel.
Which month is the cheapest flight ticket from London to Rome?
January is usually the cheapest time to purchase tickets from London to Rome. This is during the colder time in Rome, so if you travel during this period you should keep warm clothing in mind. Keep in mind that you can have more choices in where to stay in Rome during the down months, a serious positive!
