Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After landing at Fiumicino Airport, allow time for passport control and baggage collection before reaching the railway station. Take the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini, a journey of about 32 minutes; the airport-train fare is usually around €14. Leave your luggage at a staffed left-luggage facility inside or immediately around Roma Termini, confirming its collection hours in advance. If it cannot hold bags until late evening, reduce the sightseeing or arrange accommodation.
From Termini, take Metro B toward Laurentina and get off at Colosseo. Allow roughly 15–25 minutes, including finding the platform and walking to the entrance. Book the Colosseum for a late-morning timed slot, allowing extra time for security. Admission may include the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, but with the Vatican still ahead, treat those areas as optional rather than attempting a rushed full visit. Timed admission is a booking dependency and should not be assumed to be available on arrival.
After the Colosseum, take Metro B back to Termini, change to Metro A toward Battistini, and get off at Ottaviano; allow about 45–60 minutes including the transfer and walk. Visit St Peter’s Square and St Peter’s Basilica if the security queue is manageable. Cover shoulders and knees, and check for service-related access restrictions. Allow roughly €10–20 per person for a quick lunch and coffee near the Vatican or en route; side streets are generally better value than the main squares.
Walk along Via della Conciliazione to Castel Sant’Angelo, taking about 20–25 minutes. The exterior, bridge and river views are the practical choice today; entering the castle would make the evening schedule unnecessarily tight. Continue by bus or on foot toward the historic centre, depending on live traffic and your energy.
From Castel Sant’Angelo, walk about 25–30 minutes toward the Pantheon, or use a local bus if a convenient live route is available. Allow around 45 minutes at the Pantheon, checking the official schedule because religious services can affect entry. Then walk 10–15 minutes to Trevi Fountain, leaving time to wander through the nearby lanes and have an early dinner.
Return to Roma Termini by walking or bus, collect your luggage and check the current overnight connection to Fiumicino Airport. For the 6:25 AM flight, aim to arrive at the airport around 4:00 AM. The Leonardo Express may not run early enough, so verify an overnight airport coach or Cotral service and reserve a seat where possible; typical fares are approximately €6–15. If no service reaches the airport by about 4:00 AM, staying near Fiumicino Airport is the reliable alternative rather than depending on an unverified last-minute connection.
No packing list attached yet.