Pre-purchase train tickets to Venice after arrival at FCO

That is not generally recommended simply because you have less than two hours. IMO, that is too tight. If you miss the train and have purchased either a Super Econ or Economy tickets, that ticket is dead and you have buy the Base ticket price. Sometimes the SE ticket is so cheap it is worth gamble. The last time in Rome on Saturday morning at 10am it took us over two hours to clear immigration. On three other trips we were done around an hour from landing. If you plane was late, you would have no chance.

The only ticket you can buy that you can change is a base ticket and the price is the same on-line or walk-up. If you buy it on line you have only 90 minutes (I think) to change it after the train leaves the station. So just buy when you get there. And don't worry about buying a first class tickets -- those seats never sell out. Personally don't think the difference in class is worth the up charge to first class. But that is personal preference.

When/how did you get the idea that first class tickets sell out quickly?

PS - Edit - I will defer to the locals that you have 60 mins to exchange a base ticket after the train leaves the station. I knew it was a short time. Just didn't know how short. I would not purchase a base ticket on line.

If you buy a ticket that is changeable, I see no problem. You'll have to pay full fare but you won't lose your money if your plane is delayed. Note that reimbursement is subject to a fee, but changes are free on base fare.

EDIT: Darioalb is right, Frank is right. I forgot about the one hour rule.

However, I am not sure if you are traveling in high season that I would wait until arrival to buy, nonetheless. Everyone says trains never sell out, but it happened to friends of mine in 2016. They arrive in Rome planning to buy tickets to Venice and every train was sold out. Yes, every single one. The lines at Termini were endless. Hundreds of people thwarted because both Trenitalia and Italo had sold out on the Venice route one June day. Apparently, there was a big event/conference in the Veneto. They tried everything and ended up on a bus, jetlagged, for hours and hours to get to Venice arriving after midnight.

So I would consider buying tickets on a later train, taking advantage of a deep discount knowing they might be throw-away tickets. When you do arrive, you can check on the 11:08 and see if you can get tickets and if that is worth giving up your cheap tickets for. There's another direct train at 15:08.

Laurel the problem is that even a full price BASE ticket is wasted one hour after the departure of the booked train and flights can be delayed more than one hour.

Discounted seats fill out quickly, not trains and for sure not first class seats at the walk-up fare.
That train departs almost empty from fco, it's too expensive compared to the Fl1 and people going north get on at Tiburtina.

Buy at the station, do not run the risk of arriving one minute late holding a worthless ticket.

I stand corrected Darioalb. will edit my answer.

If you book out 3 months, there are SuperEconomy ticket available for 19.90 EUR for Roma Terimini (or Tiburtina) to Venezia S. Lucia. The Base fare is 86 EUR. That would make me think about buying that ticket for a departure 4 to 5 hours after scheduled landing. Then if I was severely delayed, I'd only be out 20 EUR. If I landed on time and sailed through immigration, I would have to hang around a couple of hours waiting for the train. That is one of the trade offs.

Buy at the station, do not run the risk of arriving one minute late
holding a worthless ticket.

That's what I'd recommend as well. And we always travel 2nd class as the seats are plenty comfortable enough - WAY better than on a plane - not to pay premium price for 1st class.

Where are you flying in from? Maybe there is a direct flight to Venice? If not, you still might way out the layover somewhere as opposed to getting off plane and onto train.

Welcome to the forum! I agree with the question, why are flying into Rome and going to Venice? Why not fly directly to Venice or even Florence? Is it flight availability/cost? What else are you planning to see? It's kind of like flying to LA to visit Napa Valley.

We are flying info FCO instead of Venice because we are leaving back to the US from Rome and were able to get an amazing deal on round trip flights in and out of FCO. We saved too much money and just have to deal with the train ride to Venice. Well worth it for the extra spending money in Italy.

I wouldn't try it as it appears to be just too little time in the event of any little delay. Why not look for a train that leaves between 1 and 2 p.m? Yes, you will have a long wait, but I'd rather have a boring wait that be stressed about making the earlier train.

Are you planning to see Rome? You could consider starting there and working up to Venice unless you've already made reservations.

The schedule looks tight. I wouldn't tempt Murphy's Law.

This is a poker bet type of problem. If you buy SuperEconomy for the 11:08 direct train for 59.80 Euro for 2 people now, and you make it, you win. If you lose, you have to buy new full fare tickets for 192 EUR. So you are betting 60 EUR, it is the most you can lose. If you did nothing, you'd buy full fare tickets anyway. So the question is, as Dirty Harry would say, "Do you feel lucky?"

(we) were able to get an amazing deal on round trip flights in and out of FCO

The deals to FCO from my neck of the woods have been remarkable. Haven't seen Coach fares like that since post 9/11. Must be quite a few empty planes. Perhaps it's the travel advisory.

Sorry to say, less than two hours won't cut it. I'm pretty good about documenting my times, because I like to know facts. The last time I was at FCO (this past Oct, will be there again shortly), baggage claim took almost forty minutes. It doesn't happen every time, but it happens.

You don't say when you're traveling. Weather can affect the clock.

I tend to allow three hours. Rushing and stressing to catch a train on time is the WORST way to travel. Haven't missed a train connection yet, and the extra hour gives me time to pick up something to eat. However, I've never done Rome to Venice by train in this way.

There's very little difference between 1st and 2nd Class seating. I like 1st because the cars are usually less crowded and more quiet. But these days, there always seems to be some selfish narcissist who insists on sharing his/her cell phone conversation with the entire car. If you're on a budget, I wouldn't spend extra on 1st. The seats are reserved. You can pick your location.