How reliable are the Metro?

I would never buy a train ticket from Rome to Pisa in advance and would rather take a regional train which are not so costly and which allow you to enjoy tje wonderful.scenery along the Italian coast.
Moreover Frecciarossa is worth it and Frecciabianca does not make you gain so much time.
Metro in Rome are usually in time and do function well. However, one or two minutes late could happen.

Platforms numbers are stated on big boards in the station

You'll want to be at the termini station at least 15-20 minutes before your train is scheduled to leave so leave you hotel/apartment at least an hour before your train trip. You have about 6 stops to get to the termini and should allow for at least 3 minutes per stop so giving yourself a half hour for the actual journey should be fine. The metro trains are usually on time and run frequently.

Your train tickets for the high speed trains won't have a platform listed. You'll need to look at the arrivals boards once you get to the station to see where the train is pulling in. This will usually be about 15 minutes prior to departure. This is plenty of time to see which platform and then get there.

There are no boarding passes. Just be sure to bring a print out of your confirmation email with you to show to the conductor when they come around. If you don't have it with you you'll be heavily fined on the spot for riding without a ticket.

Donna

The OP does not need an actual printout of the electronic ticket, what is needed is the PNR code and the parameters for finding his place (train number, date of departure, car and place number). - As long as you are sitting in your place and can give the conductor your PNR code, it does not matter the support you are using: a printout, your cell phone, a SMS message are all good. The CP code is needed only if you have to change your reservation (if you are allowed to).

In my experience, online mileage estimates are optimistic. Allow more time, as suggested previously. For example, that one minute walk from the metro to aroma Termini will take closer to five minutes, with luggage. The three minutes from your lodging means you are on the street at 5:41; again, how quickly you maneuver with luggage will determine time (unless this is a daytrip and you are not carrying luggage).

Sandra,

The street location you provided is not really that far from Termini. My suggestion would be to forget the Metro and ask your Hotel to pre-book a Taxi to Roma Termini (especially at that time of the morning). That's a dreadful time of the morning to be travelling. Is there a reason you chose such an early train?

As you'll be leaving before the breakfast at your hotel, you could ask them if they'd be willing to prepare a "bag lunch" for the trip. There are lots of food joints at Termini, so you could also pick up a Panini and beverage for the trip. The Freccia trains usually have a food cart, but the sandwiches are somewhat mediocre and the coffee is cr@p (in most cases). There may be a dining car, but food there will likely be more expensive than at Termini.

When you arrive at Roma Termini, check the electronic sign board for the track no. (Binario, abbreviated "BIN") of FrecciaBianca 9758. You may find it helpful to have a look at THIS short video. At about the 1M:50S mark, it describes finding the right train. Your ticket will specify your reserved Car No. (Carrozza) and Seat No.'s (Posti), and that's where you must sit. Larger luggage items go on the racks at the end of the coach, but keep smaller items with you (especially those with valuables). Be sure to watch any luggage that you placed on the rack to make sure it doesn't "disappear".

Since this is your first trip to Italy, one other important point to mention is that if you use any Regionale trains, Buses, Metro or other forms of public transit, you MUST validate your tickets prior to boarding on the day of travel or risk hefty fines. You don't need to validate your Freccia tickets, since those come with reservations which are specific to train, date and departure time and can ONLY be used on the ONE train listed on the ticket. If you board the wrong train, again hefty fines are possible!

Ken, the Furio Camillo metro stop is not that close to Termini (I have family that lives just past the next stop). But I agree, arranging the night before for a taxi would be a better option.

There may not be many food/drink options at Termini before 6am.

Asps is correct, you don't need the actual print out of the confirmation but you are required to have the PNR number available. If you don't have that with you or cannot access it you'll be heavily fined. You don't need a boarding pass of any sort. I prefer to print out my train information and take it with me so that I am sure of which train, carriage and seat I am using, which is why I suggested printing out the confirmation.

Donna

I think any kind of public transportation can be good and bad in Italy. Depends on the day and who is striking, so I would suggest that you have as many options as possible and you may get delayed and not get there on the day you want. Or you may flawlessly make your whole trip without any problems. Just don't have huge expectations.

I agree with trying to precook a taxi and going that route to Termini. Taxis are just not very expensive in Rome and it will save a lot of hassle. Don't count on food in the train station - I don't think anything will be open!

Cafe Vyta opens at 5:30 AM weekdays, 6:00 AM weekends. Great place to grab pastries, panini, coffee.