Vueling: Valencia to Rome

The carrier: Vueling

About

Vueling is a Spanish budget airline with several hubs and destinations throughout western Europe. 

While there are many complaints about the airline's planes and customer service, it remains a favorite for its easy pricing system and its brand aesthetics, which are bright, appealing and fun.

Upside

Nice destination tally in an appealing brand. Friendly and energetic cabin crew and staff.

Downside

Recently found itself in financial trouble.  Cramped planes and very little legroom. 

Baggage

* Carry-on: One piece of carry-on luggage, not to exceed 10 kg.
* Checked: Up to 23 kg of luggage at the rate of €10 per bag. Over this, you will be charged €10 per kg. Note that you must pre-register your checked luggage in advance of your flight. Otherwise, a penalty fee (€20) applies for each unregistered bag.

* Please visit Vueling’s website for more information on its baggage policy.

Seating

You can quickly and easily choose a seat once you've booked your flight on-line. "XL" seats with more legroom are available from €10 to €13, depending on the duration of the flight.

Check-in and Ticketing

Passengers can check-in online from 7 days to 3 hours hours before departure.  It is available for passengers with or without checked baggage.  Those with special needs are encouraged to check-in at the airport. 

Fun Fact

Vueling was the first Spanish airline to allow customers to choose where they wish to sit at the time of booking.

Departure: Valencia, Spain (VLC)

Valencia Airport in Manises ranked eighth among Spanish airports in terms of air traffic and second in the region after Alicante. The airport has flight connections to about 15 European countries with most passengers coming from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France. Despite the international connections, the airport handles mainly domestic scheduled flights (close to half the domestic connections are with Madrid). Other destinations of importance, although more seasonal, include Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Seville and Ibiza. Over the years, the airport has become an important business and tourist center as it encourages economic growth in the area. Location:Valencia airport, which is located 8 km west of the capital. Transport: - Bus: There a couple of buses that run to and from Valencia Airport into the center of town. Also, twice daily buses serving the main resorts of the Costa Blanca are available. The Aero-Bus runs directly between the airport and the city center every 20 minutes. Local bus 150 runs between the airport and the central bus station, but it is not as frequent as the Aero-Bus, and it is not a direct service. It is, however, cheaper than the shuttle. - Taxi: Taxis can be found outside of the Arrivals Hall. Be prepared to pay an extra airport supplement fee. A taxi from the airport into the city should cost around €15. Service: The airport has a few information desks in the terminal building as well as a tourist information office. In the terminal, travelers can find several shops, four cafeterias and several restaurants. There are ATMs throughout the airport as well as a currency exchange. Other airport services include a pharmacy, chapel, and First Aid center.

Arrival: Rome, Italy - Leonardo da Vinci di Fiumicino (FCO)

Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport or "Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci di Fiumicino," also commonly known as Rome-Fiumicino International Airport, its former name, is Italy's largest airport and second-largest international air gateway and Rome's primary airport. While the focus at Fiumicino is on long-haul routes flown by conventional airlines, the airport also hosts several budget airlines. Among these, Blu-express, Vueling, and Air Berlin fly the most routes.

Fiumicino may not be one of the most exciting big city airports in Europe, but it does, unsurprisingly, sport some of the best espresso bars we've ever found.

Location: Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport is situated 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of the city, in the coastal city of Fiumicino.

Transport:

- Rail: Fiumicino benefits from a fab airport train connection, which drops passengers off at Rome's massive Termini train station. To take the train, follow the signs at the airport marked "Treni." The train runs every half hour, from 6:37 a.m. until 11:37 p.m. and takes about 35 minutes. Tickets cost €9.50 and can be purchased from one of the (sometimes unreliable) ticket machines or at the train ticket office. If you're pressed for time, you can buy a ticket on the train for €11.

Another option, especially good for visitors staying in Trastevere, is to take one of the local trains, Orte or Fara Sabina. A journey on either train lasts 45 minutes and costs €5. Orte and Fara Sabina trains depart from the airport station for Rome's Stazione Tiburtina. At Tiburtina, you can catch the B subway line. Stops on the B line include Trastevere and Ostiense.

- Bus: Another way to get into the center of Rome from Fiumicino airport is on the Terravision express bus. The Terravision bus connects Fiumicino airport to Rome's Termini Station. Tickets cost €7 one-way and €12 round-trip. Visit the Terravision booking engine to book bus tickets in advance.

- Taxi: Taxis are available at the airport. The official taxis are white and identified by the illuminated Taxi sign on the roof. Ensure the meter is running, and check the approximate price of the journey beforehand. Expect to pay a whopping €60 per ride, not including supplementary charges for luggage, nighttime travel, and Sunday travel. (Stick to the train, folks!)

Service: There are information desks located in all three terminals. There are a number of restaurants, cafes and bars located throughout the airport. There are numerous first-class shopping centers that have exclusive stores selling quality goods, as well as the duty-free shops. Other facilities include first aid, a chapel and prayer room, a Bureau de change, and 24-hour cash machines (ATMs).