Traveling to Rome,Florene, Tuscany & Cinque Terre Best travel options

I am going in April for 18 days, I am flying into Rome and out of Milan. It was not much more of a plane ticket than if I flew in and out of Rome or Milan. If I had to pick the options you listed I would choose the first. Good luck

Not sure what you are asking. One option is RT Rome but that requires extra time of returning to Rome. Another would be fly into Florence or even Milan and come home from Rome. Save some travel time and probably cheaper. If returning from Rome mostly likely would be a mid day flight back to the states. An early morning flight probably be connecting somewhere in Europe with a direct flight back from there. All work -- over the years we have been close to your schedule. We now try to do mostly open jaw/multi city flights of into one city and home from another. Again, more convenient and can be cheaper.

Sorry folks, thank you for quick responses!
I guess I wasn't totally clear, sorry!!!

So my husband and I are traveling on our first trip to Italy and flying to Rome , spending 3 days in Rome. Then for second leg of trip we are meeting our son and his wife and traveling TOGETHER to Florence, Tuscany and Cinque Terre.

They leave from Cinque Terre to travel to France and we are returning home to states. We found a great direct non stop round trip,
but to and from Rome! Wondering if the train ride from Cinque Terre to Rome a worthwhile trip to do this flight or fly out of Milan,Pisa, Genoa or Florence all longer flights with layovers.

oh, thanks for the clarification. I would do the shortest trip. I think to get to both airports in Rome or Milan would be about a 5 hour ride, give or take a few but you better check the Italian Rail site first. I would search from your destination to the airport and not the city. So check train to MXP or FCO. If the train ride is shorter then the layovers and changes by plane, then take the train. Personally, I would rather do one ride home on the plane then to change flights because you never know. Good luck

We took the Intercity north from Rome to La Spezia - a little over four hours, plus the local to Monterosso in our case.

There are numerous options by train once you get to La Spezia, getting you to Rome in about four hours - a few direct, others with changes. The prospect of a nonstop flight back to the States from FCO is compelling, although most likely involving a night's stay at or near the airport.

But the travel will take up a good portion of the day.

Thank you for your great information! I appreciate it!!

I would also do as Miuccia suggests and leave Rome as my last destination.
I would go to Florence/Tuscany immediately after landing in Rome.
I’m not sure where in Tuscany you plan to visit and how (by rental car? Bus? Bicycle?). That would determine where I’d go immediately after landing.
Then I would go to the Cinque Terre.
Then I would return to Rome and visit the city on my last few days before flying home
Finally I would fly home from Rome.

Since you've made no indication that you are able to alter your itinerary I won't suggest going right to Florence after landing- altho that is a good plan and a good way to avoid that Rome split stay.

There is nothing wrong with having just 1 night at end in Rome. You should be able to get to Rome by early afternoon so you've got the whole afternoon and evening to enjoy a bit more of Rome.
Don't plan any major sightseeing- just go back to your favorite piazza and enjoy the fountains lit up at night. Maybe take the Heart of Rome walk in the opposite direction- if you've already done it. Return to your favorite gelato place or your favorite restaurant.
As long as your flight is about 10 am or later just stay IN Rome- not at the airport.
Take a taxi to the airport in the am- fixed rate is 55 euros and will take maybe 40 min to get there.

Three days in Rome

I am assuming 3 nights? - which is really only 2.5 days- that is barely enough to scratch the surface and you'll be jet lagged on the first day. Unless you mean 4 nights- which is 3.5 days.
If you count your trip in NIGHTS listed of days you get a better picture.

I always look for direct to and from. If I had to fly with a change I'd prefer that to be on the return trip- your vacation is over so if you get stuck somewhere or your luggage gets waylaid- who cares?
(this is what Trip Insurance is for)

So- my advice take the RT direct Rome flight.

Thank you for the great responses!

We agree switching our itinerary and doing Rome at the end of our trip instead of front end is a much better option; however, we are meeting family who are traveling to meet us from London and then going to France.
Tuscany and Cinque Terre is where they are meeting us. They don't have time to do Rome on this trip. They are moving to London from the states and want to chill in Tuscany! Hopefully this will be the first of future trips to Italy!

Thank you again for your responses! We did book direct non stop flights to and from Rome, now to build our itinerary!!