Train question--important, please advise

It depends on the ticket type. Super economy fares allow no changes. Economy fares permit some, and base fares permit changes. If your first train is late and that is why you miss the connection, your ticket will be changed at no cost, but you have to go to Customer Service for a new ticket and seat reservation (tickets with seat assignments can't be used on any other train.)

I see the ticket is economy, so what do you mean by "some changes"? I have six minutes to catch the train in la spezia after getting there from cinque terre...

Whatever u do make sure you validate your tix on the train platform bef u get on .It is a punch box,
If u do not the conductor will fine u.

Which of the five towns will you be starting from? In any case, you shouldn't have any trouble making a connection at La Spezia Centrale.

As you apparently have an Economy ticket, these allow a single change of date / time after payment of a change fee. However, if you miss the train, you'll have to buy another ticket, which will probably be at Base fare (the highest price tier). DO NOT board a different train than the one specified on your ticket, as you'll face hefty fines! The tickets on the fast trains are specific to train, date and departure time and can only be used on the one train listed on the ticket.

To clarify one point from the previous reply, tickets for the fast trains do not have to be validated, since they're specific to only one train. However, the train you use from whichever Cinque Terre town you're staying in to La Spezia will likely be a Regionale and tickets for those MUST be validated prior to boarding on the day of travel, or again hefty fines! Validating tickets also applies to Buses, Metro, etc.

It would help to have further information on which train you're using to Rome?

This is what my ticket says:

Frecciabianca 9761
Class: 2nd Class

Fare Rules:

Economy
No booking or ticket changes are allowed with this fare. This fare is not refu

I think it's pretty self explanatory. Your ticket allows no changes or refunds. You shouldn't have any issues with the transfer, just be at the door of the train as it pulls into the station. La Spezia isn't a really big station, if I remember correctly it only has 6 tracks.

If for some reason your train is late getting in from the CT and you miss the train you need to go to the ticket window and let them know that the train was late and to adjust your ticket.

Donna

Your ticket should also show a carriage number and a seat number. All the Freccia trains have reserved seats. Six minutes should be enough time. Your ticket is economy. If your train is late, go to the customer service window to get the ticket changed, that is the only reason that Trenitalia is required to issue a new ticket at no charge.

Why would you not just take an earlier train out of the CT? I would not chance a high stakes ticket on a 6 minutes connection.

To reiterate one of the points from my earlier post.....

"As you apparently have an Economy ticket, these allow a single change of date / time after payment of a change fee."

It appears that your train departs La Spezia at 06:50, arriving Rome at 10:03. That's a VERY early departure and one point to note is that when you arrive at your hotel in Rome, your room may not be ready so you'll have to store your luggage for a few hours. I would have suggested a slightly later direct departure, but what you have will be fine.

As Zoe mentioned, your ticket will also list a Coach No. (Carrozza) and a Seat No. (Posti) and that will be your assigned seat on that train.

WHICH of the five towns are you departing from?

And, please ignore JS's comments. They do not apply to you or your situation. Any ticket purchased on-line including Regionale tickets come pre-validated because it is very hard to stick a big piece of paper in a little validation machine. The only ticket that needs to be validated is a Regionale train ticket purchased at a ticket machine or a ticket window in Italy.

Thanks to everyone for your help! Ciao!