train from Pisa to Rome

You are correct in that the new train does not go to Termini. But Termini is only a couple stops on the subway from, Tiburtina, the Italo station. The ONLY reason to purchase in advance is to take advantage of available discounts but those tickets come with restrictions. Have you looked at the fares for Trenitalia from Florence? Should not be that much difference.

Joe, at Pisa Centrale, you have an alternate path down to Rome Termini. You don't have to go to Florence first. No train changes either. Shorter travel time and less expensive as well. The train goes down the west coast of Italy to Civitavecchia and turns east to Roma-Termini. Here's a link to a picture of what I see. Note the 7:32 train. Note the special fares still available for Oct. 1. http://gyazo.com/f83da6a8e20201196073941c7eeee9e7 There are also about 4-5 later trains that make this run. See www.trenitalia.com. Register on the website and buy your discounted tickets.

Joe, you have your wires crossed. You said, It sounds like the Italo Frecciargento train is the way to go There is no such thing as an Italo Frecciargento. The .Italo NTV trains are a private company competing with Trenitalia, the national government owned monopoly train company. Trenitalia also run between Florence and Rome. The midrange high speed train run by them is indeed the Frecciargento. Trenitalia go between Firenze Santa Maria Novella station (some go from a smaller Florence station - check carefully) and Roma Termini. .Italo trains go between Firenze SMN and Roma Tiburtina, a short Metro journey to Termini, and Roma Ostiense, linked to the west of Rome by trams and buses, and the Metro. Where is your hotel?

My hotel is near the Spanish Steps. I'm departing from Pisa.

Stick with Trenitalia and use Termini in Rome. Why make it complicated? What lead you to believe that Italo was a better bet?

Like I said in my original post, I'm confused. Thanks for the advice.