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Rome: where to stay and how to get there from Ireland

Rome for Irish couples and families: direct flights from Dublin to Fiumicino, Shannon to Ciampino, the best months and which area to stay in.

Updated Saturday 17 October 2026

Why go

Rome is a city you can walk through history in. The Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Vatican are all within a few kilometres of each other. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is a classic couples’ break, with long lunches and evening strolls. It also works well for families with older children who will enjoy the ancient sites. Most of what you want to see is free to look at from the street.

Getting there from Ireland

Aer Lingus and Ryanair fly direct from Dublin to Rome Fiumicino all year. easyJet starts a Belfast International to Fiumicino route on 26 October 2026. The flight from Dublin takes about 2 hours 50 minutes.

Shannon has a Ryanair route to Rome Ciampino, listed as all year. That flight takes about 3 hours. Cork, Knock and Kerry have no direct flights to Rome.

Fiumicino is about 30 km from the city. The Leonardo Express train runs non-stop to Roma Termini in about 30 minutes, every 15 minutes. The cheaper FL1 regional train stops at Trastevere and other city stations.

Ciampino is closer, about 12 km from the centre. Check the airport operator’s site, adr.it, for current bus and rail links into the city.

When to go

Average daily highs at Rome Ciampino:

  • March to May: 16°C to 22°C. Ideal for walking the city.
  • June to August: 28°C to 32°C. Very hot, with crowds at the main sights. Plan sightseeing for the morning.
  • September and October: 27°C falling to 22°C. One of the best times to visit.
  • November to February: 12°C to 17°C. Cool and quieter, with shorter queues.

Rome is a city break, not a beach destination. If you want the sea, the coast at Ostia is close to Fiumicino.

Air temperatures come from the Climate of Rome page on Wikipedia, using 1991 to 2020 data for Ciampino.

Where to stay

  • Centro Storico: the historic centre around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, best for walking everywhere.
  • Trastevere: across the Tiber, with cobbled lanes, restaurants and busy evenings.
  • Monti: near the Colosseum, with small shops and bars and good metro links.
  • Prati: close to the Vatican, calmer and well suited to families.

Good for

  • Couples who want food, history and walking.
  • Families with older children who are into ancient history.
  • A short break from Dublin or Shannon at any time of year.
  • First trips to Italy, with easy links to Florence and Naples by train.

Late deal tip

Book the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum before you book the hotel. Both sell tickets online for set entry times, and popular slots go early in busy months. Once you have entry times, pick a hotel within walking distance of them.

Sources

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