Rome- how early to arrive at Termini for train ride?

20 minutes should be enough. Earlier and you will just stand around waiting for the platform to be announced.

No more than 30 minutes. You can probably do it in 10 or less, but I sometimes get confused so I go a little earlier and sometimes there is a line going into the train area. I am just talking about getting from the outside of the station and getting on the train. I am not taking into consideration traffic. Last time I was on the train from Rome to Naples was two years ago. It could have changed.

If going to Pompeii, I think you have to change to a local in Naples. It is at the same location, more or less, but a different station. There is a 200-300 yard walk to the local. Maybe longer.

If you go a little early you can buy some food for a picnic breakfast on the train.

The station is pretty simple, tracks are dead ends stretching from left to right as you enter the track area from the central lobby. Technically the train to Naples can leave on any track from 1 to 24, but usually use tracks 4-12.

If you are not familiar with the station, then give yourself a little time to get your bearings once there, but 20 to 30 minutes is plenty. Of course, depending on where you are starting from, and how you are getting to the station, there could be delays there (late bus, just miss a metro train, traffic for a taxi), maybe that is the bigger risk.

Thanks for all of the replies. It seems like 20 mins in advance is the consensus.

We are staying near the taxi stand at Piazza Navona, so we will plan on getting into a cab around 720 or 725am depending on what google maps says the traffic looks like. And if we can arrive by 7:40, that should give us enough time to watch the board and see what track we are departing from.

Yes, our destination is Pompeii. So we will transfer to the Circumvesuviana line toward Sorrento and continue from there.

Thanks for all of the replies. It seems like 20 mins in advance is the
consensus.

But if this is your first time at Termini, take Paul's advice and arrive a bit earlier to orient yourself. When we were there the station was verrrrry crowded and it took a bit to orient ourselves and figure out where to go to get to the tracks.

If for example your train is Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) 9503, it will be arriving from Florence at 07.49, so I would actually plan to be there at that time, arriving 10 minutes in advance if you are familiar with the station layout and maybe 15 if you aren't.

If you are in the advanced class, you could check on the viaggiatreno app if 9503 (or whatever) is travelling on time say, at 7.00 or so; were it very delayed you could arrive later.

You must be on the platform in front of the door a couple of minutes before departure because you must board the train no later than one minute before departure. Doors close automatically one minute before departure.

Consider that you will need to locate the departing platform on the display then walk to the platform, preferably to the entrance of the car for which you have your reservation, although you can board any cars and then walk through the cars from inside, but of course, if you have luggage, it is easier to board the correct car from the platform. So I would plan to be at the station at least 10-15 min prior to departure so that you have time to walk to the boarding car without rushing.

There are numerous videos on YouTube showing how to navigate Termini, which would make you more familiar with the layout.

We ended up arriving at 7:46 via taxi. Walked in and found our departure track on the big board. Track 3 was right in front of us, so we were comfortably on the train at 7:51 for our 8:00 departure.

Bonus: our car is right next to the snack car, so my kids will be able to grab something to eat for the ride.

Excited for a train ride. Brings back memories of when I backpacked Europe 25 years ago.

Good information. I was looking for this. We're traveling from Rome airport to Naples by train. I understand we can catch a train at the airport to the Termini Station. I was looking for more information on this. And crazy question. I always wonder how we find our train /car when we catch the train to Naples. Its been awhile since we used this train system. Is it easy to purchase your ticket at the station or best to buy on line?

I'll follow this page for my information,

TY

This is for Alice19.

We will be going from Roma Termini to Sorrento, and I found this site helpful for navigating the Naples Train Station. The link below gives lots of information about Roma Termini. In one area of this website, they have photos of interiors of the trains, which should help you get an idea of how seats will be labeled. I haven’t been to Italy for awhile, so someone else can give more specific information, but most trains have the car number written outside near the door, seat numbers above the seat. Have a great trip!

https://www.seat61.com/stations/rome-termini.htm

@alice19

In addition to the Man in Seat 61 website, you will find numerous videos on YouTube showing how to get on the train at FCO and how to get to your train at Termini.