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November 9, 2014Rome Fiumicino – Spotting Guide
- last modified on November 29, 2023
Rome Fiumicino Airport is the largest of the airports servicing Rome (the notable other being Ciampino, which handles only low-cost traffic) and the main hub for Italian carrier ITA. The airport handled 29 million passengers in 2022.
By far the strongest airline in Fiumicino is Alitalia. Other carriers with a hub at the airport are, Neos and Vueling. Other traffic you will see, are of course the well known Northamerican carriers like Delta, American, United and Air Canada (Rouge), but you can also see Air Transat. From Asia Rome has connections provided by China Eastern, Air China, China Airlines, Thai Airways, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Kuwait Airways, Air India and of course the Gulf carriers as well. The variety of airlines is tremendous and almost all major carriers serving FCO.
If you are looking for cargo, you will be disappointed though. There are almost no cargo flights to FCO during the day. Other than that the main traffic peak for long haul flights is (like most European airports) in the morning. Unfortunately most of the Alitalia Heavies come in at noon, where the light is bad, but there are always also a couple of flights in the morning and evening. But you definitely need to plan a couple of days to get most of the heavies (and the specials). The afternoon is mostly European (primarily Alitalia) narrow-body traffic, but there are a few more widebodies around 6 PM.
Written by Julian Mittnacht, Jan Seba, Clive Grant, Severin Hackenberger and Björn Van Brussel. Last Update: June 2023 – Spot 21
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 16R/34L | 3.900 m (12.795 ft) |
| 16L/34R | 3.900 m (12.795 ft) |
| 07/25 | 3.300 m (11.811 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 | Alitalia Schengen destinations, Air France/KLM & American carriers |
| Terminal 2 | Closed for 3 years |
| Terminal 3 | Israeli and other airlines |
| Terminal 5 | Closed for 3 years |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not required at any location. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is necessary for getting around the airport as the locations are pretty far from villages and hotels and you occasionally have to switch runways as well. No infos about public transport. |
| Restrooms | Restrooms are not available at the spots. |
| Drinks/Food | There are gas stations in the town Fiumicino and along the Viale Coccia di Morto |
| Hotels | There are several good hotels in Fiumicino itself and also in Focene, which is very close and in walking distance to most of the spots of the western runway (and the beach where you can relax at noon). For the eastern runway there is a B&B called ‘Casal Biosè’, also in walking distance. |
| Season | As Rome Fiumicino has runways in a North-South direction the airport is best visited in summer as the days are longest and you can start early in the morning. The high sun altitude around noon is not really a problem as thats the time when the sun is on the runway anyway. May to August also has the best weather over the year. |
| Security | Don’t place yourself directly at the fence anywhere around the airport, and don’t take pictures through the mesh. There are sensor installed and airport security will check you immediately. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | The former Schengen-Non Schengen runway system seems to be history and there is not really one anymore. The authors have seen things such as China Eastern, Aerolineas Argentinas and even Alitalia Heavies land on the old “Schengen RWY”. But if there is a major departure wave on RWY25, 16L/34R is the prefered arrival runway as this one does not block the departures. For example after 9 AM usually most aircraft will land on 16L/34R, even arrivals from North America. Also there are some carriers who seem to have a high chance to use 16R/34L, i.e. Blue Panorama, Vueling or Ryanair, regardless of where they are coming from. If you are interested in a particular Highlights, there is only the possibility to listen to ATC to be absolutely sure. |
| 16R/34L | Runway for arrivals in both dircections. Also used as Departure runway for some heavies (EK A380 but also some others like UA or AA hase been seen). |
| 16L/34R | Runway for arrivals in both dircections. Not known to be used for departures. |
| 07/25 | Main departure runway (used only in 25 direction, exclusively for departures), even heavily loaded planes like Aerolineas or US carriers depart here. |
Viale di Lago Traiano - 34L Arrivals + 16R Departures
| WHERE | The first location is close to the terminal and very easy to find: from the airport just take one of the first exits and do head onto the Viale di Lago Traiano – there you’ll see a large turnout area north of the street. You can park right here and shoot arrivals nicely from here – for departures we recommend to walk some steps back and cross the channel to get to the southern option presented below where you are bit farer away from the runway which is better for departures. |
| WHAT | Good for 34L arrivals and 16R departures. |
| TIME | Sunrise till early noon roughly. |
| MISC. | At noon you will often find a Panini vendor here where you can grab a quick snack. Otherwise Fiumicino is also quite close. Nothing else needed |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm Arrivals: B772 = 100mm / B738 = 165mm Departures: B748 = 160mm / A339 = 220mm |
Arrivals – northern option:
Departures – southern option:
Side Road - 34L Arrivals Afternoon
| WHERE | Coming from the large roundabout head north on the Viale Coccia di Morto and exit at the first left onto a small gravel road. Drive it for about 150m so that you are at the end of the field to your left. You can park directly on the side of the gravel road and shoot from there.
