Department of

Architectural Engineering

 


Flight Planning & Arrival
Important Locations Map (pdf)

FLIGHT PLANNING

Tentatively, the arrival date is May 6, 2011. Students should arrange flight plans to arrive at Rome - Fumicino Airport (FCO) early the morning of the arrival date. Students should book the overnight flight into Rome. The ideal flight leaves Philadelphia (or other major U.S. cities) in the afternoon before and arrives about 9:00 am in the morning. An attempt will be made to arrange group ground transportation.

Travel planning hints:

  • Rome has two airports. Most international and domestic flights arrive at Fumicino (FCO). Some flights arrive at Ciampino (CIA), the older and closer airport used by many of the low cost European airlines.
  • Make flight plans with as few connecting flights as possible, especially in Europe. Flights may be subjected to weather and other delays. Customs and immigration procedures take extra time when 400 passenger disembark from a flight.
  • Schedule a minimum of 2 hours for layovers that involves customs or immigration procedures, especially at the port of arrival back into the United States.
  • Shop early for the best prices and try to book with at least one or two other classmates. Travelling together is a good idea.
  • Avoid Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. It is currently under construction, and transfers between terminals can be time consuming.
  • In many European airports, the lines at the airport counters are arranged by airlines and flight numbers. Get in the right queue.

Flight arrival time and date should be coordinated with Moses Ling. It is very important that your flight arrive on the correct day and time. Please attend all informational sessions.

ARRIVAL

Meeting other students in Rome: When flying into FCO, there is a very obvious meeting area right outside of the baggage claim. The baggage claim is located right after you go through customs.

If a meeting at the airport has not been previously arranged, you should change a small amount of money at the airport or earlier and:

  • If you arrive on a weekday, from the airport, call the Studio Office ((06) 679-0420 ) to announce your arrival (leave a message if there is no answer). Alessandra or Linda will tell you to either come to the office or go directly to one of the apartments by train from the airport then a taxi from the train station. See Contact page for addresses.
    • TAXI As soon as you go through the large bay of doors you will see many aggressive taxi drivers waiting to escort you to their taxi. You should skip these drivers, as it is virtually impossible to tell which one is legit. Tell them you are meeting friends. When you are ready, go outside to the taxi queue where all the licensed taxis are waiting.
      • When the drivers come up to you, do not let them take your bags. Just say, "Quanto costa?" (how much?) and make sure they give you a price. Do this BEFORE you enter the taxi. But you pay when you arrive at your destination.
      • Do not pay more than 60 euros for a regular taxi.
      • If a driver requests more, just say no and go to the next one. It is easy to bargin a drivers down to that price because they need business.
      • Provided you do so and share the cab with other students (with luggage, possibly only 3 to a cab), the price should be reasonable.
      • In addition, the cab directly from the airport is definitely more convenient.
      • Consult guide books for advice on avoiding rogue taxi cabs. Take only official cabs.
    • Take the airport train to downtown - get off the train at the Trastevere station or the Termini station. Take a taxicab to the apartment or to the office at the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj address.
    • If there is no answer at the office or student apartments, keys will be left with Prof. Martemucci at his apartment:

    • Prof. Romolo Martemucci
    Corso Vittorio Emanuele II #21 Apt. #18
    Rome, 00186
    Tel: (06) 6919 0401
    Cell: 347 6686 443

The airport train stops at three stations, Trastevere, Ostiense and Termini. They are all about the same distance from Piazza Collegio Romano (office) and the housing, so buy your ticket (about 8 euro) for the Trastevere station and get off there. The taxi ride from Trastevere to Collegio Romano (office) will cost about 7 to 10 euro.

OPTIONAL
Public transportation is available but with luggage, it may be cumbersome. A street car is available between Trastevere and Largo Torre Argentina (3 blocks from the apartment & office).