We want to buy our train ticket from Rome to Salerno now but what if our plane is delayed or customs takes longer and we miss our train? Is it easy to trade them in for a later train? About how much time would we need we land at 7:55AM and would love to be in Salerno as early as possible but don't want to buy a ticket only to miss the train.
Thanks again everyone for your help!
Refund/change policy depends on the category of ticket you purchase. If you purchase the super-economy ticket, there is no refund or change possible; if you miss the train you must buy a new ticket at the station, at which point it will be unlikely that discount tickets are still available.
Economy tickets permit some changes, but read the terms carefully for time limits. You may not be able to make a change to this ticket by the time your train is scheduled to depart.
Base fare tickets are full fare, you can make changes until near departure time.
I almost never buy a discount ticket for travel the same day I arrive, but if you want to take the chance, go for the latest convenient arrival time in Salerno.
Since the full fare is only 46 euro 2nd class, I'd just buy when you arrive. Trading full fare tickets could take a bit of time, and Super Economy tickets become worthless after the train leaves the station. Not sure the scoop on Economy tickets.
Lydia,
One never knows how long it will take to get out of the airport, especially if your flight is delayed.
I don't recommend buying train tickets for the day of arrival in advance, unless you want to gamble on getting the super-economy (least expensive) tickets, and if you don't get to take that particular train, then just buy a new ticket at the station.
You can easily buy your train ticket(s) at the airport.
Thanks everyone! That is what we will do, wait and buy it at the train station! Thanks so much
In addition to the Trenitalia trains noted above there are occasional services on that line by the competitor Italo Treno.
As fast, sleeker, more modern, started up by people from Ferrari, very very comfortable, even has a cinema coach.
Some Italo trains to Naples (and onwards to Salerno) use Roma Tiburtina, but a fair few use both Roma Termini and Tiburtina.
They are often a better price on the Italo specials than on the Trenitalia ones - although Trenitalia's 2 for 1 on Saturdays is a pretty good deal. The base price for each company is similar.
Be careful if using the Trenitalia on that route that you don't take a Regionale or InterCity train to Napoli and Salerno. If you do the trip will take an extra couple of hours and may involve a change of train more than once.
The mid-range Economy tickets are only changeable before the departure of the scheduled train. Trains are not likely to get all filled up, so I recommend buying the ticket upon arrival.
lydia,
As the others have mentioned, the policy on ticket changes will depend on which category you purchased. Most here don't recommend buying tickets for the fast trains to connect with inbound flights, since the tickets are specific to train, date and departure time and can only be used for the one train listed on the ticket. If you try to use them on another train, you'll be subject to hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
Here's the deal.....
Even if the tickets could be changed, it likely wouldn't be practical to do so, as you may have to stand in a long queue at the ticket office (in a jet lagged state with luggage) in order to make the changes. Although it costs more, the best solution (IMO) is simply to buy the tickets when you arrive at the FCO airport rail station. You'll also need to buy your tickets for the Leonardo Express which travels from the airport to Roma Termini (where you'll connect with the Freccia train to Salerno). Note that there are two trains servicing FCO so be sure to board the L.E. Also, on that train you MUST validate your ticket prior to boarding, or you'll risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
Finally, you'll only have to deal with Passport control at FCO. That may be fairly quick, but will depend on the number of flights that arrive at the same time and how many staff members they have on duty. "Customs" is simply a walk through the "Nothing To Declare" line and won't take any time at all (unless of course you have something to declare). You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Ron In Rome website as there's a good section there on travel from the airport, as well as train travel in Italy in general.