Update May 2022: A parking lot has been installed on the field but spotting is still possible at next to a house. |
| WHAT | Best location for 34L arrivals in the evening. You can vary your location here on this side road, but we recommend to to the end for the best angle. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from 15:00 until sunset. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 105mm for a B772 and 160mm for an A321. |
Viale Coccia di Morto - 16R Departures Afternoon
| WHERE | Finding this spot is a bit trickier than the other. It’s right next to the forest area at the crossing. You can drive into the Via del Pesce Luna road and leave your car at the side there. This should’nt be a problem as you probably won’t stay long here. Alternatively you can directly at the main road in one of the pullouts there, but we recommend the side road, as it is safer. From the side road go back to the main road and walk along it to the south until you find a good spot, which is a bit away from the main road. |
| WHAT | Around 3 PM you will see the main Alitalia heavy departure wave, which also includes the Emirates A380 (they always use the 16R and not the 25). That’s the time for this location. All the heavies should rotate somewhere around this location, so that you can shoot them over the fence at a good angle. But of course there is no guarantee and it can happen, that the aircraft is either too high or a bit too low so that you’ll have the fence in the frame (see images below) – most of the time you’ll be fine though. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from 15:00 until sunset. |
| MISC. | The Agip gas station is just to your south and a favorite location of the local spotters. You can use it to buy supplies, but the heavies will be too high to shoot there. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 90mm for a B772 and 75mm for an A380. |
WWG Fuel Station Terrace - All RWY 16R/34L Movements Afternoon & 25 Departures Late Afternoon
| WHERE | When driving to the North of the airport or to Focene the WWG Fuel station is the first building on your left. They have parking spaces and the terrace is on the roof of the shop. There is a stair on the right side of the building.
+++ Its free of charge but please buy something at the snack bar before going to the top! Don’t stay longer than 20:00 +++ |
| WHAT | Eventhough great pictures are possible at this location, it’s uses are rather limited. If you want to shoot on the runway, you will have to deal with lots of heat haze in the afternoon which only goes away later in the evening before sunset. Also there is a big tree and an elevated hill obstructing the RWY for 16R arrivals until the aircraft is exactly at 90°, so you won’t be able to shoot from the front. 34L arrivals can also be tricky as they often use a taxiway earlier and do not pass this location (or they turn off the RWY right in front of you, making the light worse). 25 Departures are often too high (plus rather far away) at this location except for the occasional heavy. Aerolineas Argentinas seems to prefer RWY 25 and is actually one of the best departures you can get here. But even for all the downsides, this location is still worth a visit if you’re getting a bit sick of approach shots. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from 15:00 until sunset for RWY 16R/34L movements. 25 Departures are only good from 18:00. |
| MISC. | There is a small shop downstairs which offers drinks and snacks. There is also a toilet available. The snack bar closes around 19:00 and they will ask you to leave. Please order something downstairs if you wanna stay here longer! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-400mm 105mm for a B773 / 210mm for an A320 on the runway / 160mm for the B787 on the taxiway off the runway / Takeoffs on 25 are 280mm for a B738. |
Bridge - 16R Arrivals Afternoon
| WHERE | Turn right at the roundabout north of Focene and follow the road to a small bridge over a creek. You can leave your car on the northern side of the creek either on the turnout area there or on the small side road to your left, which leads to a few houses. Then shoot from the bridge or the creek side. There is a bus stop nearby as well. |
| WHAT | The location is good for arrivals on RWY 16R. You can vary the distance by going closer if you so prefer, but standing at the bridge yields the best angle. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from early afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | There is nothing close to this spot. Be aware of the busy street here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100mm for a B772 and 165mm for an A320. |
Reed Embankment - 16R Arrivals Morning
| WHERE | From the afternoon location follow the road a bit further and leave your car right next to the approach lights at a small turnout area next to the fence. Sometimes the police ask you to not park on this area. Pack your things and head along the road from here, beware of passing traffic, as there is no footpath. |
| WHAT | Good in the morning for arrivals on RWY 16R for the Non-Schengen inbound wave. You can go as far as you like depending on your preference for angle and distance. Just jump over the crash barrier and find a cozy location the grass/reed to lay down. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from sunrise until 11:00. |
| MISC. | There is nothing here. Leave the location as it was and take all the rubbish with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100mm for a B772 and 170mm for a B738. |
Via delle Acque Basse Roundabout - 16R Arrivals
| WHERE | There is a big roundabout on the northern part of Viale Cocchia di Morto and northeast of that is a small dirt area where you can park and shoot from the fence. There is also a bus stop nearby allowing access by public transport. |
| WHAT | 16R Arrivals only. |
| TIME | Light gets good around noon until the evening. |
