Rome to Florence for the weekend

The express train might be worth it if you're really pressed for time - I've taken it before although it only saves you about 30 minutes. If money is an issue, I wouldn't bother. As far as buying tickets, I usually just head over there the day before and get my ticket out of the machine. It depends on when you're there - if it's during a holiday or high travel season, you may want to get it the day before, but odds are there will be plenty of seats available.

The regular train ride between Rome and Florence is only 2 hours, not too long at all for a weekend trip.

Tried to post earlier but the boards were down. The express train (Eurostar Italia) takes about 90 minutes and costs 62 euro for 1st class and 44 euro for second class. The slower trains take 3-4 hours and cost about half as much. So it depends on how much of a hurry you are in. There isn't enough substantial difference between 1st and 2nd class to justify the difference in price. The Eurostar trains do require advanced reservations, but as I recall, advance means something like have your tickets 30 minutes before the train leaves. U.S. credit cards rarely work on the italian rail website, so buying when you get there is best.

Terri, My choice would be second class tickets on the EuroStar Italia/Alta Velocita. I feel that's a good combination of value and travel speed. As the others have said, unless it's a holiday or other "special occasion", you should be fine buying your tickets the day prior to travel. You could buy your return tickets at the same time (or even when you arrive at Firenze S.M.N.). Which tour are you taking? Happy travels!

Sounds like you'll be heading straight from the Rome airport to Florence. You can buy your tickets at the airport, either at the Italian railway or travel agent booths on the platform where the Leonardo Express departs. You'll have the option of taking a regional train to Rome Tiburtina station and then changing to either a regional or intercity train to Florence. Total cost airport to Florence is 26 euro for regional and 44 euro for intercity, compared to 58 euro for Leonardo Express to Termini and then high speed train to Florence. Total travel times are 5 hours, 4 hours and 2.5 hours respectively. I find the route through Rome Tiburtina to be a great option if only going as far as Orvieto (just did that in May), but not such a great option if going to Florence. The Tiburtina route is definitely a doable and cost saving option though. I'd suggest waiting until you reach Florence to buy your return tickets to Rome, especially if for the high speed train requiring reservations. You should have no problem getting tickets on Saturday or even Sunday morning. I always maximize my flexibility by buying a ticket for the next departing train when I arrive at the train station on my day of travel, and have never had a problem.