train from rome to venice

See this site for tons of helpful info: http://www.roninrome.com/?p=360

There are several types of trains to take but the fastest train still takes 4 hours. I would go with one of those. The official site for schedules and prices is**http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD **** You probably won't be able to buy tickets in advance but they are easy enough to get when you arrive in Italy. There is not much difference between 1rst and 2nd class. This is a longer trip so I always buy 1rst class seats as it's not as crowded in that section and you seem to have a little more room though second class is perfectly fine. Donna

Greetings from a former fellow Alaskan! If that link Donna provided doesn't work, just go to Trenitalia.com and choose English. If you use Google to get there, don't go to the RailEurope site which bills itself as the "official" one for the US. . . . You can get the fares and schedules from Trenitalia but generally cannot buy tickets with a US credit card on the website. But do not worry; you can use your credit card to buy the tickets in Italy, either from the machines or at the window. The fast ES "Frecciargento" ("silver arrow")trains depart hourly and take 3 hours 45 minutes to reach Venice. They are well worth the cost over the slower IC trains, which take 6 hours or so. Cost for the ES is 99 euro in 1st class and 73 euro in 2d class, with the seat reservation included in the price. Second class is fine. If you are in Italy a week or more before your trip to Venice, you may be able to buy advance-purchase tickets with a 15% discount.

Thanks,everyone, for all your very helpful tips about the trains from Rome to Venice!

marge, you might also consider flying on Easyjet from FCO-VCE.
looks like 2 flights/day-D 6:50A -A 7:55A (26E)

OR D 16:35P A17:40P (39E)
Hope this is of some help

Through December 11, 2010, you can travel on any AV train in Italy (Frecciarossa or Frecciargento) for 49 Euros one-way in second class, with the PROMO AUTUNNO promotional fare, where tickets must be purchased no later than MIDNIGHT of the day BEFORE travel. Tickets at this fare are capacity controlled, so they might not be available at that fare when requested. You don't need first class on these trains, including the Frecciargento trains between Rome and Venice. Second class if fine, unless you have lots and lots of luggage, and/or are an exceptionally large person.