Train or Plane--heading from CT to Rome, best way to travel??

Looks like with the train it will be about 3 hours from the time you get to Pisa until you get to Rome Termini. If you fly, you'll have to get to the Pisa airport, check in a couple hours early to go through security, board, etc, then you have the flight time to Rome airport, then the time to get from the airport to Termini. I can't see where you'll save any time flying and it will certainly add to the hassle.

How do the costs compare?

Thanks Lee, I wasn't thinking about the need to be at the airport ahead of time, etc.. that does make a difference.. If Im figuring trains out correctly, the plane ticket is 100 euro and train could be 140-to 200. so, train it is.. now on to figuring that out. I'm looking on trenitalia from Vernazza to Rome.

Train. Other than a flight from Northern Italy to Sicily or Sardinia, flying really makes no sense in Italy just due to the security times and extra effort.

Train is around 40 euro on TrenItalia, a few even lower farther out. It's around a 4 hour train ride with 2-3 connections depending on your time.

Flying from Pisa to Rome is about $93 on Alitalia, toss in a few bucks to get to pisa on the train. It's a hour flight time to Rome, factor in the getting to the airport early for security, then about another 30-40 min from the airport in Rome to the city center (where the train takes). The times could be the same.

I would and have rented a car. Pick up car in LaSpezia an drop off a Termini Station in Rome. It is a great drive.
Lorieann

The train takes 4.5 hours approximately from Vernazza to Rome. One change in La Spezia. The cost is under 60 euro, even with no discounts for early purchasing.

If you fly, you need to take the train to Pisa (1.5 hours approx. with one change in La Spezia). Then 15 min bus to the airport. Let's say another 1.5 hours ahead of flight time for checking in, security and boarding. The flight is about 1 hour. Deplaning, collecting luggage, walking outside terminal, another 1/2 hour. Then 45 min taxi (50 euro) or train (15 euro/pp) or other means of transport to downtown Rome from the airport.

So....
Option 1: Train+plane from Pisa= nearly 6 hours for about 150 euro/person
Option 2: Train only all the way=4.5 hours for up to 60 euro/person

Renting a car in La Spezia and driving is not any faster than the train, once you consider the transfer from La Spezia station to the port (where most rental car companies are) and the paperwork for picking up and returning the car.

You should rent a car ONLY IF you plan to visit places along the way (for example the Argentario peninsula). If you don't plan to stop along the way, the drive is not that hot. The highway along the coast (via Aurelia), is not even along the shore, it's a few km inland, so not much in terms of 'sea views'.

eh,

Flying on that route would be absurd. As Roberto so aptly pointed out, taking the train will not only be faster but also cheaper.

For the trip from Florence to Vernazza, one of the easiest trips will be a departure from Firenze SMN at 09:53, arriving Vernazza 12:42 (time 2H:49M, one change at La Spezia Centrale).

For the trip from Vernazza to Rome, the best solution is to connect with one of the direct fast trains from La Spezia Centrale to Roma Termini. The departure from Vernazza at 12:14, arriving Rome at 16:32 would be a good one (time 4H:18M, one change at La Spezia). The FrecciaBianca from La Spezia to Rome only takes 3H:18M on that particular trip. There are numerous other departures, with varying travel times and number of changes. If you buy advance tickets for the Freccia train, you'll be able to save some money.

When you look for trains, just put your origin and destination into Trenitalia's website; don't worry about the change points. It will calculate the various route connections and price options for you.

Roberto has neatly laid out for you exactly why the train is the way to go on this route. The only reason people would fly from Pisa to Rome is to get an international connection not possible directly from Pisa (say, Pisa to Rome to Tokyo). To actually go between the two cities, take the train.

Thank you for all of the great advice. I agree about the car. We won't be stopping anywhere so the train is the right answer. I'll start looking into the plans you have suggested here. the times seem to be good for my family. I appreciate being able to ask for ideas and help with my travel planning.