I have read much about this, but am still skeptical. My DH and I went to Italy in 2004 and we bought our train tickets a few days in advance after landing buy airplane. Now my girlfriends and I are travelng and taking a train immediately after we arrive. Do you advise getting a Eurostar reservation/ticket sent to us in the states prior to going to Italy - versus hoping there are seats on a Eurostar the day we arrive by plane? (traveling on a Friday from Rome to Florence) Thank you!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32325 posts
Peg,
I would have suggested the same method that Frank did. There are ticket booths at Fiumicino, so you could buy your tickets there after you land. These will include reservations, which will probably be required. Don't forget to validate!
You might want to check shedules at bahn.de so you have an idea which trains will be departing from Termini at about the time you plan to arrive there. Be sure to allow extra time, as there may be a delay of 45 min. to an hour between the time you buy your tickets at the airport and the time you're actually at Termini waiting to board the train to Florence.
The Leonardo Express runs at regular intervals, but there could be a short wait until it departs the airport (which was the case when I was there last as I must have reached the station just after the train departed, so had to wait for the next one). The trip to Termini is about 30-min.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19238 posts
I'll let the Italy rail experts advise you on the chances of getting a seat at the last minute, but let me remind you that airlines are late a lot of the time. You might not make your reserved train.
If you can get your ticket online in advance from Italian Rail (Trenitalia), fine. You can probably save 20% with an Amica fare. If you get it in Italy, it will cost you €36,10 (about $48 today). Avoid getting your ticket from a stateside seller (like RailEurope) because they mark up the ticket above European price. A ticket for the same train that costs $48 purchased over there costs $59 (plus some shipping) if purchased from RE.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
There are trains from Rome to Florence constantly. As Lee says, you can't be sure your plane will land on schedule. I wouldn't worry at all about buying your tickets upon arriving at the train station in Rome. At worst, you get to enjoy a cappuccino while you wait half an hour.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23562 posts
There is something like two or three trains an hour to Florance -- not all Eurostar but the Eurostar is not important because the distance is short and the time difference is well less than hour. Buy your ticket at the airport when you buy the Leonard Express ticket.
Posted by
OP
Milwaukee
11 posts
Yay! OK y'all have convinced me. Thank you.