Should I buy these tickets in advance before arrival? I'm traveling solo with three teens and like to minimize any extra things if possible. If so, what is the official website? Also, are the tickets timed? I searched the archives and it says the tickets are timed - not to buy in advance. But found other travel articles saying just buy them before arrival and show the ticket on any train. Help.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2124 posts
With about 90 trains running daily from Rome FCO into Rome, it’s best if you simply wait until after your flight lands at FCO to buy your tickets for the train. It’s true that you can save several euros by pre-buying tickets online for one of the slower trains taking 55 minutes to get into Roma Termini. But after a long flight, the faster trains taking 35 minutes are more appealing.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8346 posts
No reason to prepurchase any tickets to Rome Termini.
But whatever you do, be sure to validate the ticket in the yellow boxes before entering the train. You will be checked on the train, and fines for not validating tickets is very high.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7269 posts
Get the trenitalia app
Purchase once you land
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
The fare of the Leonardo Express from FCO to Roma Termini is always 14 Euro; the FL1 to Roma Tiburtina always costs 8 Euro. As to savings and seats availability, "When" and "how" you buy the tickets of these 2 Regionale trains makes no difference.
Since these trains can't sell out, I agree with the idea of simply purchasing via app after immigration.
Online tickets of the Leonardo Express can be used on the picked train and on any other Leonardo departing within the following 90 minutes. Arriving earlier than expected and having to wait is almost worse than being late.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7906 posts
I agree with using the app! I was in Rome a couple of times this summer and just purchased this route at the airport machine (I buy all of my others tickets ahead of time at home). Unfortunately, the last time in September, there were lines for each machine, and I was stuck behind a couple who could not agree on exactly which ticket they wanted…….. ; )
The app purchase will avoid the need to validate your paper ticket, too.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14878 posts
Since there are 4 of you the train fare of 14E each would be 56E. There is a fixed rate taxi fee from Fiumicino to Rome of 50E so it might be more cost effective to grab a cab at the taxi rank. (I did not look to see if there is a break on train fare for a teen.)
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16160 posts
Forget the train. Take a taxi.
For 4 people it is cheaper than the Leonardo Express and the taxi will drop you off in front of your hotel. If you take the train you would need the 4 train tickets plus possibly a taxi from the station to the hotel, unless your hotel is walking distance from the station.
Taxi flat rate from the airport to any location in the city center is €50. The rate is comprehensive of any supplements, including bags. Make sure the taxi doesn’t try to charge you extra for the bags, which some taxi drivers try to do.
Posted by
172 posts
We usually buy Leonardo Express tickets at the station after we land. When you pre-purchase tickets you select a specific departure time. The one time we purchased tickets online, we got through the arrival process fairly quickly and got to the Leonardo Express station earlier than expected, but we were not allowed to board an earlier train (our bar codes would not process early, and the attendant told us that we had to wait for the train that would leave for Rome at the time specified on our tickets).
One note about other posts recommending a cab for 4 people...many of the cabs there are small cars, and either may not accommodate 4 people and luggage, or the driver may refuse to take 4 people.