Changing trains at Roma Termini

Bill,

Yes, 15 minutes should be quite adequate for the connection, but of course don't stop for coffee.

A few additional points to mention. Depending on which train you connect with at the airport, you may be using either the Leonardo Express or the FM-1 for the trip from FCO into Rome. They depart from different tracks so you'll need to be clear on which train to board. Also, if you're buying your tickets at the airport, you MUST validate your ticket prior to boarding the train or risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!

There's no accurate way to predict which train you'll be able to connect with, as there could be flight delays, long queues in Passport control or whatever. One other important point to note is that depending on which train you use, you may be connecting either at Roma Termini (via Leonardo Express) or at Roma Tiburtina via FM-1). Therefore the connection times may vary from about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes. You'll have to "play it be ear" and adjust to the situation at the time.

Finally, the train you use from Rome to Orvieto may be a Regionale or an InterCity. If your connection is a Regionale, again you'll have to validate the ticket prior to boarding the train or risk hefty fines.

I will be taking the Leonardo Express and will purchase the ticket via the Internet before arriving in Rome.
This will give me more time and I will be able to know the exact time of arrival in Orvieto.
By purchasing a specific train ticket with the train number and time outlined, I assume I will not be required to stamp the ticket because it can not be used on any other train or time.
I assume that is correct?

That is not correct Bill.

The train departing from Fiumicino (whether the Leonardo Express or any other) is a REGIONALE. In nearly all cases the train from Roma Termini to Orvieto will also be a REGIONALE, which is like any commuter train in America. Seats are not reservable on those trains (first come first served).

It is not a good idea to prepurchase a Regionale ticket, you get no discounts on those trains. Also, regardless of the type of train one uses, there is no guarantee your flight will arrive on time, therefore you don't know if you can make the specific train you book.

Much easier to buy tickets all the way to Orvieto at the Fiumicino Airport station and validate the tickets at that station before boarding. From the moment you validate the ticket, you have 6 hours to complete the trip. Actually you have more than that, because if the ticket expires before that, as long as you are ON the train to Orvieto, you will be ok.

Bill,

As I mentioned in my earlier reply, there's no way to predict which train you'll be able to connect with as there could be flight delays or whatever. As Roberto mentioned, many of us on the forum don't recommend buying advance tickets to connect with an inbound flight, especially Regionale tickets. If one of the trains you're using is an InterCity and you miss the train you've booked, the ticket will be worthless and you'll have to buy another. Although it may cost more to buy after arrival, it's a "safer" method.

Bill, note that buying regionale tickets online will lock you into a validity period of several hours, as Roberto noted. If your flight is seriously delayed, you will need to buy a new ticket anyway.

Intercity (IC) tickets are like Freccia tickets, specific to a train with carriage/seat reservation included.

Thanks for the responses.
We will be flying into Rome from Marseille on Alitalia and it's only an hour and half (1 1/2) trip so it should'nt be to late.
I am allowing an hour and half (1 1/2) from the scheduled arrival until we take the train into Rome for the connection to Orvieto.
Where I am confused is that I have read on Rick's site and others, that if you purchase your ticket via Internet prior your the ticket has a specific date, train number, and time for departure printed on it.
If you have this type of ticket it can not be used at a different time or date; therefore, you do not need to validate it prior to boarding the train.
Am I correct on this?
Assuming that the flight will not be delayed significantly enough to make us miss the train as scheduled, getting the ticket before hand would eliminate one additional item that I will need to do upon arrival. Also the later connection would delay us arriving in Orvieto by a couple of hours.
This is the reason that I am considering getting the tickets prior to departure.

Bill, The train you take from Fiumicino to Roma Termini will be a regional train there is no point in buying it before hand as you will not save any money. If in fact you buy one online and it is for a specific time then you risk missing the train and having to buy another ticket if you have any delays. 90 minutes is not likely enough time. Given that you save no money by buying a regional ticket before the day of your travel it makes no sense to purchase one in advance. The airport train stations is small, it is not confusing. You have several choices for ticket purchase once you get there - Tabacci Shop, Trenitalia ticket office, or the ticket kiosks. All are easy to negotiate and take very little time. See roninrome.com and he walks you through step by step from plane arrival on to the train station.

Also, the train to Orvieto is most likely a Regionale train too. That ticket will also require validation before you get on the train. You can buy that at the airport ticket locations, or wait till you get to Termini, or Tiburtina, to purchase.

It is really a simple process, but would be rendered more difficult and stressful if you are worried about train connections. At least for me it would be.

Your plan to prepurchase a regionale ticket online make no sense whatsoever. Buying tickets at the airport station is as easy as buying coffee at Starbucks, except that Starbucks will take much longer.. Validating tickets is just as easy. This is the step by step instructions.
Walk from Terminal to airport station
Inside station there is a Trenitalia ticket window, buy tickets there.
Tickets are also sold at the Tobacconist's shop (Tabacchi, which have a blue sign with big T) or automatic kiosks.
Walk to platform and insert ticket in validating machine slot
Machine will date stamps ticket
Pull out stamped ticket and keep it in safe location for later check by train conductor.
Get on board train, find any free seat and sit down.
Once at Termini look board for departure platform of your train to Orvieto.
Go to that platform and get on board train to Orvieto.
Approach car exit just a few seconds before Orvieto station.
Get off train
Welcome to Orvieto.

One point to add to Roberto's detailed instructions.....

When you buy ticket for train from FCO to Rome, make note of whether you'll be using the Leonardo Express or the FM-1. Be sure to board the right train!

Also note whether your transfer will be taking place at Termini or Tiburtina.

Bill, as the others have said above, it makes no sense to try and purchase this ticket in advance. It's very likely a REGIONALE train (unless it's an Intercity) - with no carriage or seat assignments - so buy it when you get there. These are the least expensive tickets on Italian rail, and very easily purchased upon arrival at Fiumicino.

Yes, 15 minutes is plenty for a transfer. Fiumicino is not exactly known for efficiency so if you have to wait for bags and get through immigration, those are 2 good reasons not to buy tickets in advance.

No immigration if you come from France but if you get bags checked in the wait can be long at FCO. Also with air travel you are never guaranteed the plane is timely, even when the flight is just one hour long.

A point of clarification about one of the train lines from the airport into Rome. It is called the FL1 and goes to Rome's Tiburtina station, not Termini.

However, it is less expensive, departs more frequently and you can take the train from there to Orvieto. No need to go Termini.

Here is the detailed information about your choices: http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en/Services/Fiumicino-Airport

Orvieto is lovely!

A point of clarification on the previous reply. The FM1 and FR1 are in fact the same train, as described in this section on the excellent Ron In Rome website.....

"The other train option is the FR1 – often called the FM1. The FR1 or FM1, it’s the same train. The FR1 is a metropolitan service (hence the “FM” title) and it connects the Fiumicino Airport with different stations in Rome."

While it doesn't stop at Roma Termini, it does stop at other stations (which may be more convenient if for example, the desired destination is Trastevere). Again from R-I-R....

"Unlike the *Leonardo Express, it does not go to the Roma Termini station and it makes many, many stops. The FR1 does stop at the stations of Roma Trastevere, Roma Ostiense, Roma Tuscolana and Roma Tiburtina."*

Yes, Ron in Rome is good but not always up to date. He has not lived in Rome for some time and has not updated all photos/information. For example, on his site he mentions "mini" train fares which are no longer available.

The link I provided is from Trenitalia's site and has the most up to date and detailed information on the two train options from the airport, including the FL1. : )