Suggestions on transportation

You might want to grab an earlier train. There's one at 5:30am: http://orario.trenitalia.com/b2c/nppPriceTravelSolutions.do?stazin=Montecatini+Centro&stazout=roma&datag=04&datam=02&dataa=2016&timsh=05&timsm=00&car=0&stazin_r=null&stazout_r=null&datag_r=18&datam_r=12&dataa_r=2012&timsh_r=08&timsm_r=00&trencounter=0&nreq=5&solotreno=&npag=1&sort=0&trencounter_r=0&nreq_r=5&solotreno_r=&npag_r=1&sort_r=0&traintype=&traintype_r=&traintype=&traintype_r=&lang=en&channel=tcom

Hey thank you so much for the reply! I had seen that one but I was concerned I wouldn't be able to get to the Vatican in time if I arrived at 9:10. I know it's still a 5-10 min walk from the Ottiviano stop as well. Do u have any idea how long train transfers take as either way it looks like that's what I'm uninformed about?

Train transfers take very little time. 5 or 6 minutes is usually enough. Just be ready to get off as soon as your train stops. Get your stuff together and stand by the exit for the last few minutes of the trip. Whatever you do, don't drive in Rome!

Train transfers take very little time. 5 or 6 minutes is usually enough. Just be ready to get off as soon as your train stops. Get your stuff together and stand by the exit for the last few minutes of the trip. Whatever you do, don't drive in Rome!

On the other hand, if the train is late, you may miss your reservation time. If the train is on time, 6 minutes is enough.

13 minutes is plenty of time at Firenze SM to change trains. Just if the train is late you may miss it. Agree with someone above about possibly taking an earlier train. Have a caffe before your vatican visit early in Rome.

I thank all of you for your for your replies! You have all been more than helpful! I've decided to not drive into Florence and especially Rome! After reading on some other sites I'm going to pay to park for 2 days at the Sansovino tram stop (just outside of Florence). This only cost 12 euros a day and the cars are supposedly very safe at this location from what people have said. I'm going to be able to get to Firenze SMN earlier by driving to this stop and taking the tram for 1.5 euros. This pays for itself because the Train from Montecatini and back would've been the same 25 euros at least and more waiting! The tram gets me to the station in time to catch a train that arrives in Rome at 8:25 and is only 9 euros a person which is 20 euros cheaper than the train I was going to take and it also arrives 45 min earlier. This gives me time to drop my stuff off at the hotel as well! 👍👍

It's always a good idea to have a back up plan when relying on trains in Italy- what's yours? I would go into Rome the evening prior.

Must say, I'm with Bob, and based on what you say here, I think you would have a much more enjoyable time, and more enjoyable visit to the Vatican, if you traveled into Rome early the evening before. Why get up very, very early, rush to deal with your drive and trains, including schlepping your baggage, then rush to get to your hotel in Rome, then rush to get to the Vatican for your reserved tour. Instead you could have a nice dinner and walk in Rome, a good full night's sleep, a nice breakfast and maybe even a leisurely walk to Vatican City, depending where your hotel is located.