Is Rome worth price/time?

For your schedule, yes, Rome is too far. Three full days (with no travel) is a minimum for Rome IMO. You don't have that, so skip it this time. Instead stay in Northern Italy - maybe a day in Verona, Padua, or Bologna and two days in Florence or Milan.

I agree with Brad - that is a lot to take in on one short trip. I'd stay in Venice a little longer and/or hit a few northern Italian cities. Maybe make your way to Milan to fly home. Persoanally I'd only save a day for Milan, but some people love it.

Only you can answer this question. Is it worth it to you and your children to take a train for four hours for as little as 19 euro (super economy/person) from Venice to Rome. I am an advocate of very slow travel but if this a trip of a lifetime, I would go for it. It might instill a desire in your children to travel in the future.

My daughter is still complaining because I always say Rome is too far to include! If you only have 5 days, then you would have 2 days in Venice and 2 days in Rome, and most of 1 day spent getting to/from Rome. In my experince, you can cover quite a bit in 2 days if you plan ahead and don't mind a rigorous schedule. If you really think this will be your only chance, I say go for it. I keep putting it off, because I believe that one day we (or at least my daughter) will get there.

If time is of the essence, why not fly from Venice to Rome? Easyjet will get you there in 65 minutes and they're currently showing a one-way weekday fare of just $42. The train will eat up half a day.

Assuming you mean that you have two full days in Venice (not including any travel time), then I say Go For It! For as little as €19, and easily as little as €29, per person, you can make the 3h45m trip. Get to Rome in time to grab lunch at the station's McDonalds, if that would make the kids happy campers, then hit the taxi stand outdoor (if necessary) and your bags off at your hotel and start touring! I don't know your travel dates, but the (very general) places you mentioned shouldn't be expensive at all; in fact, perhaps pretty darn cheap!!! What are your travel dates, and how many adults and kids (and the kids ages)? The stress level can be kept down if everyone only has one bag and you're getting rest while you're traveling. I'm sure you know your family's triggers ;-)

The end of July to August. Kids will be 11, 14, and a young adult. I thought it was 5-6 hours from what I've read.

I took my 9 year old grandson to Rome a few years ago and we only had 3 days and I am so glad we went. He really wanted to and that was all the time we could fit in, but we saw a lot... all the usual highlights, and he was totally happy with all we saw. Not a lot in depth, but enough for him and me... and now he has a reason to return if he wants to. We used the hop on hop off bus and we were there in July. It was hot and crowded and spectacular. He is half Italian and this was really important to him, so if your kids really want to get a 'taste of Rome' I would work it out. It's hard to be so close and then miss it.

Kristen, the train will only take 4 hours from Venice to Rome. I can't imagine going to Italy and not going to Rome, but that's my priority. The dilemma seems to be save it for another time/what if there is no other time? Go for Rome!

Booked Hotel in Rome. Thanks for everyone's great advice!!

The end of July to August. Kids will be 11, 14, and a young adult. I thought it was 5-6 hours from what I've read.

Rome is a blockbuster of sights. 2 days would notbe enuf to expereince much. Save the euros for another trip to Rome where 5 days is a in.
Padua, Verona are easy dattrips from Venice but I have spent 5 days in Venice and still was not bored. Adjacent Mestre can save you lotsa euros if multiple days in Venice gets too costly. We stayed at Hotel Novotel in Mestre with shuttle to Venice. They have superb deals for families with incredible breakfasts and a swimming pool that kids love during hot summer.

Gosh, I would absolutely skip Venice or just do one night/day there, is nice, its good to see,its beautiful, its romantic, BUT it is not nearly as valuable historically/educationally for kids to see as ROME,, no comparision.

You will not regret it! Have fun!

I've booked 3 nights in Rome, 2 in Venice, a week in Austria and we will wrap up our trip with 2 days in Fussen Germany. Thanks for all insights.