Port of Civitavecchia -
How To Get From The Cruise Dock to Civitavecchia Train Station

"Just as with any major cargo and ferry port, e.g. Livorno Italy, in the port of Civitavecchia it will also be impossible for you to get off the ship and walk straight into town..."

If the name of Civitavecchia Italy popped up in your itinerary when you were choosing your next Mediterranean cruise and you didn’t know what and where it was… you were not the only one!

What is the importance of the Port of Civitavecchia?

By now, we’re sure, you already know that this little town, the port of Civitavecchia, is one of the oldest ports in the Mediterranean and is just a gateway for your day trips into Rome or a home port where you will start and end your cruise.

The port of Civitavecchia was founded at the end of the 2nd Ct AD when the Roman emperor Trajan built a port that would cater to the ancient city of Rome.

Today, this port is one of the main connections between the mainland Italy and the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and Malta as well as the Spanish city of Barcelona.

See how big the port is from the air...

It contains more than 20 piers many of which are used by ferry and container ships, but 7 are available for cruise ships, and this part of the port is called RCT (Rome Cruise Terminal).

All major cruise lines dock here: Royal Caribbean, Princess, Costa, Oceania, Celebrity, Holland America, Seabourn, Regent Seven seas.

Today, this port handles approx. 2 thousand ferry and cruise ship movements a year. That is nearly 2 million passengers a year which makes it the third busiest Mediterranean port after Barcelona and Genoa.

Sailing into Civitavecchia

How to get from the port of Civitavecchia to the town of Civitavecchia?

What is the best way to visit Colosseum from Civitavecchia?

Just as with any major cargo and ferry port, e.g. Livorno Italy, in the port of Civitavecchia (port of Italy, Rome) it will also be impossible for you to get off the ship and walk straight into town.

First of all, the distance between the cruise ship dock and the port exit is too far, and second, with all the trucks and containers being moved around it is too dangerous to roam around.

That’s why the port of Civitavecchia has organized free shuttle buses from cruise ships docks to the port exit/entrance or the port's service center/main info point in Largo della Pace, which is just steps away from the Civitavecchia city centre. The port shuttle runs every 15 minutes.

Largo della Pace is also where from you can get a SIT transfer bus to Rome (stops at both San Pietro and Temini station).

Here's the map of the port and port shuttle bus stops (cruise services are the green ones and the light blue ones). All you need to know is which pier your cruise ship docks at. Even if you don't don't worry, you will be directed where you need to go once you get off the ship.

If you have organized an independent Rome shore excursion or shuttle transportation for the day, make sure you know if your driver will be either:

picking you up inside the cruise terminal, right by your cruise ship
or by the port exit

All the port buses will have signs displayed with ships’ names on, so you don’t have to worry about taking a wrong bus and ending up at a wrong dock when coming back.

Where you get dropped off, there is a little info kiosk if you need some last minute information on your way from Civitavecchia to Rome.

As you exit the shuttle bus stop area, you will find yourself on one of the main Civitavecchia streets, just across the street from McDonalds.

If you are taking a Civitavecchia Rome train into Rome, you’ll be happy to know the railway station, also known as Stazione di Civitavecchia is 1,5 miles (2,5 km) or some 10 - 20 minutes walk from the port exit.

As you’re facing the McDonalds just take the road to the right…you’ll be walking a wide sunny street with a few hotels and restaurants along the way. It is actually the waterfront of the port town of Civitavecchia.

If you stay on the left hand side of the street, with the sea on your right, after about 10 - 20 minutes you will reach the train station building.

from civitavecchia port to the train station

Only 20 minutes to the train station from the port exit

Is there a bus from Civitavecchia cruise port to the train station?

Yes, there is a public service bus (CSP - Civitavecchia Public Service) that leaves from the main port's hub, Largo della Pace. You will see they have the ARGO logo on them.

Now that you know how to reach the train station in Civitavecchia, make sure you read our article Civitavecchia Rome train to find out how to go about taking a train from the port of Civitavecchia to Rome.

If you'd like to save time on a very short day in port, check out our suggestions for Civitavecchia to Rome transfers, or even better here's some ideas for taking shore excursions in Rome.

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