Flying in Italy

Make sure you take all costs into account. Ryanair's lowest 99 cent Euro fare from Rome-Ciampino totals about 32 Euro, all in. If you check a bag, add another 12 Euro. Add to that the price of taking the bus from central Rome to Ciampino airport (8 Euro...altho I notice a sale on, for 4 Euro), then getting from Venice Treviso airport (which actually isn't in Venice) to the city (5 Euro). So you're actually paying anywhere from 41-57 Euro and spending at least 4 1/2 hours from downtown Rome to downtown Venice. By train, you can get a walk-up second class fare of 62 Euro for a 4 1/2 hour journey, downtown to (almost) downtown. Depending on when you travel, you may also be able to grab a 15% discount off that, if any of those sale seats are still available when you arrive in Rome...that brings the cost down to 55 Euro. So yes, it's do-able...but with security and check-in hassles at the airport, extra baggage fees, and bus rides at either end, the savings may not be worth it.

Thanks for the prompt reply Norm. We were thinking of using EasyJet and carrying small bags that require no checking.
Are train seats to Venice pretty much always available without reservations?

Yes. With the hassle of airline line, even more so with the discount airline, I would opt for the train even it was slightly more expensive. The comfort and convenience is worth a couple extra bucks.

Norm's right...and seats are available.....and then there's the scenery...would you prefer to see 4 hours of the Italian countryside, or the inside of a crowded plane.

For a few Euro's more....I'd take the train.

I agree with the consensus. The train is usually more enjoyable than dealing with the hassle of a flight.

It is indeed 61.80Euro from Rome to Venice on the Eurostar. Fares have gone up recently. But, its city center to city center in 4.5hrs. You won't accomplish that on the plane. Plus, you will need to be at FCO at least 90 minutes early for your local flight. Add 90 minutes to the 40 minutes or so on the Leonardo and you are already past Florence and approaching Bologna on the train.

I don't know what your plane fare is but you'll pay 11Euro on the Leondard Express to get to Rome FCO and 3Euro on the bus into the Piazzale Roma from Venice-Marco Polo. That's 14Euro on top of your plane ticket. You're airfare could still be less expensive but I wouldn't rule out the train. It's really fast and efficient on the Eurostar.

Also, if you can book your tickets in advance you can save up to 60% on the Rome-Venice line on certain types of trains. Ron in Rome has a good explanation of the new discounts here.

The hassle of getting your card verified for use on the Trenitalia website may well be worth the savings! I have priced out some 28 euro tickets on the fast train from Venice to Rome with the Super 60 discount!