railpass for leonardo express train?

Chris,

This might depend to some extent on which type of Railpass you have? If you're using a Flexpass, you wouldn't want to use one day of your Pass for that short trip.

Were you going to use the Pass when you first arrive, for the trip from FCO to Termini? At that point, your Pass probably wouldn't have been validated, so you can't use it for anything until that's been done.

We bought the 1st class railpass you mention. We got it for 4 days witin a two month period. We used it from Rome airport to the Tremini and that constitutes one of the four days. The ticket agent at the train station at the airport will fill in the ticket info for you. We just didn't want to hassel with trying to find other transportation into Rome on our first time to Italy. It worked well but does use up one of your days on the ticket. There aren't first class seats on that train so you don't need a reservation.

The fare for the Leonardo Express is 11E. If that's extent of your train rides for the day, it's not worth it to burn up a day. If you are transferring to another train at Termini on the same day to go somewhere else, one day on your flexi-pass can be well worth it.

Thanks for the replies. We certainly weren't planning to use up a travel day as we're not doing any other train travel that day. From the wording I had wondered if it might be one of the "bonuses" that do not need a travel day. Sounds like it is not, so we will just pay the 22 euro (half a day's wage... sigh... earning NZ currency sucks!)

The Italians are not that stupid. It is a captive audience and they are making the most of it. The LExpress is not on any deal. Without question the LE is the most expensive train ticket per mile anywhere.

I take it there are no convenient alternatives for travel from near Termini to Fiumicino (11am flight)?

Dhris -- you have a full range of options from private driver to bus. The bus is the cheapest but do not know the schedule or even the price.

You could take the Metro (line B) from Termini to Ostiense and a regional train from there to FCO. Trains depart at 18 and 48 minutes past the hour and the trip takes 30 minutes. The fare is €5.50.

The Heathrow Express might win the "honor" of being the most expensive train ride per mile covered. It's a 15-minute ride (the Leonardo Express takes 35 minutes) and the cost is £16 (€19) whereas the Leonardo Express is "only" €11.