| MISC. | There is a small fence you can easily pass without ladder. A bar is nearby as well and opened in the evenings. Haze can be an issue on hot days. But angle is slightly better than at spot 5. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm B772 = 160mm |
Field - 16L Arrivals Afternoon
| WHERE | Follow the Viale di Porto after the small bridge and go right at the next roundabout. Follow the next road until the end and drive straight towards the runway. The road makes a left turn and after a couple more hundred meters take the first exit in the next roundabout. You will find the location directly at a line of trees perpendicular to the road. You can park your car at the entranceway to the field. |
| WHAT | Location is good for arrivals on the Schengen runway in the afternoon. You’ll have the best angle somewhere close to the entranceway, but you can go closer as well, if it’s too far for you. You can move around in the field as you prefer but watch out since it’s pretty rough terrain. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from 15:00 until sunset. |
| MISC. | There is nothing here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 170mm for an A321 and 225mm for an E175. |
Field - 16L Arrivals Morning
| WHERE | Starting at the aforementioned location follow the road around the approach lights to the next roundabout. Turn right and you are already there. You can either leave your car directly after the roundabout on the field or ~100 meters further after a couple of trees at a small turnout next to the road. |
| WHAT | The location should be used for arrivals on the Schengen runway 16L in the morning. You can spot anywhere on the field but you will the better angle at the small turnout. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from sunrise until 11:00. |
| MISC. | There is nothing here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100mm for an A333 and 180mm for an A320. |
Car parking
Farm road - 34R Arrivals Morning
| WHERE | There is a location for 34R arrivals in the morning along the Via della Corona Boreale. You can’t drive with the car to the fence (there is a barrier blocking the way), so you will have to leave it somewhere along the road and walk a few hundred meters until you reach the location. |
| WHAT | Location for arrivals on RWY 34R in the morning. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from sunrise until 11:00. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. At least some shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | E190/A320 = 210mm |
Parking Lot - 34R Arrivals Morning
| WHERE | This one is pretty easy to find and an alternative to spot #10. When you start in Fiumicino just follow the Via Portunese eastwards for approximate 5km. Pass the approach path until you see a big empty parking area on your left hand side. Turn left, even its not allowed or just use the next roundabout to turn arround. Park your on the street and find a place to stay. The road is not really in use so you won´t get a problem with other traffic. (google street view is not up to date!) |
| WHAT | Arrivals location for runway 34R (Schengen). The angle is not the best as the planes are higher than on spot #10 but its pretty easy to reach by car. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from sunrise until 11:00 |
| MISC. | There is nothing here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 130mm for an A330 and 230mm for an 738. |
Cargo Area Parking Lot - 34R Arrivals Evening
| WHERE | There is only one way to get to this location. First head towards the airport and always follow the signs to the Cargo Area. You will be turning quite often in the area south of the airport before getting to the cargo area, but it should always be signposted. After a couple of oneway roads you will reach the Via Mario Castoldi and turn right here. Park your car at the side of the road where often trucks are parked as well. |
| WHAT | Arrivals location for runway 34R (Schengen). You can shoot directly from this point or head into the parking lot for a slightly better angle, but it could happen that you will be sent away from the parking lot. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from 15:00 until sunset. |
| MISC. | There is nothing here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 160mm for an A321 and 210mm for an E175. |
Viale Coccia di Morto Petrol Station - 34L Movements Afternoon
| WHERE | There is a petrol station right at the level of the runway beginning and a powerbox enable you to look over the fence. You need to be quite up to the mark and fit to climb up this powerbox as it is really hight like a normal person but as long as you are tall and in good conditions it won’t usually be a problem. |
| WHAT | You can observe all runway 34L arrivals movements as well as taxiing aircraft if heat haze is not too strong. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from 14:00 until sunset. |
| MISC. | Food is available here as well as a lavatory |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 90mm for a B772 and 75mm for an A380. |
Farm road - 16R arrivals
| WHERE | From Spot #6, drive further on eastbound until you see a little bridge and a bus stop on your right. Turn right to go over the bridge and park your car on the right side of the road. From there on you can walk on a sandy unpaved way, next to a carrot field. You can find yourself a spot wherever you want along the path, as long as you don’t block the passage. This spot is slightly better then spot #6 since you don’t need to park your car along the busy road, you can move around in a free way and it’s less dangerous. However, you will have some background in your shots when the heavies come in instead of sky like on spot #6. |
| WHAT | Good in the morning for arrivals on RWY 16R for the Non-Schengen inbound wave. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from sunrise until 11:00. |
