Hi - wondering how much time to allocate between arrival in FCO from USA (7am), getting luggage, then getting to Termini station? I was considering making reservations on a Frecce train to Venice, but don't want to "cut it too close". I have seen all kinds of estimates on how long the journey can take from landing until arrival at Termini... of course, assuming no delays in the flight :-)
Posted by
Louisville, Ky
219 posts
Best bet is to not buy this in advance. Plan to pay full fare and buy the ticket when you get to the train station.
If you buy the discount fare and you miss that train due to flight delay or slow baggage delivery, congested immigration, you will end up losing that fare and paying the full fare, walk-up cost anyway.
Posted by
Chicago
8244 posts
Gamble if the price is right and book the train in advance for Venice to leave after 11am
What do you have to lose?
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
What you have to lose is the money spent on the tickets. It depends on how much of a gambler you are.
Posted by
OP
Grapevine, Texas
27 posts
Thank you - one thing I may have assumed is this: I must pre-purchase tickets. It seems like that is appropriate for discount fares, but I could walk up and purchase a Frecce train ticket at the station if I want to pay full fare and not gamble.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
There is one FrecciaArgento train that originates at the airport station (FIUMICINO AEROPORTO) and requires no changes. It departs at 11:08.
All other options in the morning, require a change at Roma Tiburtina (no need to go to Termini with the Leonardo Express, since all Freccia trains to Venice now stop at Tiburtina).
If you pre purchase a SuperEconomy ticket in second class it is as low as 39.90 euro.
The full walk up price (called "Base" fare) in 2nd class is 94 euro.
So potentially it's a large discount (almost 60% discount).
As mentioned above, the discounted tickets (supereconomy or economy) cannot be changed or refunded, so there is a risk. If you book the 11:08 train (or later, if you change at Tiburtina), four hours should be enough time in most circumstances. However when you fly those distances, there are occasional snafus that can cause major delays or even flight cancellations. Not frequent, but it happens.
We gave you the facts, you decide. Here is the website:
www.trenitalia.com
Station names:
FIUMICINO AEROPORTO
VENEZIA SANTA LUCIA
Posted by
OP
Grapevine, Texas
27 posts
Great info - thanks to all!
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1175 posts
Can you do carry on ?
At FCO last June, our luggage did not arrive for 1 1/2 hours ! We have never waited that long before, but it caused us to miss the last train from Termini into Florence. So, things can go extremely wrong....though we were stuck in the Eternal City...not bad at all !
Posted by
OP
Grapevine, Texas
27 posts
I could do carry on, but my wife, not so much.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
I think I like her! Luggage is one delay, but there are so many others.