Train from Rome to Ravenna

Yes. The fast train from Rome will arrive at the deep underground level. The Regionale to Ravenna will depart from the ground level. There will be be escalators (or elevators) but changing at Bologna Centra,è will likely require up to 15 min from the tracks below to the ones at street level.

Going from a Freccia train from Rome to a regional train to Ravenna, you will have to go from the underground platforms to the surface platforms. 17 minutes is actually pretty good since most times the connection time is only 12 minutes.

Thanks for the replies, I was afraid that’s what I would have to do. We did find a train that has 17 minutes change time, the rest are 12 minutes.

Roxanne

There are 19 direct trains a day from Bologna to Ravenna, why don't you make 2 separate purchases on trenitalia.com? This way you can pick a train to Ravenna that departs later.
You could also buy a Bologna-Ravenna paper ticket at Roma Termini, before departing to Bologna. This way you can time-stamp the paper ticket in Bologna and take any Regionale train to Ravenna departing within 4 hours.

There is no need to make separate purchases. When you book Rome - Ravenna you will be given two tickets anyway, one for the Freccia, and one for the Regionale. And the Regionale ticket is flexible, so if you miss your connection in Bologna you just take the next train. No need to overthink this. Personally I would go for the 12 minute connection :-)

You'll probably make it to platform 4 in about 5 to 6 minutes. Just follow the signs.

It's true that the Regionale trains tickets are flexible, but if you get one online:

• you'll need an internet connection to change it. While the free wifi on Freccia trains usually works quite well, inside stations the connection is slow and spotty
• you'll have to change your ticket to a later train before the scheduled departure time of the Regionale train

Thanks everyone these replies have been really helpful.

Roxanne