| MISC. | There is nothing here. If the farmer passes by, just say “hi” and he won’t bother you. Sometimes the wild dogs from the nearby farm running around so be aware. Heat haze is a huge issue, not just in summer! Do not walk onto the fields and destroy the plants! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-300mm – 150mm for a B773, 280mm for a B789 |
Go all the way to the field in the back here…
…to get this view:
Sand Hill - 16L arrivals
| WHERE | When coming from Spot #9, drive southbound on the Via Della Muratella for approx 500m until you see an abandoned gas station on your right. Turn right immediately after this into a small unnamed road. You will end up in front of a crashgate. Park your car on the right side on the sand and don’t block the crashgate. You can then find a sand hill where you can climb over the fence. An alternative is to use a high step ladder far from the fence. You have a small buidling in front of you, but you can shoot either before, either after it. You are standing higher then the fence so it’s not a blocking point. Compared to spot #9 you have some background in your pics. |
| WHAT | Good in the morning for arrivals on RWY 16L. Exceptionally you have a non-Schengen flight arriving here as well |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from sunrise until 11:00. |
| MISC. | There is nothing here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200mm – 100mm for an A333, 165mm for an A319 |
Canal - 16L arrivals touchdown zone
| WHERE | From spot #9 you drive southbound for approx 1,5km until you can turn right into the Via Della Corona Boreale. Follow this road until you pass the canal. Park your car here where it doesn’t block the others and place yourself along the canal. You can see the runway in front of you, around the touch-down zone. You are however pretty far away so this spot is only useable in wintertime or early morning, else you’ll suffer from massive heathaze. |
| WHAT | Good in the morning for arrivals on RWY 16L. Referred to as “burning point” since this is where the wheels touch the ground so you can take some nice smokey pictures. |
| TIME | In summer light is good from sunrise until 10-11:00 but due to the heat haze only useable in the early morning hours. |
| MISC. | There is nothing here, a lot of rubbish around this spot so don’t make it worse. Somtimes prostitutes hanging around here and are not amused if you disturb their “business”. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-400mm |
Due to the heat distortion we did not make any pics from this location. Feel free to share your pictures with us by using the contact form.
Bridge/Crash Gate - 25R departures
| WHERE | When coming from Spot #3, drive northbound along the Viale Coccia Di Morto until you see a bridge on your right at a crashgate. Turn onto the bridge and try to park your car somewhere where it doesn’t block the gate nor the bicycle path. |
| WHAT | Good around noon for departures on RWY 25. This spot is the best thing to do around noon when arrival shots are not possible. |
| TIME | Best around noon. |
| MISC. | You are not too far away from 2 gas stations, in case you need a toilet or food and beverages. Take care to park your car on the bridge’s edge before the “do not enter signs”, but also not too close to the road passing by! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-400mm – 185mm for a B773, 250mm for a B763 |
Malibu Beach - Take-off runway 25
| WHERE | From the spot number 4, head direction south on Malibu Beach. Just see where you want to stand to get the best angle. |
| WHAT | This place is good for take-off runway 25. |
| TIME | From late afternoon on only. |
| MISC. | Here is nothing nearby except beach clubs, so take what you need with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 300-500mm is best |
Crash Gate - 16L Arrivals
| WHERE | There is a crash gate at the corner of Vialle del’Olivetello and Viale di Campo Salino. The gaps between the bars of the crash gate are large enough to take photos through. You can park at the side of the track leading up to the crash gate, but not too close and make sure you don’t block access to the gate. Landing shots with aircrafts above the trees can also be taken over the fence from slightly further back on Viale di Campo Salino (all examples were taken from here). |
| WHAT | Arrivals for Runway 16L in the afternoon. The difference to #8 is that you have some trees as an background and not just a blue sky. However the disadvantage is the higher distance which also means that this location will be prone to heat haze in summer during early afternoon. |
| TIME | In summer the light is good from 15:00 until sunset. |
| MISC. | There is some shade under the trees but there is nothing else here so bring what you need. Somtimes prostitutes hanging around here and are not amused if you disturb their “business”. If you walk down the street for some pictures, be aware of the busy street! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-300mm |
Crash Gate:
Back on Viale di Campo Salino:
Rubbish mounds - 34R Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located in a closed parking lot east of runway 16L/34R. You have to enter from the roundabout just next to the GLS hall. Now you can either stand at the northern end where the biggest rubbish mounds are or continue down south to have the aircraft a bit higher – but there are no big mounds anymore. |
| WHAT | 34R Arrivals only. |
| TIME | From sunrise till early noon. |
| MISC. | Heat haze is a big issue from later morning on! There are just very few trees for shadow. Otherwise there is nothing around here. Please wear proper shoes as the rubbish mounds can be full of dangerous things or animals! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-300mm A333 side on = 125mm |
Hello, I was wondering if there are any websites that publish Fiumicino’s aircraft movements. I flew out of here in September 2022 and there are quite a few things that I can’t tie up for my log.
