Maggy

Our last leg of our trip to Italy is in Florence (4 nights) but our flight back to the U.S. departs out of Rome at 10:30 a.m. I noticed the first fast train from Florence to Rome arrives at the station in Rome at 8:30 a.m. Is this cutting it too close to catch a flight back to the U.S. Not sure how long the drive is to the airport from the train station at that time of the morning (weekday). The other option, is to hire a car to drive us from Florence to Rome, but not sure what the cost would be or if this would take even longer. Of course, the other option is to go to Rome the night before and spend our last night there. Any suggestions for what would make more sense?

SusanP

For a trip back to the US, you should be at the Rome airport three hours ahead. Obviously, that train won't get you there in time, as you would still have to get to the airport! You definitely should be in Rome the night before your flight. Even if there were an earlier train, you shouldn't depend on that. It could be late or there could be a strike.

nytraveler

You can do this only i f you drive from Florence to Rome and get up at about 4am.

You need to be at the airport by 7:30 am - so a train pulling into Rome at 8:30 am isn;t going to make it. If the train is late (perfectly possible) you won;t get to the airport until 9:30 - and might well miss the flight.

tedgale

It is too close for my comfort but it is not impossible. But if I may quibble:

1. I know no-one who arrives at Fiumicino 3 hours ahead of a flight. Well, obviously the above posters. But no-one I know personally. I never have and I've flown through there repeatedly.

2. From Termini you don't take a taxi -- you take the 25 minute express train to FCO.

3. Driving from Florence -- which I have also done -- is the most hair-raising because of the roadwork underway on the GRA (Rome ring road), between Flaminia and Aurelia ie exactly the route you must travel. A nightmare. We did it in March -- it took ages!

4. Though I love an adventure, I'd probably stay overnight in Rome if you absolutely CANNOT get to Rome before 830 am.

kadurk49

And if you depend on the train you have to always wonder if they will go on strike. It does happen. Get to Rome the night before.

vincenzod

Absolutely, in Rome the night before and enjoy it, of course !

Vincenzo

ira

HI M,

> the first fast train from Florence to Rome arrives at the station in Rome at 8:30 a.m. Is this cutting it too close?<

Yes.

If you are leaving from Rome in the AM, your last night should be in Rome or the vicinity of FCO.

The Holiday Inn EUR Parc Medici has shuttle service to FCO and to downtown.

It is an international style hotel with all of the mod cons and a very, very good bkfst.

Enjoy your visit.

Maggy

Thank you so much for the responses. The choice is clear; I'll spend the last night enjoying Rome and not have to stress about getting to the airport on time.