This is our first family trip to Europe. Taking the family tour London to Florence in June and wondering if taking the train from Florence to Rome airport (FCO) on the last day to fly out is advisable. The ticket prices are slightly cheaper and there are direct flights out of Rome. I understand there is a high speed train that leaves Florence in the am and goes directly to the train station at FCO. If the train leaves before 8 am and our flight leaves around 5:30 from FCO I don't see an issue but wanted some feedback to see if anyone else has gone this route and I'm not missing something.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12061 posts
You mention a " slight" saving by flying from Rome. When you add the train cost to your flight from Rome, do you have a meaningful saving vs flying from Florence?
Other than a work stoppage by the railway workers on the day you travel, you should have sufficient time
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8361 posts
I always thought most North America flights left Rome just before noon. If you leave at 5:30, look to get into the U.S. sometime in the night.
I would want a backup method of travel that gets you into Rome to make that flight. Travel in Italy often takes longer than expected/scheduled.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32398 posts
There are numerous trains from Firenze SM Novella to Rome every day, including direct trains to Fiumicino airport at 07:38 and 11:38. The other trains require a change, at Roma Tiburtina or Roma Termini. If your flight doesn't depart until 17:30, you have lots of flexibility in terms of the time you leave Florence.
If you choose to use one of the departures that requires a change of train and you buy tickets locally, you must validate the tickets prior to boarding the train on the day of travel. That's not necessary with the express (Freccia) trains which have compulsory seat reservations.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16210 posts
The train from Florence to Rome is not free, so I wonder how much cheaper is to fly out of Rome instead of Florence.
There are plenty of trains that can get you to Rome in time for a late afternoon flight. If your flight is in the morning, then it’s safer to stay in Rome the night before.