I need advice on whether it is better to reserve train tickets from Rome Termini to Spoleto or wait until we arrive at the train station? We are flying into Rome and going straight to train station to go out to Umbria, so we want to have the most efficient plan possible. Other train related advice would be appreciated to -- online/offline purchase options for advance tickets? reserved seating availability? First class vs. second class? Best way to get to Termini from Da Vinci airport? Thanks!

Goodmorning, Jenni <BR>1. Probably would be a good idea to purchase your tickets ahead of time <BR>to save time upon arrival in Rome. <BR>2. Either 1st or 2nd class travel is <BR>good, however both can be crowded on <BR>weekends and holidays. Personally have <BR>always taken 1st class with the seat <BR>reservation suppliments, but that is <BR>up to your personal wants. After all <BR>both classes arrive at the same time, <BR>First class can sometimes be much less <BR>crowded <BR>3. Getting from Aeroporto di Roma to <BR>Romes Termini Station is best done by <BR>the train which goes from Fiumicino to <BR>the Termini and check into www.adr.it/ <BR>for additional information. IT rail <BR>is on www.fs-on-line.ut/..Have a good <BR>trip, Richard of LaGrange Park, Ill.

Jenni: <BR> <BR>When I've traveled in Italy, I buy train tickets on day of travel or occassionally, a few days ahead (over there, either @ station or at travel agency). Only time I suggest purchasing advance tickets would be if you're traveling during high season of summer or if you're landing (w/that jet lag stupor) and immediately taking train to another city. Or possibly in your circumstance, if you're headed to Spoleto during the jazz festival? (they still have that, don't they?) <BR> <BR>If you check on website for Italy's rail at http://www.trenitalia.it/ you can view schedule to find most suitable time for you. Rome to Spoleto run is only 1 hr. 13 minutes on the Eurostar, costing 30,300 lire for 1st class & 22,400 for 2nd class. For such a quick trip, second class is fine. Alternatively, you may opt for first class as the price difference (about $4 USD) is negligible and so, what the heck. <BR>

Thanks for your replies, Tina and Richard -- have either of you purchased tickets at the web sites which you mentioned?

Nope. Never bought Italy rail tickets on-line or outside of the country, that is outside of Italy. I do know that sometimes the websites can be difficult (sort of like the search function on THIS site).

Jenni- <BR> <BR>You can buy train tickets from CIT tours (http://www.cit-tours.com/). Their phone number is on the site too, I believe. I found it mandatory to have already bought tickets AND SEAT RESERVATIONS for our first trip when we just got off the plane--those we got from CIT. The others we got while in Italy, but a few days ahead of each planned date of travel. The reservations were important because, unless it is a regional or local train, a ticket does not guarantee you a seat! And besides, we wanted to make sure we could sit in the non-smoking section. <BR> <BR>Liz

We had Rail passes but opted to make specific train and seat assignments before we left the states. We were really glad that we did as every train we had reserved was compltely full and the conductors came around to check that everyone was in their reserved seat. Because of that some people were left to stand the entire time and this does not make for a pleasant ride...... <BR>I'm not sure that this is the case on every route but for us it was a really good decision and we were glad that we had spent the few extra dollars to rserve the seats!!