Rome Cruise Port: Frequently Asked Questions

The Rome cruise port is located in the coastal town of Civitavecchia, which is part of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital. It’s one of the most stunning Italy cruise ports to visit.

Rome is less than 50 miles away from the cruise port in Civitavecchia. It takes about 40 minutes to get there on the express train.

Planning to spend at least three days in Rome before your cruise and do some sightseeing? One of the easiest ways to see the glorious sights of the city and get to the Rome port at Civitavecchia in time to embark on your cruise is to book a Private Journeys excursion, a personalized destination experience created especially for you.

Your personal guide and driver will time your hotel pick-up and your sightseeing to ensure that you arrive at Civitavecchia with plenty of time to check in for your cruise.

You can also book a shared shuttle service or private car service from Rome to the cruise port. These services will pick you up (and others, if you’re sharing a ride) at your hotel or other destination and deliver you directly to the Civitavecchia cruise port for a cost of about €65 per person.

Traveling by train from Rome to the cruise port is the fastest and most economical option, though not as convenient if you have multiple pieces of luggage.

To do so, board the train from the Termini station to Civitavecchia. The trip will take about an hour. You can walk to the cruise port from the train station in Civitavecchia (a little over a mile, or about a 15-minute walk) or hail a cab outside the station that will take you directly to the cruise terminal.

The most hassle-free way to travel from the Rome cruise port at Civitavecchia to the city of Rome is to book a shuttle and express train excursion. Many shore excursions offer a private escorted shuttle from the cruise terminal to the train station, along with a ticket on an express train to Rome.

When you arrive in Rome at St. Peter’s Station, you’ll have about five hours of free time to explore the Eternal City and its sights. At the appointed departure time, make your way back to St. Peter’s train station to take the express train and shuttle ride back to the cruise terminal in Civitavecchia.

You can also take an easy 15-minute walk from the cruise port to the train station in the town of Civitavecchia and catch a local or express train that will take from 40 to 90 minutes to reach Rome’s Termini Station. Additionally, buses and taxis are available outside the cruise terminal.

The easiest way to get from the airport to Civitavecchia is to book a shore excursion that includes an airport pickup and a narrated tour of Rome’s most iconic sights, including the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Vatican City, and Castel Sant’Angelo on the way to the Rome port.

At St. Peter’s Square, you’ll also have some time on your own to explore the city before reboarding your motorcoach for the journey to the cruise port at Civitavecchia.

Another way to travel from Fiumicino Airport to the cruise port at Civitavecchia, which is about 30 miles away, is by a shared ride or taxi that will drop you directly at the cruise terminal. The trip takes about one hour.

You can also take a train from the airport, which will require changing trains at Trastevere to board a train going to Civitavecchia.

Read: Explore Rome Off-the-Beaten Path

The town of Civitavecchia and the surrounding area are filled with important historic and archeological sites.

Fort Michaelangelo is an imposing four-towered fort that had its first stone blessed and placed by Pope Julius II in 1508. Today, Fort Michaelangelo houses the Port Captaincy offices and is surrounded by a lovely flower-laden pedestrian walkway. See the inscription over the bronze jamb that reads: “Drop the arms.”

Civitavecchia’s town center is about a ten-minute walk from the port. In the center of town, you’ll find locals shopping for fruits, vegetables, and fish at Piazza Regina Margherita, an indoor farmers market.

You can also visit the Archeological Museum of Civitavecchia, which is filled with ancient relics and artifacts of the area. Cap off your day in port with an espresso and pastry at one of the town’s cafes.

Read: What to Eat in Rome

Cruises from Rome sail to sun-soaked destinations across Italy and the Mediterranean. Explore the glittering Greek Islands. Wander through the sand-colored town of Valletta and the charming streets of Kotor.  Discover Croatia’s stunning beaches, flavorful cuisine, and romantic cities.

On longer voyages, you can cruise to places like Israel, Turkey, and Cyprus, or cross the Atlantic on a repositioning cruise that ends in Fort Lauderdale.

Read: An Insider’s Guide to Limassol, Cyprus

Browse our cruise itineraries from Rome to find the perfect vacation.

On Italy shore excursions from Civitavecchia, you’ll experience the best of Rome and the surrounding area. Whether that’s seeing famous ancient sites, exploring the countryside outside the city, or going on an active adventure, there’s a shore excursion for you.

Tours of Iconic Sites

Get a feel for the days of gladiators and the spectators who cheered them on with a deep-dive tour of the Colosseum, one of the most recognized landmarks of the ancient world. Enter the unique and restricted world of Vatican City, where the Pope resides and the business of the Roman Catholic Church takes place. Explore the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. Marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most beautiful churches in the world.

Olive Oil Tasting

If you’ve visited Rome before, book a shore excursion that takes you to the scenic Roman countryside and enjoy the hospitality of a local family, who will show you the fine points of olive oil production. Sample local olive oils, wine, honey, jams, and bread.

Rafting on the Tiber River

If you’re a fan of active adventures, book a rafting trip on the Tiber River that begins with a scenic country drive to the rafting site. See Rome from a totally different perspective as you drift downriver passing bridges, the Palazzaccio (Palace of Justice), and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Afterward, you’ll have time to explore the area around St. Peter’s Square. Shop for souvenirs at nearby shops, stop for a refreshing gelato, or do as the locals do and order a quick espresso, drink with gusto, and continue on your way.

Extend Your Stay

If you want to see more of Rome than is possible in a day, book shore excursions that offer overnight accommodations before or after your cruise. See the sights you’re most excited about on your own schedule. Shop the Via del Corso and the Via Condotti for luxury goods, linger over a fine Italian meal at a small trattoria, and marvel at the sight of the Trevi Fountain at night.

Read: Best Cruises for Couples