Business trip to Rome: practical tips and inspiration

Who does not know the expression "tutte le strade portano a Roma" or rather "there are many roads that lead to Rome"? This also applied to me, Femke de Hond (Business Travel Consultant). After orienting myself towards a winter sport in Portugal or a city trip to London, I finally arrived at Rome after some detours. From my own experience at the destination and after regularly booking business trips to this Italian destination, in this blog I share useful tips and inspiration for your next business trip to Rome.

Travel to Rome

By plane

There are daily flights from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Düsseldorf (Weeze) or Brussels (Charleroi) to Rome's two airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino. Fiumincino, also known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport, is Rome's largest international airport and is located about 30 kilometers west of the city. Ciampino is, mainly used by budget airlines, is located 16 kilometers southeast of the city. So this offers a sea of flight options! All options are easily and quickly found in our online booking tool UBI. I myself chose ITA Airways from Amsterdam to Fiumicino.

By train

It is also possible to travel to Rome by train from the Netherlands. The journey usually starts with a Thalys or ICE train to Paris or Frankfurt, where you can transfer to a high-speed train bound for Italy. The train trip obviously takes longer than a flight, but offers a relaxed and comfortable way to travel where you can enjoy the beautiful European landscape along the way. Travel times and routes we are happy to find out for you.

Travel in Rome

Once arrived in Rome, there is also a sea of options to choose from here to continue the business trip. I'll take you through:

Transportation from Rome Fiumicino Airport

•  Private transfer: to pursue carefree in Rome, can our business travel consultants book a transfer in advance. The driver will be waiting for you in the arrival hall and will take you to your desired place in the city in no time. An additional advantage is that the payment is made on voucher and therefore you do not have to pay anything on the spot.
•  Cab: these white cabs can be found at terminals 1 and 3. These cabs charge a fixed fare for each ride to the center. A ride to downtown takes about 40 minutes, depending on how busy it is.
•  Bus: boarding points can be found at terminal 3. From Fiumicino there are a three bus companies that go to the center of Rome: SIT bus, T.A.M. bus and Atral-Schiaffini. Buses leave every half hour with a travel time of about an hour. Tickets can be purchased online or on the bus for about €6 each way. The Atral-Schiaffini bus is the only one that runs directly to Termini, the central station in the heart of Rome.
•  Train: the fastest option from Fiumicino is the special Leonardo Express. This train leaves every 15 minutes and takes you directly to the heart of Rome in half an hour. A ticket costs €15 one way and can be purchased at a ticket office or vending machine. A cheaper alternative is the Trenitalia regional train. These also depart every 15 minutes, but stop at several Rome stations (not Termini), making travel time longer. A one-way ticket costs only €8.
  Notice: train tickets are not valid until they are pre-stamped at one of the vending machines.

Transportation from Rome Ciampino Airport

• Cab: these cabs can be found at the arrivals terminal and again they charge a fixed price to the center of Rome.
• Bus: here, the bus is the best and fastest option, with a travel time of about 40 minutes (SIT bus). The bus leaves about every hour and a one-way ticket costs about €5. Tickets can be purchased both online and on the bus.
•  Metro: In the city of Rome itself, there are two metro lines: line A (red) and line B (blue), which can be used to travel around Rome. Tickets can easily be purchased at the ticket machines at each station. These tickets are also valid on the entire ATAC public transport system (metro, bus, streetcar and some regional trains: 2nd class Trenitalia, Roma-Lido, Roma-Viterbo and Rome-Giardinetti). However, these tickets are not valid up to the airport.

Accommodations in Rome

Important when traveling to Rome or any other destination is the accommodation. After all, every traveler looks for accommodation in the perfect location. Closest to the airport for a quick visit, near public transportation for quick connections between appointments, close to a trade show venue, etc. Through our online booking tool UBI, you are flexible and able to find the best available rate using handy floor plans and descriptions. Personally, I chose an accommodation that was within walking distance of public transportation so I could easily move between the various highlights.

Below are some suitable hotels in central Rome:

• Best Western plus Hotel Universo****: a hotel just steps away from Termini Central Station. The hotel has 197 rooms and features a well-equipped gym, wellness, a restaurant and a lounge bar to still mingle with colleagues or simply relax after your working day. Hotel Universo also has a conference center consisting of 10 meeting rooms, all equipped with functional devices. This hotel is great for business travelers because of its extensive business facilities and proximity to public transportation.
• NH Collection Palazzo Cinquecento*****: this hotel is ideal for business travelers thanks to its central location next to Termini Station. The hotel features modern meeting facilities and a fully equipped business center, perfect for business meetings. Comfortable rooms and luxurious amenities, including a fitness center and rooftop terrace, ensure relaxation and productivity. Excellent service and dining options complete your stay, allowing you to fully concentrate on your business tasks.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel*****: this luxury hotel is set in a large park on Monte Mario Hill, offering a quiet oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The hotel offers extensive business facilities and stunning views of Rome. An ideal choice for business travelers seeking luxury, comfort and excellent facilities for both work and leisure.

Photos source: NH Collection Palazzo Cinquecento

Doing business in Italy: what are the customs?

The Italian language can be a barrier to making contact, but certainly does not have to be a problem if you are familiar with the other person's customs and habits. Here are some important manners listed below:

• Make an effort to speak Italian: this works well in building trust, even if it's just a few words. A compliment about Italy will also be appreciated.
• Face-to-face meetings: Italians like to meet you in person, especially on first acquaintance. This is seen as a sign of respect and commitment.
• Temperamental character: Italians can be quite temperamental when they disagree with something. Don't let this deter you, this is just in Italy. Italy.
• Use titles: Address your business partner by his or her title. It is not customary to address someone directly by their first name unless you are explicitly invited to do so.
• Timing of appointments: Do not schedule appointments for the first and last hour of the workday or immediately after lunch time. A business lunch does provide a good opportunity for initial introductions.
• Avoid negative comments: negative comments about Italy or anything Italian should be avoided. Italians are proud of their culture.
• Clothing and appearance: Appearance is important in Italy. Italians appreciate groomed and fashionable clothing. Give many compliments on appearance and presentation.

Rome is the ideal destination for business travelers, with easy flight and train connections, efficient transportation options and excellent accommodations. Whether you choose to stay close to public transportation or a hotel with extensive business facilities, Rome has it all. With proper preparation and knowledge of local customs, you can build successful business relationships. For more information and help planning your business trip to Rome, contact our business travel consultants. They will be happy to help you book flights, accommodations, transfers and more.

Travel Well!

Femke the Dog
Business Travel Consultant