There are two couples (I am one of the travelers) with American airline travel tickets already booked and in hand leaving JFK 4:45PM on October 1, 2019 and arriving at FCO in Rome at 7:15 AM October 2ed, 2019. Once we arrive at FCO-Rome the morning of October 2ed we would like to go directly to Florence by train for a 4 day stay. Through out our travels we are looking for the most direct, reasonably priced but comfortable transport to each of our destinations. We all would like to leave Florence the morning of October 6th and travel by train to Naples Italy for a 6 day visit. One of our travel partners was born near Naples so we have a connection there for other services. On the morning of October 12 we would like to take the train back to Rome for a 5 day visit returning to JFK in New York on the morning of October 17th, 2019 with our flight leaving at 9:35 AM. Any help or suggestions would be very helpful. You should know that all 4 persons traveling at over 65 but young thinking (lol) seniors. At the moment we have made no other hotel or excursion reservation. We really do need some planning help. My name is Bob D.
Posted by
3122 posts
It looks like the basic itinerary you've outlined will work well. You can get lots of ideas for where to stay and any restaurants that will appeal to you from the RS Italy guidebook. You can also browse the Trip Reports and Reviews sections of these forums.
For "most direct, reasonably priced but comfortable transport" you'll want to purchase your train tickets in advance, directly from the Trenitalia site (not a third-party site). On day of arrival, allow plenty of time in case your flight is delayed -- you don't want to miss your train to Florence and forfeit what you've paid for tickets.
Posted by
Chicago
7903 posts
You can book a direct train from Rome airport to Florence the morning of October 2ed. There may be two a day one at 11:08 but double check that as you get closer to the date. Otherwise the ones before that require at least one change of trains in either Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina.
Although it will cost you more money, you should wait until you get to Rome to buy the ticket because you never know if your flight coming in will be delayed causing you to miss a train you purchased advance tickets for.
All of your other trains : Florence to Naples and Naples to Rome, you can buy those before you go between 90 to 120 days in advance.
For those advance purchases I would use https://www.trenitalia.com/
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3177 posts
Train travel in Italy is highly recommended and very affordable. I would suggest visiting Seat 61 website to learn about how the rail system in Italy operates. I’ve always purchased my tickets directly from Trenitalia. You can use the website address given above or download their very easy to use app.
When researching fares and schedules on either one, you must use Italian city names:
Fiumicino - Rome airport
Roma Termini - Rome’s main rr station
Firenze S M Novella - for Florence
Napoli Centrale - for Naples
I’m not certain when schedules for October will be published but I believe it will be in late May or June. Also I see no need to buy first class tickets. Second class is comfortable and arrives at the same time!🚂
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
906 posts
I suggest First Class tickets as well, but you will want to research them and the options.