It's @ 35-45 minutes from the airport to the center of the city in Rome and 1 1/2 hours from Rome to Cevitavecchia(the port for Rome). Don't know of any hotels that provide transport. The fares for private transport are quite high - like $250 to the port. That's why we use RSSC air. They provide the transfers. I wouldn't bother even doing 1 night in Rome. We did the RSSC 3 night package at the De La Ville Intercontinental and it gave us a full three days, as well as a guided limo tour of Rome. If you're only coming in a day early you might want to try for a hotel near the port and forget Rome, or just stay at the Hilton at the airport and work Rome from there. If you want to do Rome I'd plan on at least 2 days. Don't even think about using public transportation with luggage. In Rome the Intercontinental, Excelsior, Hasler, Bernini and Eden are centrally located, so that you can walk almost anywhere. We did all the sights in Rome, including the Vatican, walking from the Intercontinental at the top of the Spanish Steps. I was 70 at the time. Keep in mind that Rome is a very expensive city.