Plane vs Train - Rome to Venice

This is the train schedule pattern at 11:57, 12:57, and 13:57. Then, at 15:08, there is a direct train (arriving 19:35). The benefit of the train is that it's not likely to fill up, and there's no deadline for buying a ticket, so you can just buy a ticket for the next train leaving, even if your flight is delayed.

Fiumicino Aeroporto Su, 20.03.16 dep 11:57 R 22047 Regional train (Direction: Fara Sabina-Montelibretti)
Roma Tiburtina Su, 20.03.16 arr 12:45

Transfer time 15 min.

Roma Tiburtina Su, 20.03.16 dep 13:00 ES 9426 EuroStar Italia (Direction: Venezia Santa Lucia)
Subject to compulsory reservation (before boarding)
Venezia Santa Lucia Su, 20.03.16 arr 16:35

While a connecting flight on your trans-Atlantic carrier would have been a fine choice, there is a risk of losing your ticket if you miss a flight on a separate carrier. Of course, if that happens, the train option still remains.

You've discovered the benefits of traveling "open jaw" or "multiple destinations" as it's known on a lot of the airline websites. I'm assuming you were locked into flying into and out of the same city, perhaps due to using frequent flier miles. The main drawback to trying to fly on from Rome to Venice would be that you would not be flying on the same ticket, so if your arriving flight in Rome is late and you miss your flight to Venice, there's nothing you can do.

I think the train would be a safer option, especially since Trenitalia now does a direct train from Fiumicino to Venezia Santa Lucia (the Venice train station that you would want). But it's not a big deal to switch trains at either Termini or Tiburtina stations in Rome. Pretty much any train is going to take you between 4 1/2 and 5 hours to get to Venice. As suggested, wait until you arrive at FCO to get your train tickets.

Do the RS Travel Booking Agents not share this advice with travelers when the tour is booked? Do they tell you "don't fly into a different city (Rome) than your tour beginning city (Venice) on the day before"? Do they not explain these very things that your flight into Rome might be delayed - could even be delayed until the next day if you happen to be in one of those situations where and entire plane is delayed and misses the connection into Rome and everyone on the flight is scrambling to get on the last available plane with 2 open seats destined for Rome?

Sounds like that advice should definitely be given - if it's not already. You should never fly into an airport and expect to fly out of that airport on the same day on a different carrier to a different destination...never never never. At least not in today's traveling environment where planes are packed to the hilt and routinely overbooked.

I've never taken a RS tour so don't know what advice is given, but I will bet a lot of people fly into a different city--- but probably earlier than the day before, so they have time to explore and/or rest and get over jet lag.

They already have their tickets so it is kind of late to tell them they made a mistake. I think the kindest thing is to help them make the best of the situation.

I don't see how flying will take you there much earlier than the train. You still need to give yourself at least 2 hours of layover even if you fly on one ticket with an airline partnered with the one you are using for your transatlantic flight. You need to give yourself even much more time if you are flying with a separate ticket on a low cost airline, because you need to retrieve the baggage, go to the domestic terminal T1, then go thru the check in process again. I wouldn't buy a separate ticket with less than 4+ hour layover built into it. Also the flight might be only 1h10min, but the Venice airport is not in the city like the train station is, it's in Tessera, on the mainland. You need at least another hour from the airport to your hotel in Venice.

sharon,

As the others have mentioned, this is exactly why open-jaw flights are usually the best option.

There are indeed pros and cons to each situation, but given the fact that your flight should (hopefully) arrive reasonably early, IMO the train would be the best option. If you fly from Rome to Venice, these are some of the issues you may have to deal with.....

• As you're not using code share flights, you'll have to retrieve your checked luggage and recheck it for the next flight.
• You may have to change Terminals, depending on which ones are used by your arriving and departing airlines and go through security again.
• You may face different luggage regulations on the flight to Venice, both with checked and carry-on luggage. There will likely be some extra charges to contend with.
• There could be a long waiting time between your arrival flight and the departure of your next flight. I know from experience that long layovers are NOT pleasant, especially in a jet lagged state.
• If your flight from the U.S. is late and you miss your flight to Venice, that's going to be a major headache and will delay your arrival in Venice.

Taking the train will be a much more relaxing and pleasant experience, especially after a long international flight. You may be able to take a "power nap" along the way (but be sure to keep an eye on your luggage). If your flight arrives at the scheduled time, you should be able to connect with a 12:57 departure from FCO at arriving Venezia Santa Lucia at 17:35 (time 4H:38M, one change at Roma Tiburtina). There's an earlier departure at 11:57, but I really doubt you'll be able to connect with that one.

If you decide to use the train, a couple of important points to note....

• there are two rail networks from FCO into Rome, the Leonardo Express and the FM-1. In this case, I believe you'd be using the FM-1. As that's a Regionale, you MUST validate your tickets in the machine prior to boarding the train, or risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
• the train from Tiburtina to Venice will be a FrecciaRossa, which travels at up to 300 km/h, so it will be a quick and enjoyable trip. Those trains have compulsory seat reservations, which will be provided with your tickets. Your Car (Carrozza) and Seat (Posti) numbers will be shown on the tickets.
• you can easily buy your rail tickets at the rail station at FCO. There are both staffed tickets offices as well as ticket Kiosks (these have English-language options and are very easy to use).

Thank you for all the good, advice - especially the details about traveling by train. We have decided to definitely travel from Rome to Venice by train, and will follow the suggestions provided - specifically purchasing the tickets at the station and not ahead of time. It sounds like the trains are very nice, so we are looking forward to the experience. This is our first trip outside of the US, so clearly there are many lessons to be learned.

Good choice. I deleted my post about flying, as I realized that the train is likely much better in your situation.

And if by chance your plane is so late that you miss both the 12:57 and 13:57 Trenitalia trains, there is an Italo train that departs at 14:15 from Termini And 14:25 from Tiburtina, arriving in Venice at 18:00. Italo is a separate train company from Trenitalia. We used them on our last trip and it was very nice.

http://www.italotreno.it/?sc_lang=en

Sharon,

I agree with Lola, good choice!

As this is your first trip to Italy, I wanted to mention that there are some potentially expensive "caveats" to be aware of when using trains and other public transit in Italy. If you need more information, post another note and I'll forward a copy of my usual "boilerplate" on the subject.

On the topic of finding the rail station at FCO and using trains in Italy, you may find it helpful to have a look at these two excellent websites.....

• http://www.roninrome.com/transportation/train-travel-italy
• http://seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm

And a couple of videos you may enjoy.....

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n8rITO1Eek
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YQW3d9dWvI

They're "basically" correct although I would have made a few updates.

During the trip from Rome to Venice, if you store your luggage in the luggage racks on one end of the rail car, watch it carefully to make sure it doesn't "disappear". Always keep smaller carry-on size luggage with you, and store this either on the rack above your seat or at your feet. Be sure to wear Money Belts while in Italy, as there will be pickpockets and other scammers at work. I believe the RS Italy 2016 guidebook has good information on that.

There is also a direct train (no changes) from FCO airport to Venezia S. Lucia at about 3pm, arriving at around 7:30pm.

There are directions to the train station inside the airport.

Enjoy your tour and your train ride!