Check in time for Rome Termini
 

I thought I saw a thread on this subject before but can't find it now of course. We have a 9:00 AM Eurostar train to catch in Rome on a Sunday morning. How much time should we allow to find the right track and get on board? We already have tickets. I'm thinking that this station must be huge. Thanks.

Rome termini is big, but it's not so big you will get lost or anything. I think 1/2 an hour early is plenty of time to arrive. When you arrive at the station just find the big board on the wall with all the departures (not difficult to find) and this will tell you what track you are on. After that all you have to do is punch your ticket in the yellow box at the end of each track, find your track and get on the train.

Yes, you could probably find your train in 10-15 minutes, no problem. But since the station is new to you, allow extra time for mixups, unforeseen problems, and peace of mind. Scullysioux's 1/2 hour seems right.

No one can be faulted for recommending 30 minutes; however, in reality, as long as you don't get lost or become confused (which is highly unlikely), you could board the train as late as 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure. All seats are reserved; all you need to do is find the correct train and correct rail car within the train. On Eurostar, you don't need to punch your ticket, as it is valid only on that specific train and date (you can punch it if you wish). If your rail car is at the far end of the train, you may have to walk as much as 1000 feet from the start of the binario (track). If you have lots of heavy luggage, allow more time, especially if you want to store it in the special luggage racks at the ends of the rail car, which might be full if you arrive last. Occasionally, there are last minute changes to the assigned track, which are announced by loudspeaker, but which many people fail to hear because of the noise factor, disattention, incomprehension of Italian and/or bad pronunciation of English by announcer, or a faulty loudspeaker. You may proceed to the track indicated on the master board, only to find a different train waiting to depart. Then you will PANIC and ask everyone in sight where to find the correct train. This is the principal reason to arrive early.

Hi Im,

For unfamiliar stations I allow 3/4 to 1 hr. The worst thing that will happen is you will have a cuppa while waiting.

As GAC says, sometimes they change the tracks, and it's helpful to be familiar with the station.

Just a note on punching a ticket for a Eurostar train...I would punch it regardless. I was sitting next to someone on a Eurostar train that HAD NOT punched their ticket and was fined. Better to be safe than sorry.

My basic rule when traveling in Italy is to allow for extra time for those 'just in case' situations. I just don't like feeling any anxiety on my vacation so I would arrive about 1/2 hour before departure time. My husband loves the thrill of 'barely making it' and this has caused more than one argument in various train stations and airports around the world. The train station is very manageable and logically set up but minimize your stress and arrive early.

Im, go at least 30 minutes early.. and if you are in doubt to which track to go, do like i always do, put a big smile in your face and ask somebody that works there to help you...Romans love to feel needed..It always works for me, even with the haughty Parisiens....

It is helpful to know just a couple of facts..the train's intermediate band final destinations; the time it is scheduled to leave and the train number...ALL of these will be on that big train board along with the track (binario) number..the rest is a breeze and will be for you, too as soon as you've done it just one time.

Thanks everyone. That was great info. I've heard different reports as to whether or not to validate the ES tickets but I think we will do so anyway as CSROE suggested. I think this was finally my last question. We leave the 14th and this site has been tremendously helpful in several areas. I'm going to miss checking in every day but maybe I will be able to provide some insight to other travellers upon our return so that will give me the excuse to sign on. Ciao all!!

If I already have my train tickets do I still need to have them validated before I board? Someone told me this today and I usually don't take the trains in Italy so now I am confused.

I have two IC trains and two Eurostar trains, with only one reserved so far.

Also factor it that these trains are very loooong and walking down the platform to your reserved car may take up to 10 min if you're really loaded down with luggage.

Im,

Half an hour early should do it. An hour early would let you locate (see) your train and maybe do some shopping before you get on board -- a good idea, as the Rome Termini has a great selection of shops (books, food, wine, etc.) all within a trainlength of the platforms.

Hi Natalia,

Yes, you must validate your tickets on all trains except ES*.

On ES* trains you have a reserved-seat ticket good only for that train.

On all other trains you have a ticket that can be used at any time. That is why it has to be stamped.

Thanks Ira, I hate to be so ignorant about this, but do I tear out the ticket from the packet and then just stick it into the validating machine?
So I don't have to do any human contact with the personnel there?

I will be on a time constraint that is why I am now getting concerned. The reserved part is from Rome to Naples.

Hi to All,
I have a quick question, it's kind of related. Can I buy a reserved ES train ticket in Rome and hold onto it for a week before using it? How often does the Eurostar depart? Hourly?
Thanks

On the route ROme-Naples there is an ES every 2 hrs on average. When you buy a ticket for an ES you need to specify the date and the hour you want to depart, so you cant hold the place for a week or so. Better not to get the ticket if you are not sure. OR, second alternative, you can get the ticket for a certain date and hour and BEFORE DEPARTURE (better a couple of days or a day before the original departure), if you need to change date or time of departure you go to the station and you can make another reservation. I guess you will pay just the new reservation which is about 3 euros per person.

You may want to keep this in mind. Unlike NA train stations, in Termini trains constantly come and go. It could be that your ES will arrive 15 minutes or less before departure AND that there is another train on the track just prior to it's arrival so be careful!. I like to get there 1/2 hour early, mainly because of traffic on the way to the station. The station is large but very easy to navigate. Just keep you eye peeled on the black electronic schedule board to see what track the train will arrive/depart from. This track may well not be assigned until 10 minutes prior to departure time. You can also ask at the information desk. They speak English and often can tell you the track number before it actually gets posted on the board.

Hi Natalia,

Yes. Remove the ticket from the packet, stick it in the yellow box, wait for it to go "chunk" and check to see that it has been stamped.

There will be people entering the gates ahead of you. Just watch what they do.

Enjoy your trip.

Hi cemcem,

You can buy an ES* ticket as long as 60 days in advance.