Both my husband and I will be arriving from a Meditterean cruise Nov. 30 at 4am. We would like to take the next train from Rome to Venice, spend 3 night, and on the return trip from Venice, stop in Florence, spend 3 nights, and then catch a train to Rome to fly out from FCO airport to USA the following day. My questions are: 1. What type of train pass or tickets should I purchase so I can enjoy both cities in the amount of days I have mentioned? 2. How quickly would I get to the FCO airport in Rome from Florence? 3. Where would be the best place to purchase the train tickets?
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
Sammee have you thought about flying out of Venice instead of returning to Rome? You could stop in Florence enroute to Venice and you would have more time to enjoy these cities and less travel. We always fly open jaw and it really isn't any more $ except if you have a rental car and pay a drop charge.
Posted by
Costa Mesa
348 posts
It sounds like you have three days of travel, correct. If so tou can go to raileurope site and type in each of the trip and it will tell you the schedules. You could reserve your seats already too. But you might want to wait til you get there just in case there are changes and in November it should not be crowded. If you want to purchase ahead you can .YOu can purchase the saver pass for $ 180 for 3 days first class or $146 second class. I agree for the small price diff first class is better
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Sammee,
Congrats on your upcoming trip. To try and answer your questions.... First, I would not buy a train pass for your level of travel. You will probably want to buy point-to-point Eurostar (or AV tickets) as these are the fastest trains. You can purchase your tickets as you go, at a FS logo travel agency,
or all at once at either the FCO Train station or once you get to Termini. To see a link of info on arriving at FCO, CLICK HERE - and on the FCO train station, CLICK HERE.
You can get from FCO to Termini in 31 minutes by riding the Leonardo Express... then on to Florence by Eurostar in less than 1.5 hours.
Again, you can purchase tickets at a train station or at a travel agency. For your travel options, probably better at either the FCO airport station or Termini. To see a post on arriving at Termini, CLICK HERE.... and to see how to buy a ticket at a kiosk, CLICK HERE.
Ron in Rome
Posted by
OP
Clinton, Washington
83 posts
Thank you all so much for your help and suggestions. I hadn't thought of flying open jaw, but that is a perfect idea to train from Rome to Venice and fly out of Venice; that we shall do.
Another question. We have hotel accomodations at Hotel St. Paul, but I've tried unsuccessfully to get public transportation from the FCO airport to the hotel. The responses I get says there is no time and date available to take me from point A to B. at 9:00am or the hotel is out of the area. The hotel's website does not have e-mail to ask for help getting there. It is about 24-33 minutes away. Is a taxi the only option?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Sammee,
The trip from Roma / FCO is very easy! Take the Leonardo Express (train) from the airport station to Roma Termini (which is the main station in Rome). NO ISSUES with trafffic! The trip from the airport is about 30 minutes and the cost is €11 per person (as I recall). You can buy tickets at the airport either from an automated ticket machine or from an agent. DON'T FORGET to validate your ticket before getting on the train!
From Termini you can either take the Metro or a Taxi to your Hotel. After coming off a trans-atlantic flight, I'd probably opt for a Taxi (which is what I did on the last trip). I've found it's a good idea to have a small piece of paper with the Hotel name and address written on it, to show the Taxi driver.
Cheers!
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Sammee, We've also flown Rome (FCO)- Venice (Marco Polo) on Easyjet roundtrip for under €55... and that's "all-in," including luggage and credit card booking fees. One way from Rome to Venice on the Eurostar 2nd class is €62. You could book a one-way for under €30 and the flight is about an hour (But add about 2 hours to go to and through the two airports!!!). We like the trains, but often take the quick flights!