Waiting at Roma Termini for Frecciarossa

There are numerous trains from FCO to Florence that are earlier and all involve Roma Termini (or Tiburtina). Some have brief changes (15 minutes or so). You will be waiting around for a nonstop instead of an easy change. Pick the journey that has the longest comfortable change time. Do this by looking at the total route time and those with 1 change. That should give you an idea of how much time you have to make a connection. Regardless, if you miss you should always be able to catch the next one (someone correct me on this if wrong).

I definitely want to take the Frecciarossa from Rome to Florence. Is it necessary to book the train in advance to ensure I get a seat? I've applied for a CartaFreccia card so I can get the senior discount. I'll be traveling Business Class.

Kaktherine, I just want to make sure you know that the train company operates a dedicated FCO/Termini Express shuttle train that does nothing else all day, and that does not require reservations on the Trenitalia site. (Of course you are not guaranteed a seat if reservations are not needed. But you must have been to Cleveland or Chicago, where the SUBWAY goes to the airport! Look up the weekday (?) morning frequency of that special service.

If you think about your journey as starting at Termini an hour after you finish Immigration (and negligible time Customs), does the trip seem any better to you? Why do you need a non-stop Frecciarossa (or are all the Freccia's to Florence non-stop?? - the point is that it's the equipment that's fast, not the lack of stops!) The conventional trains go slower AND make more stops.

I admit that I have not been to Termini in twelve years. But I grew up in NYC and go there once a week for museums or whatever. Since violent street crime is MUCH less common in Europe, I don't see why a few shady characters (amongst anti-terrorist police with long guns and armor, for goodness sake) are terrorizing you. If you saw how often Internet-nonsense scares central New Jersey and Connecticut residents about coming into NYC for the day, you might understand what I'm saying. I mean, I see three to six homeless people every time I go to Manhattan. They rarely even ask me for money. Why are people afraid of them? Guys offer me rap CDs on the street, but I know enough to refuse to touch them. I have not seen an "Immigrant" who did NOT look like he was working for a living, in the last five years.

It is perfectly true that advance-purchase discount Frecciarossa tickets are not changeable, but some of their higher fares are changeable. How much longer do the conventional trains take? I've been on a Frecciarossa that had no air conditioning ... .... On many domestic conventional trains, you would not need to know which train you are going to use the ticket on, if you buy the right one.

Yes, all Frecciarossa trains should be booked in advance and the ticket is valid only on the specific train (think like an airplane ticket). There are several types of tickets, the cheaper ones (Economy and SuperEconomy) cannot be changed, the more expensive ones (Base fare) can be changed within some rules.

https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-italy.htm#how-to-buy-tickets

I was in Italy in April this year and visited Roma Termini multiple times either traveling through or to meet up with a friend who was arriving in Rome. I never felt unsafe at Roma Termini either inside or outside in the immediate neighborhood - most of the time I am traveling solo. As with any large city, I stay aware of my surroundings. The station has restaurants upstairs and a shopping area so it's an easy place to spend time in if you need to wait for your next train.

I've been to Termini numerous times, with family and solo, and have never felt unsafe. You might be bored being there so long, though. You don't say when you are traveling, but there are usually several Frecciarossa trains from Roma Termini to Firenze SMN a day, June 25 for example after 11am: 11:10, 11:35, 12:10, 12:36, 1:10, etc.

I was in Rome Termini last week for a Frecciarrossa to Florence. My last trip to Rome was 10 years ago. Rome Termini is 100% improved since then--it was very clean, trains were running on time, and there were lots of good food options. We hung out at the Eataly cafe on the upper floor for almost 2 hours. Yes, you should book your Frecciarrossa tickets far in advance for best prices and seating options.

You are getting way too much advice up thread. Lets keep this simple. There are NO non-stop trains. All trains have intermediate stops -- just a question of how many. Fast train trains have fewer. The bigger question is if the train is direct. Trains between larger cities are often direct but changing trains is not a big deal and no different changing airport. You get off, find the new platform, and get on the train at the correct time. AND do not buy ticket until you are in the airport.

If I was you, this is what I would do. Get through immigration, customs, and your luggage if checked. Go to the train station at the airport -- easy -- follow the signs. At the ticket booth buy your ticket to Termini AND your on going ticket to Florence. The ticket agent will advice you of the best times. I would allow thirty minutes in Termini to find your next platform and to walk there. The ticket agent may know the platform when you purchase the tickets. Make it 45 minutes, to hit the grocery store in Termini to buy some snacks and refreshments for the train. Then go meet your train. Your ticket will come with a seat reservation. You will have both a seat number and train car number. When the conductor checks your ticket ask him the name of the stop just prior to Florence. That why you will know when to get ready to exit at the next stop. Train is easy and simple. Don't make it complicated. Take your time. There is something like 50 trains a day between Rome and Florence. You can find one you like.

The Leonard Express into Rome's termini is open seating and that ticket has to be validate or time stamped. Ask the ticket agent to point to the box.

I've applied for a CartaFreccia card so I can get the senior discount.
I'll be traveling Business Class.

When is this trip?
Just wanted to stay that some here have had good luck and have received their card in a timely manner, others not so much. But the discounts are not that great so not really a big deal. I have never felt the need to travel Business class- the Freccia trains are quite comfortable and for a trip of just 1.5 hours- doesn't seem worth the extra cost. YMMV.

Another reason- you will be purchasing your ticket to Florence on the day of travel so you will be paying Base Rate.

