Only use authorised taxis (white cars with meters). The journey to central Rome will take about 40 minutes and the fare is approximately EUR40, although a surcharge is added on Sundays, public holidays, late at night and for excess baggage.

There is short- and long-term parking available at Ciampino Airport, all of which is contained in one parking area, located outside the terminal building. Parking is free for the first 15 minutes. No further tariff information is available.

Car rentals are provided by Avis, Budget, Europcar, National, Sixt and Hertz. The rental offices are well-signed and are located near the airport's entrance. You will require an International Driving Permit (IDP) in order to rent a vehicle, and all cars will feature automatic transmissions.

Airport taxis: As has been mentioned, taxi fares from Ciampino Airport into the centre of Rome (defined as the area within the Aurelian walls) can be prohibitively expensive. To combat this problem, the airport has set up an official taxi stand, located opposite the arrivals hall. Here, taxis operate on a fixed rate of EUR30 per cab, good for a maximum of four passengers and their baggage. However, be warned that it is only the cab drivers who are officially licensed by the city of Rome that are obliged to offer you the fixed rate - if they're not around, and you have to use someone else, the fare will be more like EUR50. The trip should take 25 minutes - but in traffic, it'll be closer to an hour.

Train: Buy a ticket (EUR1) in the arrivals hall for a COTRAL/SCHIAFFINI bus to Ciampino Città, the nearest train station to the airport. Buses leave every 30 minutes, and only take 5 minutes to reach the station. From there, you can buy a ticket (approx. EUR2) to Termini, which you should reach in about 15 minutes.

Bus: You have quite a few options available to you, should you choose to go the public bus route.

Terravision offer a service between Ciampino Airport and Rome's main railway station, Termini. These buses operate from stops located just outside the departures area of the terminal building, and make trips from the airport every 15-45 minutes, between 8.40am and midnight. You can buy tickets (EUR4 one-way, EUR8 return) for Terravision buses in the arrivals hall.

Sitbus also offers a service between the airport and Termini. These leave from the public bus stops, located across the road from the airport's parking area. Sitbus buses leave every 45 minutes between 8:30am and 11.45pm, with a journey time of about 45 minutes. Tickets (EUR4 one-way, EUR8 return) can be bought when boarding the bus, and there is no extra charge for luggage.

These two are the best options for going to Termini. If, however, you wish to get off at another Metro station, you should take an ATTRAL bus to Anagnina Metro. The (blue) ATTRAL buses operate from the public bus stops, located across the road from the airport's parking area, and run to the metro station Anagnina (on line A), leaving every 40 minutes between 6am and 10.40pm. You can buy your ATTRAL bus tickets (EUR1.20) from the arrivals hall, and it should take 10-15 minutes to get to Anagnina. Once at Anagnina, follow the 'M' sign to find the Metro station (line A). Metro tickets can be bought from an automated machine, and cost EUR1.

+39 06 7934 8521 or +39 06 7949 4234.

Departure tax is included in the price of your ticket.

Money and communications: A bank (Banco di Roma), located in the departures area, and numerous ATMs and bureaux de change scattered throughout the terminal building.

Luggage: A lost and found office is located at the information desk in the arrivals area.

Conference and business: Facilities are available, in the form of a VIP lounge with a snackbar and private boarding/disembarkation gates.

Other facilities: Other facilities at Ciampino Airport include nursery and medical facilities; a passenger assistance and customer service desk; tour operators and travel agencies; and full access and comprehensive facilities for disabled passengers (the airport is renowned for its convenience for disabled passengers).

Wi-Fi facilities: Not currently available.

Information: There is a wonderfully helpful Info Point Comune di Roma, located in the baggage reclaim area of the arrivals hall, where you can get all the Rome-related tourist information you'll ever need (including maps and brochures). The Info Point is open daily, from 9am to 6.30pm.

Shopping: Rome's Ciampino Airport boasts a good selection of shops, all located in the departures area of the terminal building. Check out Alpha Accessories, Just Design and Tutto a EUR12 for fashion and travel-related accessories; the Samsonite store for luggage; Sasch and Saldarini for clothing; and Good Buy Roma, the airport's duty-free shop, selling the usual array of alcohol, perfume, tobacco and jewellery products.

Food and Drink: You won't go hungry at Ciampino Airport - but don't expect to feast on one last unforgettable Italian meal, either. Food options are functional, as opposed to gourmet, with Chef Express (one in the arrivals section, one in the departures) serving good sandwiches and light meals; a Mr Panino, selling pizza slices and gelatos; and Onama, also selling fast food and snacks. There are numerous cafes dotted around, selling good coffee.

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of the country.

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into 100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM or bureaux de change. ATMs are widespread. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with ease in the large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities. Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than casas de cambios.

Not applicable - Ciampino Airport has only one terminal building, though you will take a shuttle from your plane to the arrivals area.