Need advice about changing booked tickets for Rome's FCO Leonardo Express

You should assume that the tickets are valid for the time stated on them, unless an agent at the train station confirms that you can take a later train. To avoid duplication, regional tickets purchased online are more restrictive than those purchased in the station for the same price. From Trenitalia's shopping cart:

"Electronic regional tickets are issued already validated. You can not anticipate the departure, you can not change the ticket and the ticket is not refundable. Tickets are nominative and associated to passenger's name and surname inserted in the passengers details. Electronic regional tickets must be shown together with a valid identity document, when requested by a staff member. Before departure print the PDF attached to the purchase email or show it on the screen of an electronic device (PC, tablet, smartphone) able to properly display it."

While I can't quite parse the meaning of their "anticipate," but it probably means that you can't take an earlier train.

You usually cannot see track assignments in advance for Italian trains, but the info should be easy to find upon arrival in the train station.

Do I understand correctly that you purchased Leonardo Express tickets on-line? That is never recommended. And absolutely no reason to do so. But since it is not a discounted ticket, I would assume that it would be exchangeable at the ticket office. Ask, if not you are stuck or just buy new tickets. All Leonardo Express purchased at the ticket office or tobacco shop are considered open tickets that can be used at anytime so it is critical that you validate (time stamp) the ticket prior to boarding. However, 17 minutes should be adequate if you walk fast. Platforms change all the time, just like airport gates, so even if you thought you knew in advance, it is subject to change.

Laura is citing the regulations around Regionale train tickets purchased on line. Again, NEVER recommended. I don't think these rules necessarily apply to LE since it is not a Regionale train. In fact, I thought the LE was a private line. I was unaware you could even purchase LE on line.

PS Ok, now I know you can actually purchase on line. BUT, again, that is not recommend. See if this site will help you. It says you can manage your ticket on this site -- http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=dd1eeb82a8fbf310VgnVCM1000008916f90aRCRD

If you could get a refund. Do it and buy when you get to the train station.

You are not giving us all the info. Could you confirm what I presume are your travel plans below?

You arrive at Roma Termini with the Regionale Veloce Leonardo Express 3285 at 13:40
Therefore you are scheduled to arrive at track no. 23.
You depart from Roma Termini with Freccia Bianca 9774 at 13:57 with destination Genova PP (are you going to the Cinque Terre?)..
If that is the train, it is scheduled to depart from track 22.
Therefore, unless there are last minute track changes, both are on the same platform. You just have to get off one train and get on the other train across the platform, a distance of 15 feet.
Even if there are track changes, it won't be too far. Leonardo Express uses only track 23 and 24. The Genoa train has to stay on the high number tracks (over 20) on the right side of the station (facing the tracks) because of technical reasons I don't need to bore you with. As such, even in the event of a track change, you still have a short distance to walk. Your strategy should be, when you are at the Fiumicino Airport station, to walk as far as possible to the "Testata" (Head) of the train, i.e. in front as you depart from that station. That will put you as close as possible to the head of the track when you arrive into Termini. That will make it easier to go to the end of the platform and select the platform you will be departing from.
The Freccia Bianca 9774 however originates in Rome (i.e. it's not coming from somewhere else, like Naples) as such the probability of a track change for that train is very slim. That train will be sitting there waiting for you to board at least 20-30 min prior to departure. I doubt the Leonardo Express would have a track change. If it does, i.e. if it arrives at track 24 instead of 23, then you will need to walk to the head of the train and loop around to the platform for track 22 (which is the same platform for track 23).
So, to make a long story short, go to the front of the train at Fiumicino (maybe the 1st car) and you'll be fine no matter what.

(I "served and protected" at Florence Santa Maria Novella in youth, so I know a lot about trains and stations)

And for anyone else who is reading this thread, this is why you should never by Leonardo Express tickets in advance. It's not as if there's a discount.

adbx,

I agree with Roberto that some additional information would be helpful. I also agree (as most others here) that it's not advisable to buy Regionale tickets online**especially to connect with an inbound flight. It appears that you'll be wasting almost three hours at the airport before boarding the 32 minute Leonardo Express to Roma Termini.

If I'm reading correctly, you're asking if you can board an earlier L.E. to get to Termini earlier? I don't know if your ticket is pre-validated for a specific time, so you'll need to speak with a ticket agent at the airport rail station to clarify that. If you're not able to change them, my suggestion would be to just buy new tickets at €14 PP and take the next L.E. to Termini. One important point though - BE SURE to validate the tickets prior to boarding the train, or you'll face hefty fines (starting at €50 PP) which will be collected on the spot!!!

" I've read online that L.E. arrives on a distant track which may take a xc runner to make a departure on the farther tracks."

