Lucca to Rome

Sam,
You can certainly buy your tickets on the day of travel, however, you’re likely to pay more than if you booked your tickets in advance, especially if your journey envolves taking a freccia (high speed) or Intercity train.

You’d buy tickets from Lucca to Rome (Roma Termini), and you will get two tickets, one for Lucca to Florence segment of the journey, and one for Florence to Rome.

If buying Regionale tickets at the station, you’ll need to validate them (date/time stamp) in the machines prior to boarding the train, to avoid hefty fines.
If you book your tickets online, there’s no need to validate them since they’re already validated.

If you want to travel only on Regionale trains, the journey will take over 5 hours
vs 3 hours traveling on freccia train (Florence to Rome)

Check train schedules on Trenitalia.com to get an idea of travel times, fares, and transfer times.

Enjoy your trip!

Edited to add:

FYI, if you choose to travel via Regionale/ Regionale Veloce trains you may need to change trains in Pisa, not in Florence.

The big differences is time and cost.

The regional train + intercity or regional velocity will take about 5 hours and cost €26,45.
These need to be validated before you get on each train.
The regional + fast train takes 3 hours. With a base price of €57,80. Only the regional needs to be validated. On the he fast train you will have an assigned car and seat. If you purchased early this price could be much lower.

For schedules look at https://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en
Use Italian names: Lucca- Roma Termini.
To see intermediate stops hit info.

Ok, if I understand correctly, I can purchase a regional ticket to Lucca, same-day, and to get from Florence to Rome in 3 hours, I can purchase the fast train, either same-day or in advance.

If we purchase in advance, how far in advance should we purchase that ticket? Also, I guess we are bound by a specific train time leaving Florence, so we should plan on getting to the Florence early so we do not miss it.

Also, can we purchase online via the Trenitalia website and then they e-mail us tickets to be scanned? I am not clear about the logistics of purchasing tickets in advance. I was finally able to register on the iPhone app; is this the best way to purchase tix?

Thanks,
Sam

Sam,

If we purchase in advance, how far in advance should we purchase that ticket? Also, I guess we are bound by a specific train time leaving Florence, so we should plan on getting to the Florence early so we do not miss it.

• You can book your tickets up to 120 days in advance, for best
  savings.

• You don't need to register on the trenitalia website to book your
  tickets.

• When booking online, you'll receive an email confirmation and you can print your tickets.

• You can buy tickets from Lucca to Rome on one transaction, no need to buy separate tickets to Florence. Choose a convenient time for departure, and then check the transfer time; there's usually ample time to transfer trains.

• Check this invaluable website for more detailed information about train travel in Italy (and elsewhere): www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm

Hope this helps! : )

Edited to add:
It looks like you edited your reply when I was writing.

If you were able to register on the Trenitalia App, then you can book your tickets and keep them on your iPhone.

I booked my tickets online, then I printed them, and was also able to view my tickets on my iPhone. When the train inspector comes around checking for tickets, you can show him/ her your tickets on your iPhone, or the printed tickets. I always like to print my tickets just in case something goes wrong with my phone.

Like Priscilla I too am redundant about tickets.
I know they're in my phone, but love to have a paper backup.

There will be an update on ticket schedules around the first week in June. You will not be able to book until the schedule change. If you know the day of the week you'd be traveling, just pick the same day next week for the timetable. It usually doesn't change much.

There are lots of departures available with a connection in Florence to a fast FrecciaRossa train, total travel time 3h10m - 3h30m.

There are also trains running closer to the coast (some sea view but not the whole route) with a single connection at Pisa, not traveling via Florence. Those take 3h50m with a leg by FrecciaBianca, 4h20m with a leg by InterCity, or 5h06m with both legs by Regional trains, with a small price variation depending on the speed of the train, as well as another variable depending on when and whether you snag an advance-discounted fare.

Bottom line, whenever you feel ready to purchase, you should have many choices, and Trenitalia will spell out the lowest available fare for each. If you see the word "Ticketless," then you don't even have to print out the online ticket - just know the booking number.

While purchasing far ahead saves you something, even just buying a week ahead will get you tickets for 25 to 35 euro one way. As Laura mentioned, there are two routes from Lucca to Rome, on Trenitalia, rather than choosing Roma Termini as your destination, choose Roma (tutti le Stazione) or "all stations". Trains that go through Florence use the high speed trains to Rome, more restrictive; the ones that change in Pisa use intercity trains and wind up at Roma Ostiense, a bit more time flexibility. Take a look at schedules and costs, pick what works for you.