The Leonardo Express runs from FCO to Termini- every 15 min- takes 32 min. You do not need to buy this ticket in advance- no advantage at all. Once you have landed, have cleared passport control, have your luggage head to the train station in FCO- you can buy your tickets at a kiosk, at the ticket window or use the Trenitalia app.
Get a ticket for the next Leonardo Express and a ticket from Termini to Florence. (Station names Roma Termini, Firenze SM Novella)
Make sure you give yourself enough time to change at Termini- 30 minutes should be fine- 45 if you need a pit stop.
You can play around with Trenitalia app or website now to see how many train time choices you will have.
Fast trains run from Termini to Florence almost every 30 min so you will have plenty of options. All fast train tickets come with a reserved seat.
A "direct" train just means no changes, there will usually be stops- no need to worry about having a "non stop" train- few exist anyway. (That 1:53 train is not a "non-stop"- it is a direct- no changes.)

Watch the board for your train track- often won't show up til 10 -15 min before departure time. Know your Train #

As far as worrying at about safety at Termini- well- as long as you know your safe travel practices you will be fine. Don't accept "help" from anyone, keep your valuables hidden deep on your person, stay aware of your surroundings. etc. I have never felt unsafe at any train station in Italy or elsewhere to be honest.

I've never seen anything distressing at Roma Termini and we have spent quite a bit of time there on various trips. See if this website and its many photos of the station and a station map helps: https://www.seat61.com/stations/rome-termini.htm

Termini is big and can be overwhelming, so plan on taking some time to figure it out both before you are there and while you are there. Not a time to try for a short layover between trains. I do always find it a bit unnerving that the track your train is leaving from doesn't appear on the board until a few minutes before the train is scheduled to leave, but maybe someone more familiar with the trains to Florence can tell you they are usually leaving from track such-and-such.

We actually love to eat at the Mercato Centrale at the station when on our way from the airport to some other town in Italy. If you need a quick snack or lunch.

The train from FCO to Termini is great. Actually, train travel in Italy has been uniformly great in our experience, except for the two times there was a train strike. Much better than public transportation in the US.

.....Regardless, if you miss you should always be able to catch the next one (someone correct me on this if wrong)........ Marc, you are wrong. If you miss the train and it is your fault, the discount tickets (Super Econ, and Econ) are dead tickets. The base ticket can be exchanged for 90 minutes after the train departs. This is why you DO NOT buy tickets for your arrival day. If it is Regionale train ticket then you can use that ticket on any Regionale train headed in the correct direction. After it is validated you have four hours to complete your journey on a Regionale train.

unnerving that the track your train is leaving from doesn't appear on the board until a few minutes before the train is scheduled to leave, That is not completely accurate. The departure platform should be posted around 30 minutes prior unless the train begins there and it will be posted for an hour. Kind of like the gate situation at airports. I don't go down to the platform until 10 to 15 minutes and to be when I can easily see a departure board. Generally you are safe at the 15 min mark especially at termini style stations.

Frank- I think you mean to say:

This is why you DO NOT buy tickets IN ADVANCE for your arrival day.

A well known food tour person, Elizabeth Minchilli (transplanted American), lives in Rome and is frequently on the train. She recently posted on social media that there is a new Business Class lounge at Termini and it is very nice.

It is perfectly true that advance-purchase discount Frecciarossa tickets are not changeable

Advance purchase Economy tickets can be changed once:

https://www.trenitalia.com/en/offers/the_economy_ticket.html

Note that there is a competing rail line, Italotreno, that also offers frequent high-speed service between Rome Termini and Florence, often at prices lower than Trenitalia, and often with more flexible terms for making changes.

We had Business class tix on Trenitalia from Florence to Rome, bought them a few days in advance and were only 2 Euro more than first class. Very comfortable and spacious, and a drink and snack were included.

Great advice, thanks so much. I should have added that I've traveled extensively in the Veneto and am used to the train procedures and protocols (stamping tix, finding the binario, etc...), and misstated about the 1:53 from FCO to SM Novella. I know it stops but doesn't involve changing trains, which the others do. According to the Trenitalia website most trains have one change and fewer have two. I usually fly into Venice and getting from the airport to the hotel is easy via Alilaguna. So the airport to Rome to Florence is going to be new to me. The distressing stories about pickpockets and stolen luggage come from Reddit, which I'm beginning to believe has more negative anecdotes and less real advice. I'm grateful to have the knowledge found here. My last challenge will be to find a seat facing forward. I'm one of those who gets motion sickness from the rotation of the earth and can't ride backwards... I have taken the Frecciarossa from Venice to Florence and really just liked the experience. Again, thanks so much!

Over the years we have spent at least three weeks, maybe four, in Rome and therefore at lot of time in Termini. I don't think the pickpockets are any worse than anywhere else in Europe. In all of our travels we have never had a problem but do take some precautions and maintain a low profile. And we have always used the luggage bins by the door with no problems saving the overhead rack for the day bag. I think pickpockets and luggage theft get a lot of discussion but don't how serious the problem really is. I suspect the subject is overblown.

When you buy your ticket your seat is automatically assigned. Not sure how you guarantee a forward facing seat. Maybe the ticket agent can help when you purchase your ticket.

If you needed to wait, my friend waited at the Roma Termini Terrace for her afternoon train (no changes between Termini and the destination, instead of 2 more changes and multiple buses, so it made sense).....nothing scary

I am always going to buy the "NEXT" train (or maybe the second if it has less changes) when I arrive into FCO. There is no need to wait around for hours to save yourself 5 min of walking unless you are SEVERELY limited. And oh goodness, Termini is a WAY better place to wait than at FCO for ANY train, as I don't think there is much at the FCO station.

Take the Leonardo Express + Freccia train to Florence :)