Changing trains in Roma Termini
Sep 23rd, 2013, 05:14 PM
#1
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Changing trains in Roma Termini
We need to travel from Venice SM to FCO airport via Roma Termini. I see that there is only a 12 minute interval between scheduled arrivals of the trains from Venice (if they arrive on time) and the departure of the trains to FCO. Even with tickets in hand, is this a realistic transfer?
Grazie
Paul (goletian)
Grazie
Paul (goletian)
Sep 23rd, 2013, 05:34 PM
#2
If you buy a ticket to FCO in advance, it should be good for a 2 hour window. The Leonardo Express departs for FCO every 20 minutes and travel time is 30 minutes. How much time are you allowing between arriving Rome and your departure flight? If it's an international flight departing from T5, it will take quite a while and a couple of bus rides after you arrive at the airport.
Additionally, Termini is under construction. They are in the process of pushing all the tracks back to enlarge the terminal area. Currently, the Leonardo is departing tracks 23 or 24, but this has changed at time to a distant satellite track.
Additionally, Termini is under construction. They are in the process of pushing all the tracks back to enlarge the terminal area. Currently, the Leonardo is departing tracks 23 or 24, but this has changed at time to a distant satellite track.
Sep 23rd, 2013, 06:38 PM
#3
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Thanks. In other words, if I purchase a ticket for a specific time from Termini to FCO but I miss it, the ticket will be good for trains leaving during the next 2 hours? We are staying near FCO overnight, so no worries about getting there in time for an air departure.
Sep 23rd, 2013, 07:18 PM
#4
Trenitalia says the tickets are valid 90 minutes if bought online. The last ticket I bought at the station was valid for a 2 hour window. That could have changed, but you can check that out in Venice when you buy the ticket. I will say I've had a fast train between Florence/Rome be as much as 1 hour late, but usually they are on time.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
I would not stay near FCO. I would just stay in Rome and enjoy a nice night in Rome.
Here's a map of the terminal. In the drop down box, select piano binari for the track level. The satellite tracks 25/26
are top right (scroll the map to see) just in case the Leonardo gets switched again you will know where they are.
http://www.romatermini.com/it/map/
I would not try to make a 12 minute connection unless the ticket has the time window. It can be a long trek from your train car just to the head of the tracks depending on how far back your particular car is (the fast trains are reserved seating only so you will have a certain seat in a certain car). The Leonardo is an old regional train - no reserved seating, but often it's difficult to get on the first few cars as they can be packed.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
I would not stay near FCO. I would just stay in Rome and enjoy a nice night in Rome.
Here's a map of the terminal. In the drop down box, select piano binari for the track level. The satellite tracks 25/26
are top right (scroll the map to see) just in case the Leonardo gets switched again you will know where they are.
http://www.romatermini.com/it/map/
I would not try to make a 12 minute connection unless the ticket has the time window. It can be a long trek from your train car just to the head of the tracks depending on how far back your particular car is (the fast trains are reserved seating only so you will have a certain seat in a certain car). The Leonardo is an old regional train - no reserved seating, but often it's difficult to get on the first few cars as they can be packed.
Sep 23rd, 2013, 09:30 PM
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I've been told by station workers there's no time limit at all on the transfer window: the last ticket I bought for FCO (new year's day 2013) had no time indicated on it. FWIW, I've never heard of Trenitalia refusing to accept a connecting ticket on this train if the incoming train's late.
If you're worried, THE biggest bottleneck in getting from an intercity train to the airport train is other people (especially luggage-laden tourists from countries where proper trains are an exotic novelty) making a meal of getting off.
If your carriage-mates on the train from Venice seem to include such potential obstructions, get yourself, your travelling partner and your bags to a door 10 minutes before arrival. Once off, it's close to painless and effortless (I'd say 3 minutes max) to get to the front of the train, check thge screens for the FCO departure platform, walk across the six or so platform heads to (usually) 23/24 and get onto the ongoing train.
If you're worried, THE biggest bottleneck in getting from an intercity train to the airport train is other people (especially luggage-laden tourists from countries where proper trains are an exotic novelty) making a meal of getting off.
