getting from rome tiburtina to rome termini

Tiburtina is in Rome, not out in the sticks. You can get to the Spanish Steps on the Metro, you just have to change lines at, you guessed it, Termini. Otherwise, if you have a lot of luggage, just grab a cab at Tiburtina.

but unfortunately, our train ends at rome tiburtina at 1:20 pm

I wouldn't see that as "unfortunately". Every time I have a choice to go between the Freccia of Trenitalia and the lovely deep red machines of .Italo I will take the .Italo every time. The station at Tiburtina is very easy to use and very nice. The connection is not difficult.

thanks for all the replies so far everyone. i am considering the metro option, but we will have some luggage.

so sam, i am curious about the cab option. being the metro is about a half hour journey, how long is the trip via cab? and what's the cost? if its quicker than the metro, then it might be worth it for me, especially combined with the luggage issue.

I learned about the rome2rio.com website on the helpline. It might answer your question. Not sure it as comprehensive for train schedules as the train websites, but I am just beginning to use this site.

WorldTaxiMeter estimates 15 euro, and 10 minutes travel time. The other advantage is the taxi will drop you right at your hotel instead of having to pop up to street level at Spagna, getting you bearings and schlepping the bags to the hotel.

Google Maps says Tiburtina to Spanish Steps is about 6km (or 7 depending on route), 10 minutes. Add a few minutes in for traffic, but you get the general idea. Not sure what the cost would be, but if you're worried about the luggage then a cab may be worth the additional cost.