Rome protests October 18 near Santi Apostoli

Published on Oct 17, 2025, 11:07 am CDT

3 min read

Key points

Large rallies centered on Santi Apostoli
Road closures ripple across the historic center
Use rail links for airport transfers
Expect diversions around Termini and Tiburtina

Impact

Airports: Allow extra time to reach Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA).
Flights: Airlines may hold departures if crews or late-connecting passengers are delayed getting to gates.
Travelers: Use Leonardo Express or FL1 for FCO, Ciampino Airlink for CIA, avoid curbside pickups near the center.
Outlook: Multiple groups list events on October 18 with start times from late morning to mid-afternoon; crowd sizes and closures may expand.

Organizers have called for a large manifestation in central Rome on Saturday, October 18, beginning around 2:00 p.m. CEST at Piazza dei Santi Apostoli. Additional events tied to separate groups are set earlier and later in the day near the same square. Travelers should anticipate rolling closures, police cordons, and short diversions across the historic center. Airport transfers to and from Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina could slow, especially for curbside taxis and ride-hailing. Rail links remain the most reliable way to reach the airports.

Rome demonstrations and transport context

A coalition of migration and human-rights groups plans a 2:00 p.m. gathering at Santi Apostoli, while other organizations have promoted assemblies in the same location during the late morning and mid-afternoon. Rome's mobility agency frequently imposes time-boxed detours during weekend events in the center, and ATAC posts route changes on the day. With multiple rallies overlapping, traffic pinch points are likely around Via del Corso, Piazza Venezia, and approaches to Termini and Tiburtina.

Latest developments

Trenitalia confirms the Leonardo Express runs non-stop between Roma Termini and Fiumicino in about 32 minutes, and the FL1 regional line connects Fiumicino with Roma Tiburtina in about 48 minutes with frequent departures. For Ciampino, the Ciampino Airlink combines a short airport bus with rail to Roma Termini. Aeroporti di Roma also lists the train operating spans for Fiumicino services. Expect crowding at station entrances near the center during assembly and dispersal windows.

Analysis

Plan airport transfers by rail to bypass street closures. For Fiumicino, board the Leonardo Express from Termini or use FL1 from Tiburtina if you are already north or east of the center. For Ciampino, use the Ciampino Airlink rather than surface taxis during rally hours. Pad at least 30 to 45 extra minutes for station entry and platform changes when rallies are active. If your hotel sits inside the historic core, walk to a Metro A or B stop outside the closures before calling a car. For broader October actions in Italy, see our ongoing strike and protest guidance, including recent advisories on station-area rallies and transport walkouts. Relevant background pieces on this site include Italy transport strikes: October protests and walkouts that could disrupt trips and Protest activity near Milan and Rome rail hubs during Italy rail strike.

Final thoughts

Large Saturday rallies near Santi Apostoli will squeeze road access through Rome's center. Use rail, allow extra time, and route to Termini or Tiburtina with flexibility. With multiple convocations scheduled, proactive planning is the best way to avoid delays linked to Rome protests on October 18.