The Leonardo Express used to arrive on one of the far tracks (25 / 26), but even so it was only about a 5-7 minute walk to the head of the platform, so hardly a problem. As Roberto mentioned, the L.E. now uses Track (Binario) 23 / 24 so you won't have to deal with that walk. You may find it helpful to have a look at THIS diagram of Termini (choose "Platform Level").

If the other train you'll be using is a Freccia or InterCity, note that the tickets and compulsory seat reservations for that are specific to train, date and departure time, and can NOT be used on any other train. If you're caught without valid seat reservations for the train you're riding on, again hefty fines collected on the spot!

As you'll have a wait in any case for your pre-booked train going north, IMHO it will be an easier wait at Termini than at FCO. There are lots of restaurants there so you can stop for a meal while waiting for your next train. If you want more of a "sit down meal", have at look at the Roadhouse Grill (although you can also sit at McDonalds if desired). You could also have a bit of a walkabout in the neighborhood around the station (although you'll be hauling luggage so you probably won't want to go far).

Some people stubbornly maintain that the LE arrives at a distant track; it used to, but now uses Binario 24 (perhaps sometimes 23), Roma Termini is a railhead (terminus), so you get off one train and all other trains will be departing from your right. Check the electronic board for departure time (note the column for delays) and binario number and off you go. Seventeen minutes should be plenty of time if the LE is on time (almost always is) and you are not overburdened with luggage.

Trenitalia has an app that can give you information on departures. The LE doesn't have reserved seats so I don't think you are obligated to take the 13:08 train.

"Trenitalia has an app that can give you information on departures."

AFAIK the Pronto Treno (Trenitalia) app is only available in the Italian and U.K. Apple stores, so not available to those of us that use iPhones in this part of the world (I know as I've tried). I haven't checked on whether this is available as an Android app.

There's another App called Orario Treni (developer Paolo Conte) that seems to be excellent, but it only appears to be available as an Android app. The developer has indicated that an iPhone version is not currently in development, and he doesn't know whether that will happen in future.

To obtain information on train schedules, an App called Info Treni seems to work well, as does the Deutsche Bahn App. Regarding Info Treni, the basic version is no longer being supported, but there's now a "Pro" version which is supported.

adbx,

If you could post the information printed on your Leonardo Express tickets here (even in Italian), it may be possible to determine what conditions are applicable and give you a more definite answer.

Thanks, Ken. I have it on my Italian phone but rarely use it.

Thank you all for your responses, tips & details. If only I knew of this website prior to planning & booking.

You each make valid points, possibly after experiencing travel or being familiar to the area. As a new traveler this is not as intuitive as some comments allude to. I was concerned there could be more people than available seats in the train cars. So I figured it would be much safer to have pre booked tickets. Since Trenitalia offered these tickets it reinforced that idea. An acquaintance suggested we allow 2 hours for bags & customs. While searching for trains from noon on, there were a few visible but not accessible to book, the first it allowed was 13:08. I figured the prior trains were already booked which reinforcing my thoughts on needing pre booked tickets. I tend to lean towards “plan for the worst, hope for the best”. Future note to self, never buy L.E. or regionale tickets ahead of time.

I agree, Laura. It is not clear, but I read “anticipate” as meaning there may be delays they cannot foresee so depart could be later.

Frank, I will try the tobacco shop or ticket office. I wrote a note in red on the tickets to be sure to validate them! The web has contradicting details about assigned tracks (from 2008), to more recent statements of updated tracks #. I’ll be aware of changing platforms. Thank you.

Roberto – Yes you figured out exactly which trains, but only as far as Pisa. Are you a physic or do you have a current & accurate website that you refer to about platforms? Would you share? My plan is to be at the front of L.E. You’ve eased my mind.

Ken – You did read correctly. I’m hoping to get on an earlier L.E. train so not to be in a rush in what seems to be a large & definitely unfamiliar train station. All our train tickets have exact time on them. Since we should have excess time at FCO I now plan speaking to an agent there. Next on my to do list was to find a map of the terminal & you’ve helped there. During the online purchase process I was asked to designate seats for second train so we are cover there. Do you recommend station food options over what the train might offer, maybe better selection & price? Thanks very much. Also, do you know if the Orario Treni or Info Treni Pro are available outside Italy?
The L.E. ticket reads as follows: valid for 1 hrs 30 min from 13:08. Departure time: 13:08, from Fiumicino Aeroporto to Roma Termini. You just helped answer the big question. There are 2” of fine print, the 2nd to bottom lines states “It is not possible to bring the departure forward”. That mystery is solved.

Zoe – Good to know there are electronic boards with details. I do plan on packing light to keep our transfers easier.

If I learn any helpful details, I will post a follow up after the trip.