Hello,
I'm taking my first trip to Italy (Rome-Florence) next month. It's a packaged independent trip that I booked through an online agency. My flight going back to the States is at 7:20am and I noticed that earliest VolainBus leaves at 5:30am from the Train Station. Will I be able to catch my flight by taking the bus? Or I should pay extra for a night time taxi?
ps. My flight connects in Paris, so it's not direct to the Sates.
Hi Lynn,
For me personally, it would be cutting it a bit tight. But you might be just fine.
Gates usually close 45 minutes in advance and while the recommendation to be 3 hours early for an international flight is a bit ridiculous, 1.5 hours ahead is usually what I aim for myself.
So, it's a half-hour drive from Rome's center to the Fiumicino airport. If the bus leaves bang on time and all goes well, that will put you at the airport at about 6, 6:10, giving you a little over an hour.
That could work out fine. But if the bus leaves 20 minutes late, or drives slowly for some reason, you could be in trouble. It's really how comfortable you are with the risk vs. paying a little bit of extra money.
I have taken the airport bus to FLR from SMN Train Station. The 5:30 a.m. bus will arrive at FLR around 6:00 a.m., or maybe a couple of minutes earlier, which gives you sufficient time to check in for your 7:20 a.m. flight to CDG. You should be fine. A taxi will cost you 20-25 Euros, versus 5 Euros for the bus. Hopefully, your flight is NOT on a Monday morning (could be more crowded than the norm).
Thank you Amanda and GAC!
@Amanda: I guess I didn't make my question clear enough, but I will arrive first in Rome from the states then travel to Florence. So, I'll leave Italy from FLR instead of FCO.
@GAC: I will be flying on a Wednesday morning. So hopefully, the bus will arrive on time and check-in process not so hectic...
Lynn, in May this year I flew the same flight leaving Florence to Paris and elected to take a taxi. I guess it is a matter of piece of mind. For me, I didn't want to be on the streets of Florence trying to get to the train station that early in the morning. I was traveling solo and therefore didn't have anybody to rely on to help with bags, souvenirs etc. Whatever you do, weigh the pros and cons of bus versus taxi. If you can be flexible on the possibility of not making your flight, then take the bus. If you cannot, ease your mind and shell out the little extra money for a night time taxi. Happy travels e Ciao! Linda
