We will be arriving in Rome at noon on Friday, September 5, 2014 and leaving early Sunday morning, September 21. Do we need to make reservations for the Leonardo Express Train to and from the airport, or are there usually enough seats? We will be on a tight schedule to make train connections at Roma Termini when we arrive at the station on Sept 5.
Posted by
OP
Houston, Texas, USA
61 posts
I just found out that the first train from Roma Termini leaves at 5:52am. This will not get us to the airport on time. We will have to find another form of transportation on September 21.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
There are no seat reservations for the Express train. If there are seats available you can have one, if not, you stand or wait for the next train. You cannot make a reservation for this train. Just buy your tickets when you get to the station. Be sure to validate it before getting on the train. As for the return trip, just book a private transfer with a private company like www.romecabs.com or romeshuttlelimousine.com.
I would not recommend booking any train tickets for the day of arrival, especially anything that is a "tight schedule". If your plane is late you will miss your train and then (if you bought reduced fare tickets) your tickets will be worthless. Just buy them when you land. The people at the counter will sell you tickets with connections you can easily make.
Donna
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
How early is your September 21 flight, and where is it to? Most of the very early flights from Rome are to other European airports, so you do not need to be there 3 hours early like you do for flights going nonstop back to the US.
If you do want to take the Leonardo Express, there are no reservations possible. Just buy your ticket, validate it, then get on. If there are no available seats, you stand.
A taxi between the airport and central Rome is fixed at €48, plus some small fees for bags in the trunk, etc. If you really need to get to the airport early, that's the way to go (particularly for more than one person). At an early hour when there's no traffic, it only takes about a half hour.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Carol,
As the others have mentioned, it's not possible to make reservations on the Leonardo Express nor would it be a good idea to do so on arrival day as your flight could be late. You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Ron In Rome website as there's lots of information there on getting back and forth from the airport (and lots of other stuff).
Buy your tickets at the airport station, either from a Kiosk or staffed ticket window. Note that there are two trains serving the airport, the L.E. and the FM1 so be sure to board the correct train. Also as mentioned, as the L.E. is a Regionale Veloce you MUST validate your tickets prior to boarding the train or risk a hefty fine which will be collected on the spot!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23671 posts
You might tell us what your actual schedule is. Might be able to make better recommendation.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
When I need a taxi early in the morning, I ask the hotel receptionist to reserve one the night before. Has never failed.