Do you recommend booking Rome to Florence ahead of time if traveling in June? I would like to maintain some flexibility, but prefer to not grossly over pay for a ticket. If II’m correct, the travel time is 90 min.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32392 posts
Sunshine,
With the express trains you’ll have to make a choice between flexibility and price. While advance purchase tickets can save you some money, they’re non refundable and non changeable once purchased.
Tickets are specific to train, date and departure time so can only be used on the ONE train listed on the ticket. If you board any other train, you’ll be subject to hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
Picking a random June day (the 14th), Trenitala prices are 27.90 EUR for a nonrefundable Super Economy ticket vs 50 EUR for a Base (anytime) ticket. Is 22.10 EUR grossly overpriced? Your choice.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8359 posts
After you get into town, just run by Rome Termini and purchase the tickets at the ticket office. With the fast trains, you'll have to have a reservation anyway. One stop and you'll know exactly when the train leaves.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32392 posts
Sunshine,
One other point to mention is that it's important to know which specific stations you'll be using. Most cities in Europe have more than one. For the trip you mentioned, you'll be using Roma Termini and Firenze S.M. Novella. Your tickets will include the compulsory seat reservations. Be sure to note the Carrozza (coach no.) and Posti (seat no's.) listed on the ticket.
If flexibility is most important, you can easily buy tickets the day before or on the day of travel. However you'll be paying Base Fare which is the highest price tier. Your choice.....
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Discounted fares are available up until the day before departure, provided they haven't sold out which often happens weeks in advance. Discounts are not available day of departure. If a day or 2 in advance gives you enough flexibilty, you could check online for discounted tickets and if available stop at the station and buy them. Italo sometimes has discounted tickets available after Trenitalia has sold out. There's also an app some people use to buy their tickets (don't recall the name), which would save you from having to go to the station. You of course would need an active smartphone to use to app. And yes, the high-speed trains from Roma Termini to Firenze SMN take about 90 minutes.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
68 posts
If you are arriving at Fiumicino and training to Florence, and tempted (as I have been) to save a few bucks by booking in advance, it’s not worth it. A flight delay will leave you holding a worthless ticket and booking a later train to account for delays could have you wasting time at Termini. So, unless you will be in Rome at least a day or two before your train to Florence, do not buy in advance.