travel via bus or train from Rome's Fiumicino to Florence

Thanks for all the great info!
Pam

You cannot take a bus directly from FCO to Florence, but you don't have to switch train stations in Rome. You have two choices: 1. Take the Leonardo Express train from FCO to Termini and a EuroStar train from there to Florence. The Leonardo Express runs every 30 minutes, takes 32 minutes, and costs €14.00. 2. Take a Terravision bus from FCO to Termini and the train from there. The bus runs every 30 minutes, takes one hour, and costs €4.00.

Thanks very much Tim. Any idea on where to get the train or the bus at the airport?
Pam

Hmmm. Are you following RS advice and packing light? There is only one extra change here at Rome Termini. The train to Florence is only 1.5 hours. A bus would take 3 hours.

Just follow the signs. It is well marked and there will be a general flow of people headed to the train. You will not be the only one taking the train to Termini. You can buy your ticket to Florence at the same time you buy the ticket to Termini. Allow at least 30 mins to get to the Florence train platform. Unfortunately the L Express uses a platform on the far left side (as you walk to the front of the station) so it is a good walk to the front of the station and the platform used for the Florence train.

Pam, the only thing I would add is that the Leonardo Express comes in at Track #24 at Roma Termini, and pulls up to the railhead now rather than a half-kilometer further away, so no worries about leaving enough time to walk to the train for Florence. There are trains to Florence about every hour or so.

Pam, the transition from airport to the FCO train station, catching the Leonardo Express... and then getting on a train to Florence is pretty straight-forward. You've been given excellent advice and as Zoe notes, the Leonardo Express now parks "in the main station" at Track 24 after years of parking out at a satellite track - so far less walking (or running) for you. I'd wait and purchase all my tickets at the FCO train station as you never know if your plane may be late. For some more assistance - and plenty of pictures - you might look at these two posts: Riding the Leonardo Express and The Train Station at FCO. Good luck in your travels!