So we book a train to Florence from Rome's airport at 9:15 and our flight lands at 8:00. It appears the time is too short to make the train. We booked through Rick Steve's suggested online train ticket service. Anyone have experience with how easy/difficult it is to change train times?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15829 posts
Michael, it depends on what type of ticket you purchased. If you landed a super-economy fare, you'll have to eat the cost and buy new tickets, if it's economy, you can make the change but have to pay a fee. If you paid base fare, you can change them at no cost. This might be helpful as it breaks down the ticket types:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/html/frecciarossa_en/Info_Tariffe_en_LeFrecce.html
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23297 posts
....if it's economy, you can make the change but have to pay a fee......
There is NO feee to change an economy ticket. Assuming that another economy is not available then you pay the difference between the economy ticket and the base fare ticket. You can change the economy ticket once and it be before the train leaves the station.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32216 posts
I agree that your time to make that connection is extremely tight and perhaps not possible (depending on circumstances at the time). That's generally the reason many here DON'T recommend buying a train ticket to connect with an inbound flight. Tickets for the fast trains are specific to train, date and departure time and if you miss the train for any reason, your ticket is worthless and you'll have to buy another at full cost (Base Fare).
What date is this trip taking place? Using an arbitrary date, I only see a departure at 09:12 with one connection at Roma Tiburtina. That's an important point to note!!! There are two rail systems servicing the airport, the Leonardo Express and the FM/FR-1. If using the connection mentioned above, you'll be using the FM/FR-1, so be sure to board the correct train! Another important point is that you MUST validate the ticket for the first train prior to boarding, or risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
It would help to have more details on what you've booked, such as the train numbers and what class of ticket you have (Super Economy, Economy or Base). Even with a Base ticket which allows changes, that may mean standing in a queue at the ticket office for an indeterminate time to book new tickets. That would not be one of my favourite activities after a long international flight which is why I always buy tickets when I arrive in Rome even though the cost is higher.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Exchange and refund rules should be printed on the ticket. The mid-priced Economy/Semi-Flexible fares can only be exchanged at a station in Italy before the scheduled train departure. This is the description that's in our Rail Europe shopping cart for the Italian full/flexible/base fares.
Exchange/Refund Policy:
Ticket can be exchanged before train's departure at the train station in Italy. Ticket can be exchanged once up to 1 hour after train departure. Tickets that are valued at more than 10 Euros are 80% refundable before train departure. Refunds are only available when all tickets for an entire party (booked together) are returned for a refund. When a refund is requested for part of the travel party all tickets will be refunded. Travelers who still wish to travel will need to rebook their tickets. To receive a refund you must send a request to the issuing office. Refunds are subject to a 7% administrative fee per ticket.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15829 posts
Assuming that another economy is not available then you pay the
difference between the economy ticket and the base fare ticket
Yes, that's a better explanation and I should have been more clear. Thanks, Frank.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thanks for all of the feedback. Yeah it looks like we're going to have to eat the cost of the tickets. We booked super-economy...a 9:15 this Saturday out of Tiburtina on a Frecciarossa train. Lesson learned!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32216 posts
michael,
Miracles are always possible! Pack along your advance purchase tickets anyway. Who knows, the planets may align perfectly and you could be among the first to deplane, first through Passport control and able to find the way to the FCO rail station quickly. If you don't make it, just buy new tickets from the Kiosk at Roma Tiburtina. There are frequent departures to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, so you won't have to wait long. The ticket for the train from FCO to Tiburtina should be still be valid, even if you're a bit late. I'd ask a Conductor just to be sure.
As you may know, tickets for the Freccia trains are specific to train, date and departure time and can only be used on the ONE train specified on the ticket. You'll have assigned seating for those trains.