Rome -Venice- Rome (Train vs EasyJet)

I always go with flying over the train because time is the most important factor to manage when on holiday--plus Easyjet has never let me down--whether for business or pleasure.

David,

I usually prefer train, as the airport procedures these days have become a bit "annoying". I've found that even with budget flights, I have to allocate AT LEAST four hours for travel to the airport, security and check-in, waiting, boarding, etc.

However, given the tight schedule you're working with, returning to Rome via EasyJet might be preferable.

Good luck and happy travels!

You might want to consider spending 2 nights in Venice to make it worth your while.

Since the time involved is about the same I would go with whatever is going to cost less. Keep in mind that most low cost air carriers in Europe will charge a ton for luggage. It could bring the price of your tickets way up. They also charge for a lot of incidentals so I would check them out carefully before deciding.

I, personally, like taking the train but if you can get a better price with flying that is what you should do. I have heard good things about going both ways.

Donna

My bench mark for this decision is if the train ride is more than 5 to 6 hours or even seven. Anything under that and the train will be quicker and much easier. I am even willing to spend an extra hour to two on the train just for the convenience and comfort that a train provides.

Using an airline has a lot of down time -- getting to and from the airport, security check, check-in and then just waiting even if there are no airplane delays. In your numbers you forget to add in the cost of to and from the Rome airport. Your train fare seems high. Where did you get that number? If from RailEurope it is inflated substantially.

Even when the plane is quite a bit faster and a little less expensive I go for the train. Airplanes stress me out, and I like to hang out in the dining car on trains and chat with other travelers.

I'm not sure where you found your rail prices, and not sure why you are trying to arrive via rail just in time for your flight.

I'd take a morning train Rome-Venice 2 days before you fly home, then an evening train back the day before you fly home, and hotel at/near your return flight.

If you reserve enough in advance, TrenItalia is showing a fare for Rome-Venice 08:45am day 1, return ~8pm day 2, for 96 Euro.

Sorry, I re-read my post and it is a bit confusing. The express train I was talking about was to FCO from Termini to catch the flight to Venice. It appears the earlist I could get to FCO is 5:50 AM and the plane to Venice leaves at 6:50. That would be cutting it real close.

I have read from early post that it is next to impossible to get the discounts(meno 15-30) with a US credit card, so it appears the discounts are not viable. (unless someone knows a secret).

I would much rather take the train, and I probably will, but it seems it will about double the price, and that would be alot of gelato I will be missing.

Thanks all for the suggestions and advice. As usual, a wonderful job by all my fellow travelers.

You could fly easyJet from FCO to VCE so you would have as early a start as possible to your first day in Venice. Then to have as much time as possible in Venice on your second day you could take the train back to Rome. Leave Venezia Santa Lucia at 19:27 and arrive in Rome at 22:55.

From my checking of the timetables at www.bahn.de, the first Leonardo Express train leaves Termini at 05:52 and arrives at FCO at 06:23 (not 05:50). That's obviously too late for you to catch your flight.

You can take regional trains from Tiburtina to FCO. The earliest one departs at 05:05 and arrives at 05:48.

Train. See the countryside. Train. No baggage check. Train. No security check. Train. If you are departing from Rome then you need to spend your last night in Rome anyway. You should not depend on any plane or train to get you from Venice to the FCO airport for a morning departure. You will need more leeway. You are cutting it too close. You will need to be at the airport no later than 3 hours before departure.

Easyjet, 60 Euro round-trip, per person plus 40 Euro cab fare to Fiumicino and 50 Euro cab in from Marco Polo, totalling 150 Euro....Train, 150 Euro.
Easyjet desk closes 40 minutes before departure, so they recommend arriving 2 hours early. Add that to the flight time, the cab journeys at each end, and you're easily looking at at least 4.5 hours....train journey time, downtown to downtown, about 3:50.
Easyjet....mass boarding, the earlier you check in, the earlier the chance to storm the plane for cramped seats....train, seats with room to actually cross your legs, even if you're 6'2", and a chance to wander around.

As usual, Norm, you put it very well !! But you left out the cab back to Marco Polo and cab or LExpress back to Rome. That is an addition 61 to 90E.

I've done this trip often, by both train and plane. Economially, the plane is the better deal - but only if you book early and don't have excessive luggage. We did a 3-day weekend in Venice over XMAS and flew roundtrip for 55 Euro each (that includes ALL junk fees, luggage fees, credit card fees, etc). Granted I booked this in late September.

We did take a cab to FCO for 40 euro (split three ways) for the early departure. But once at VCE we rode the bus into town for 2.50 euro. Then on our return trip, we rode the bus BACK to VCE (another 2.50 euro)and then the FR1 train into town from FCO (5.50 euro each). So round trip for THREE OF US us was under 225 euro. If it had been just two of us, it would have cost 172 euro ROUNDTRIP.

Yet we live here so we just "get there." If it was my first trip in Italy I'd probably take the train. No transfers, leave from downtown, and far more comfortable. As we travel trains often, the "romantic" factor is probably lost a little on us. And also, we do this run often so we are familar with the buses, the trains, and the Easyjet setup at T2 in Rome.

The plane can be quicker as you can check-in online with Easyjet and you do not need to go to a "specific"counter # to drop off your bags... thus you don't need to be there hours ahead .... but again, we are very practiced on Easyjet at FCO. Biggest disadvantage of planes....DELAYS!!!

I am taking a 7:30 am EasyJet flight from Rome to Venice on a Sunday. I chose EasyJet because I'm trying to save money (we only have carry-on baggage). I'm a little concerned about making it the airport on time. My hotel is near Termini, so I'm thinking about the SITBus which will arrive at FCO at 5:50 am. Is this enough time to make my flight? I've been having a hard time getting good info on this subject as everyone just says take the train.

Denise, the SITBus is your only realistic "public transportation" opportunity to catch the 7:30 AM flight. But if the bus does not leave on time - GO JUMP IN A TAXI at Roma Termini QUICK!

Check-in online to save time. Once you get to FCO,the SITBus "usually" stops and parks at the end of Terminal T3. You have to get to Terminal T2 - about a 8-10 minute walk down into the check-in area from where the SITBus parks. They started out stopping at each Terminal(1,2,3) but the last couple of times I rode the SITBus they did not...

I believe Easjet closes check-in 40 minutes prior to departure (check their website) so you MUST check in by 6:50 for a 7:30 AM departure. On ANY flight earlier than 7:30 AM, I would take a taxi or private shuttle. The COTRAL buses do run to the airport but they are not pratical. The Leonardo Express first arrival is not until 6:22 and the FR1 train - if on time (a big "IF"), is about 6 AM... so those are not really options for you - especially if you are staying in the Termini area.

For a US flight out of T5, no problems.... as they leave usually after 9:30 AM. But for a "domestic" EU flight, I'd not chance any form of public transportation for a flight leaving before 7:30 AM.

Good Luck!
Ron