If your carriage-mates on the train from Venice seem to include such potential obstructions, get yourself, your travelling partner and your bags to a door 10 minutes before arrival. Once off, it's close to painless and effortless (I'd say 3 minutes max) to get to the front of the train, check thge screens for the FCO departure platform, walk across the six or so platform heads to (usually) 23/24 and get onto the ongoing train.
Sep 24th, 2013, 01:39 AM
#6
Be aware that depending on the time of day Termini can be a real mob scene and it has little to do with so-called "tourists from countries where trains are exotic"...the place is busy, period.
Just be aware of where your train to the airport leaves from and make your way there.
Just be aware of where your train to the airport leaves from and make your way there.
Sep 24th, 2013, 06:57 AM
#7
>>>the last ticket I bought for FCO (new year's day 2013) had no time indicated on it.<<<
Did you purchase this ticket online or from a ticket machine? My last two tickets (machine tickets), you selected the time window you wanted (7am-9am), not the actual time/train.
>>>walk across the six or so platform heads to (usually) 23/24 and get onto the ongoing train.<<<
There are more than 6 platform heads (double that).
>>>Be aware that depending on the time of day Termini can be a real mob scene and it has little to do with so-called "tourists from countries where trains are exotic"...the place is busy, period.<<<
Exactly. Rome Termini is one of the busiest train stations in Europe. A lot of commuters, not just tourists.
Did you purchase this ticket online or from a ticket machine? My last two tickets (machine tickets), you selected the time window you wanted (7am-9am), not the actual time/train.
>>>walk across the six or so platform heads to (usually) 23/24 and get onto the ongoing train.<<<
There are more than 6 platform heads (double that).
>>>Be aware that depending on the time of day Termini can be a real mob scene and it has little to do with so-called "tourists from countries where trains are exotic"...the place is busy, period.<<<
Exactly. Rome Termini is one of the busiest train stations in Europe. A lot of commuters, not just tourists.
Sep 25th, 2013, 04:07 PM
#9
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I think I would purchase my Roma Termini to FCO airport train ticket (the Leonardo Express - LE) at a kiosk in the Venice train station when I arrived to board my train from Venice to Rome... surely you'll be waiting 10-15 minutes before boarding. Plenty of time to hit a kiosk and get your FCO tickets.
Since the LE is a regionale train, the tickets bought at the train station are good for two months. Simply ride your first train to Rome, and if can you make the next train to FCO, get on - DON'T FORGET TO VALIDATE the LE ticket before getting on!
As the LE is a regionale train, it never sells out, so tickets from the kiosk in Venice will ALWAYS be available. And since your LE ticket is good for two months, if you miss that first connection, simply get on the next train. They generally leave at 22 and 52 after the hour - more info here: http://tinyurl.com/FCO-LE
There's really no advantage to buying regionale train tickets online in advance. You can only buy them 7 days in advance and then you're "locked" in to a specific train ---- buying at a train station, travel agency, kiosk for example gives you the two month window. Good Luck!
Since the LE is a regionale train, the tickets bought at the train station are good for two months. Simply ride your first train to Rome, and if can you make the next train to FCO, get on - DON'T FORGET TO VALIDATE the LE ticket before getting on!
As the LE is a regionale train, it never sells out, so tickets from the kiosk in Venice will ALWAYS be available. And since your LE ticket is good for two months, if you miss that first connection, simply get on the next train. They generally leave at 22 and 52 after the hour - more info here: http://tinyurl.com/FCO-LE
There's really no advantage to buying regionale train tickets online in advance. You can only buy them 7 days in advance and then you're "locked" in to a specific train ---- buying at a train station, travel agency, kiosk for example gives you the two month window. Good Luck!
Sep 25th, 2013, 09:03 PM
#10
>>>Since the LE is a regionale train, the tickets bought at the train station are good for two months. Simply ride your first train to Rome, and if can you make the next train to FCO, get on - DON'T FORGET TO VALIDATE the LE ticket before getting on!<<<
I don't think that is still the case since you have to select a specific time when purchasing unlike other regional train tickets. I know you don't have to validate these tickets bought online like you do other regional tickets.
I don't think that is still the case since you have to select a specific time when purchasing unlike other regional train tickets. I know you don't have to validate these tickets bought online like you do other regional tickets.
