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Taking train from Salerno to FCO and flying to Dubrovnik on same day

Call us crazy but we are planning to take early Saturday morning train from Salerno to FCO in time to catch Vueling flight to Dubrovnik. We are getting driver to take us from hotel on Amalfi Coast to Salerno to take either 6:11 a.m. or 6:40 a.m. train to Rome Termini, transferring to FCO, scheduled to arrive at airport at either 9:07 a.m. or 9:47 a.m. Our flight -- which was moved up four hours causing us to cancel original nonrefundable train tickets and put us in this dilemma -- is now 11:10 a.m. Barring any unforeseen delays does this give us enough time to get off train at FCO and check bags and check in for our flight to Dubrovniik?

Posted by
23178 posts

Probably not. Many airlines, especially discount, will close the check-in counter 45 minutes prior to departure. Don't know Vueling's policy. But if they do something similar, then you have to be at the check-in counter by 10.25. I guess it depends on your degree of risk taking. At best you may have about 35 minutes of extra time and that can easily get eaten up by the smallest of problems. But your key is "unforeseen delay". If you miss the plane what are you other options? Too many variables that you cannot control.

Posted by
3112 posts

I wouldn't cut it any closer than the 6:11 train. Considering that you've already been burned once by Vueling, I'm surprised you're not planning to go to Rome the Friday evening before your flight.

Posted by
8 posts

Thank you for your comments/suggestions. We hate to sacrifice a day/night on Amalfi Coast to arrive in Rome a day early to catch a flight to Dubrovnik. And the Rome to Dubrovnik is the only direct Vueling flight on the day we need to arrive in Dubrovnik. We could spend Friday night in either Salerno or Naples (speed train) just to catch first trains to Rome on Saturday morning to gain more time, but spending a few hours in Naples or Salerno on Friday afternoon/evening doesn't look appealing vs. spending Friday night in Amalfi ...

Posted by
23178 posts

Since your mind is apparently made up, why are you asking the question? My guess is that you can probably do it as intended. But is it prudent???? That is your call. Most here, based on experience, would not.

Posted by
5955 posts

Salerno is a lovely town, nice medieval center, pretty waterfront, inexpensive lodgings and some really good restaurants
The passeggiata there is a delight to watch or join in

I’d spend the night there and catch first train to Rome
If you are interested at all I’d actually go to Salerno earlier and head down to see Paestum, the temples are simply beautiful

Your plan is far too risky, at least it would be for us

I’d guess you’d need to leave Amalfi(where exactly?) by 4:30 to not risk missing that early train, that doesn’t sound appealing to me
The ferry ride from Amalfi to Salerno passes some of the best scenery along the coast, the drive will not unless you pay extra/extra time for that coastal drive and it will hardly be daylight anyway
The quote we had for a driver from Ravello to Salerno was something like 140 euros( NOT along the coast)

Posted by
870 posts

Take the train to Rome [or FCO] the previous afternoon. With the 6:11AM train there is only 10 minutes to change at Termini.

Posted by
8 posts

Christine:
Thank you for offering info on Salerno and providing another option. Very insightful. We are now leaning toward staying overnight in Salerno and taking the 5:20 am train from there to FCO ... This is our first ever trip to Italy. Thank you for being helpful and not judgemental ...

Posted by
3200 posts

We hate to sacrifice a day/night on Amalfi Coast to arrive in Rome a day early to catch a flight to Dubrovnik.

There's no way I could enjoy an evening in a location knowing I had to leave the hotel/apt by 4:30 AM to catch a 6:11 train for an 11:10 flight. That sounds like pure H#$$ to me. I'd get to Rome and enjoy the evening in Rome, with a relaxed morning before my flight. Everyone is different, but I like my sleep...and I like to travel with as little stress as possible. Unless this is your ONLY evening on the Amalfi Coast, forget it. It's just a view and Italy has many varied views. IMO YMMV

PS. I just saw your most recent post. Your change to 5:20 AM doesn't come close to doing it for me. Save your anxiety and get closer to the airport by staying in Rome. Transportation days can be the most stressful days of your vacation on their own without torturing yourselves...unless your occupations have you happily rising at these god forsaken hours. If not, don't do this to yourself. In my opinion it is a neophyte's mistake. Won't this make you exhausted all day long so you don't enjoy Dubrovnik as much as you should that first day? When we are exhausted traveling is when we make mistakes or poor choices.

Posted by
5955 posts

You’re welcome Dave
To be honest I’d go to Rome the night before as others have suggested

But we really did enjoy our 2 nights in Salerno so it’s an option albeit still a bit risky

If you do stay in Salerno have dinner at Mythos, a Greek restaurant but probably the best meal we had on our recent trip to Italy;)
There’s also a really good gelato shop near that restaurant, should be easy to find as the line was always out the door.

Good luck and enjoy your time in Italy
-chances are you will fall in love and return

Posted by
8 posts

Thank you! Full disclosure we are spending the first three nights of our trip in Rome plus the last two nights before flying home

Posted by
11037 posts

As I understand it there is only the 11:10 flight on the date you must fly.

What is your backup plan if if you miss it?

Also Croatia is NOT a Schengen zone member, so you may have some 'exit processing' to go through, adding time to your journey from the front door of the terminal to the plane.

Good luck, and be sure to pack a BIG bottle of Tums