Italian transportation - planes, trains, and automobiles

I used Uber in Rome with no problem at all, plenty of regular cabs were available as well. Pricing was pretty much what you would run into in any city in my opinion.

I don't like to have everything scheduled either, and I found booking train tickets at the stations was very easy. I went in April of last year so the timing is similar. Hope that is helpful!

Second, it seems the best idea is to prebook our train travel in Italy
(from Rome to Naples, Naples to Florence, Florence to Rome) on the
trenitalia website.

Steph, check ticket prices on Italotreno as well? It's a private rail company that services an assortment of larger Italian cities (all three of those you've listed) and offers competitive rates and nice trains. Your trip is coming up soon enough that I'm not sure what will be left for trenitalia super-economy or Italo low-cost tickets but at least take a look? Saving $$ to spend on gelato is good, eh? Do be aware that while these tickets are bargain priced, they're also non-refundable and non-changeable.

http://www.italotreno.it/en

No, you don't have to pre-book the Leonardo Express train to Fiumicino. :O)

http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en/Services/Fiumicino-Airport

With hotels already booked I've never seen the advance reservation of trains as a problem, and certainly not with the often huge discounts it comes with. And the process on Trenitalia is easy and reliable.
There is no need for reservation of the Leonardo Express from Termini to Fiumicino.

Look at the rates available now to decide whether any available cost saving is worth the reduced flexibility. The best rates go on sale about four months in advance. Trenitalia's "Base" or Italo's "Flex" rates are shown on quite clear option charts and are the maximum price you'd pay in the station for each seating area of the train - assuming space available, which is a fairly safe assumption.

A cab between Fiumicino Airport and central Rome costs a fixed rate of 48 euros for up to four people with normal-sized luggage.

Stephanie,

Given the short time until your trip, I'm not sure that buying advance train tickets will save you much money. Discounts are only possible on the express trains such as the Freccia and Intercity trains. With Regionale trains, there's no difference in price whether you buy now or when you arrive in Italy. If you're willing to commit to specific departure times, you could check the Trenitalia website to see if there are any Super Economy or Economy tickets still available on the days and times you'll be travelling.

For two people, it may be less expensive to use the Leonardo Express from FCO to Roma Termini (the cost is €14 PP), and then a Taxi from Termini to your apartment. There's a Taxi rank in front of the station, so you won't have any trouble finding a Cab. Note that the airport is served by both the Leonardo Express and the FM/FR1 trains, so BE SURE to board the correct train.

If you haven't travelled in Italy before, a couple of points to mention regarding trains and other public transit.....

• Locally purchased Regionale tickets (or Bus / Metro tickets) must be validated (time & date stamp) prior to boarding the train on the day of travel. Do NOT validate before you use them as they have a "shelf life" once validated.
• Tickets for the express trains (Freccia, Intercity) have compulsory seat reservations which are specific to train, date and departure time, so the tickets can ONLY be used on the one train listed on the ticket.
• Failure to validate Regionale tickets, or boarding the wrong express train can result in hefty fines, which are collected on the spot!

On the longer routes that you mentioned, you'll be travelling on high speed trains which run at up to 300 km/h. Both Trenitalia and Italo Treno operate those routes, so shop around for the best prices.

If you wish to buy advance tickets, you can either use the rail network websites or www.trainline.eu.

Buon Viaggio!

Transport from Fiumicino to Campo de' Fiori
Definitely take a taxi directly from the airport (48 euro flat regulated fee). Taxi stands are in front of each terminal.
Train plus taxi from the station would be more for 2+ people.
Only Uber Black (a luxury black limo service driven by professional licensed limo drivers) is permitted by law in Italy. The Uber service driven by unlicensed individuals is illegal in Italy. If you choose Uber Black the price will be a bit more expensive than the taxi, albeit you will be on a luxury Mercedes type vehicle.

Trains:
I still see SuperEconomy and Economy tickets available for April.
Supereconomy fare provides about 35% discount over the Base fare
Economy fare provides about 25% discount over the Base fare
Both have severe restrictions on your ability to make changes or getting refunds in case you decide to change plans. Basically the SuperEconomy fare ticket becomes worthless if you don't take the train that you originally book.
Base fare can be purchased at any time, even at the station just minutes before departure. Trains very rarely sell out all seats. Occasionally they sell out the 2nd class (aka Standard Class) seats on a train, but you can rest assured they'll be available on the next train half hour or one hour later.

Stadio Olimpico
3 choices by public transit:
Metro A (Red Line), get off at "Flaminio" station, then tramway no. 2 and get off at end of the line on Piazza Mancini;
Metro A (Red Line), get off at "Lepanto" station, then bus no. 280 to Piazza Mancini;
Metro A (Red Line), get off at "Ottaviano" station, then bus no. 32 to Piazza della Farnesina;

Train back to Fiumicino (Leonardo Express)
No pre-booking. Stamp the ticket before boarding, then find a seat or stand. For 3 people the taxi is just as cheap (the train is 15 euro p.p.).
3 hours prior to departure, is not necessary. US based airlines have moved back to T3 I think, therefore it takes less time than before from T5. Arriving at the check-in 2 and 1/2 hours prior to departure is more than sufficient and you will still have time to kill at the coffee bar for breakfast.

I seem to remember that we hired a limo service to pick us up at the airport, but probably just taking a cab would be just as cheap or cheaper. I feel increasingly that it is best to take a cab from the airport to a hotel or apt. since you are likely to be jet-lagged. It's much easier to cope with a first day when you don't have to fret over finding public transportation (unless you know a city well, of course!)

If buying train tickets at the machines at Roma Termini, do not be unnerved by the touts/hawkers who might step over into your space and offer to 'help' you with your purchase. Happened both times we were there recently, with multiple people coming up while you're trying to understand the correct next step at the machine. They're hoping that you'll tip them for needless advice. Politely shoo them away and you'll be fine.