Many thanks,
Stuart.
hi! any good spots inside the terminal/concourses? thanks!
Now sorry I didn’t read below more closely but can update for Laken Walker/Fredrico below
This is from today located myself at the fence at the 16R threshold about 9am security arrived about 1300 and asked me to move on however in 4 hours got a few arriving/departing new scheme ITA 330/350 so I was fortunate Was on foot and security van stayed with me on and off the entire 3900m to other end at 34L know next time to go to spot 14 Thanks to all for providing a great website Will add a few comments about Barcelona later in the week there last Monday and discovered an airside location which I don’t think featured in the article
I left a security note in the guide about the “fence issue”.
Thanks, Julian
The phrase ” The scanner isn’t 100% legal in Italy so use it with discrection.” in the main description is misleading.
In fact, scanners are 100% NOT legal in Italy and you might get fined for using it plus the scanner is taken from you if you get caught.
As in most european countrys the police does not actively search for scanners, but there´s no reason to encourage people to break the law in my opinion.
Hi are you allowed near the fence at FCO as I saw it has black boxes on , I just want to take a few pics and move on. Thanks
It’s better to avoid, Police will come immediatly to check you and send you away
Thank you I thought so will defo avoid. Thanks
Heads up, spots 16 and 19 have prostitution going on there, and the girls are not happy with you being there not for them😂, just a heads up.
Give them some money and they are happy 😉
-Julian
Hi great guide really helpful. I’m planning on visiting in October for the G20 summit and was wondering if most of the various world leaders aircrafts will be flown into here or would they go to CIA? TYIA
Next to spot 15 there is a petrol station. There you have a small bar that has a terrace with shade. Food is cheap and it’s a great place to be seated down and read registrations. Not good for photos as there’re obstacles. This is the palce to rest, have some food and do the hobby when the sun is just too high.
East of Runway 16L/34R there’s a small guest house called “Casal Biose” (although on booking it shows as “Guest House Fiera”). The place is cheap, it has free breakfast and you can walk to the spots for runway 16L.
Hi Rui, nice to hear from you! I have added your recommendations to the map. Thanks for the input.
-Julian
Yeah indeed, when I’ve been to FCO the last time it was still an abandoned gas station, now it is active again. But please mind everybody, as Rui stated: It’s not really an option for taking photos. it might be possible from the south-western part of the gas-station parking, but I would recommend it.
Hallo all,
I was here from June 4th till June 11th.
I stayed at the Euro House Hotel, very easy to go from there to the runways by rental car and there is a supermarket nearby 5min walk.
Every early morning I first go to 16R for landings of most Wide Bodies till 9am spot 6. Then the outbound peak started.
That meant that most of the Wide Bodies would land on 16L untill around 10.30 or so and the exception of little planes non-schengen.( but this was sometimes also not the case), so I was standing at spot 15.
Note that the grass was really high, no mowing done.
Between 12 and 4pm I was not around the airport, but after yes. Back at 16R but on the other side at spot 5 for the Wide Bodies .
But be aware that not all will come, specially the China Eastern A350 mostly go to 16L and Air China was sometimes a guess, but after that most would come to 16R.
Strange to say that I stood a few times at spot 15 without any problems, but the last day the airport securtiy was not in a good mood and said to me that it was not possible for me to take photo’s of planes on that spot, so I had to go.
About that helicopter from the Italian Police, when El Al flight is coming in, I had no problems with it while standing on spot 14.
It came 2x low overhead and I just stayed there, no police car seen.
For the rest a nice airport for spotting, TIP if you use FR24: best is to sometimes not have the filter on for FCO so you also see the unexpected flights 😉 (like Blue Panorama or N/A flights)
Hi guys,
is there any spot which can be easily reached by public transport? I will be in Rome for few days, however I don’t plan to rent a car.
Thank you for advices.
Hello Marian,
Spot 5 and 6 you can reach by bus. There are bus stops really nearby, but get to know the times when they will pass there.
Maybe you can see them with Google Earth street view
Hello Ralph,
thank you for tip, I will check it.