Is it easier/faster to fly from Rome to Venice or to take the train?? If we take the train, which type do we want and how do we get tickets. If plane, which airline? Alitalia?
Thanks!
Laura

The eurostar train is the best bet. Going to the airport in Rome far enough ahead, flying to Venice, then taking transportation into the city will probably take you even longer and cost you more.

Can't argue with Patrick's answer, but it doesn't answer all your questions. You have several choices for purchasing tickets. I have always simply purchased tickets early in the day that I wanted to travel, by simply going to the train station ("Termini" in the case of Rome). If you prefer to have it out of the way, you could do that 1-2 days before you plan to travel, and you can buy themn at a travel agent, if you prefer better-English-speaking, more service-oriented sales help. American Express is one option; no doubt your hotel will be able to direct you to another agent which is nearer to where you are staying.

Last of all, for completeness' sake, I will mention www.raileurope.com - - or 1-800-4-EURAIL - - which I personally do not recommend. I prefer not to pay the 30-50% surcharge they add to the price of tickets you can just as easily buy in Europe.

Their web site IS a good source of departure times; you may find it less confusing (though, for "lesser" routes, also less complete) than the "true" Italian rail web site - - www.trenitalia.com

The trains arrive in about 4 hrs 30 mins, and there is a choice for (somewhat overpriced) white tablecloth dining service, if you elect first class, on the segment between Florence and Venice.

Best wishes,

Rex

I agree with Rex, except that meals on Eurostar Italia trains are not reserved for first-class passengers. The trains are not all the same design, but in my experience, they have a bar/restaurant car which is available to all passengers, though I'm sure first-class passengers get priority for meals. Normally, a steward comes through the train before meals and takes bookings for seats in the restaurant. The meals aren't cheap, but it's a very agreeable way of travelling.

Hi Laura,

Train schedules and prices are at http://www.trenitalia.com/en/. Nonstop on the ES* takes 4 1/2 hr and costs 67E in 1cl and 44E 2cl.

Bring some sandwiches and a bottle of wine or have lunch in Venice.

If you are merely connecting flights at FCO, obviously it's better to fly to VCE rather than going to Rome Termini and taking the train! If you're visiting Rome, then take one of the Eurostar Italia (ES) trains from Termini Station, which make the run to Venice S. Lucia in 4.5 hrs. ES trains leave every 2 hrs. Schedules and fares at www.trenitalia.com

Hi Laura,

I just took the train from Rome to Venice a couple of weeks ago. When I compared the airfare vs. railfare and the amount of time for air vs. train the logical choice was the train. We opted for first-class tickets on Eurostar.

The 8:55 train takes 4.5 hours Rome to Venice. The next Eurostar takes 5 hours so the total time varies by which train you take (departure time).

You have reserved seats on the ES, although first-class was pretty open. We bought tickets at Termini the day before since there are usually lines and we didn't want to chance standing in line before an early departure.

The lunch on the train is 25E per person so bring snacks. In first class they give you a beverage and a snack (small package of rosemary toastettes), like on a plane.

One interesting thing about the Rome to Venice trip is that the train changes direction in Florence. So, if you have seats facing forward from Rome to Florence, you will then be facing backward from Florence to Venice. I would try to get seats facing forward from Florence to Venice since that is the longest portion of the trip.

The train journey was very nice - lots of good scenery and I'd much rather do the train than dealing with airports.

By the way - I believe all the ticket folks at Termini speak enough English to sell tickets and answer your questions. We had no problem buying the tickets.

DON'T FORGET to validate your ticket on the platform (small yellow machine as you enter the platform). You can be fined if you don't.

adrienne

You don't need to travel in first class on the Eurostar Italia to take lunch in the restaurant car. Luncheon reservations are taken on board, and priority is given to passengers seated in the first class cars. Lunch is expensive, (and there is no discount for first class passengers), so it makes sense to take panini and drinks on board (or you can purchase these as well as hot entrees, coffee, and other snacks at the bar within the restaurant car)

Hi
I flew Rome to Venice a couple of years ago, post 9/11.
The flight was an hour. I took a very early morning flight (7 or 7:30 am, on a weekday.) Flight had many business people. There was no need for me to be at the airport more than aobut 45 minutes before the flight, and I did check my suitcase. A the time, the one way flight was about $100 on Alitalia.

The train is 4.5 or longer, depending on the time of day.

"DON'T FORGET to validate your ticket on the platform (small yellow machine as you enter the platform). You can be fined if you don't."

Actually, for Eurostar trains you do not need to stamp your ticket, as it is only valid for the day and the segment you reserved.
You do need to stamp the tickets for all other trains though.

Federico

Federico is absolutely correct, although many travelers, Americans or otherwise, find it easier to validate (date and time stamp) all tickets and not to remember the exception to the rule for Eurostar trains.

We are flying from Venice to Rome in Dec. for $90 RT. One hour flight and very easy....so don't discount flying. Italy has a budget airline, Volare.

Here is a great website if you want to check prices and times:
http://buy.volareweb.com/en/index.html

hmmm....I just saw that now they have 50 seats everyday for .01 Euro. Maybe, I need a refund!
Cheers,
Jan

OMG!!!!!!!! I just bought our tickets on Volare from Rome to Venice for 0.01 euro!! And tax of 22 euros and 6 euro service fee! So 50 euros total!! Cheaper than the train!!
I cannot believe it!
THANKS FODORITE JAN!
Laura

That's a great deal, but let's not forget you still have costs to get to and from the airports (three times on this round trip). And does Volare require the hour and a half check in time? Adding in allowances for those extra travel and wait times and the extra costs, I'd still take the train.

On a separate note, regarding dining on the train. Are they still allowing smoking at some tables in the dining car? My last couple of meals in Italian dining cars were total smoke-outs. It seems that some smokers hang out in the dining car as long as possible rather than in the second class smoking car.

Patrick,
Thanks, but this will be only one way so we only need to get to the airport in Rome. Either way we have to get from airport in Venice or train station in Venice to hotel.
I am sure either will be fine, but I thought it was cool to buy a one way plane ticket for 0.01 euros (+22euros tax) for an hour ride instead of 67 euros for the train!
30-45 min to airport, 1 1/2 hours at airport, 1 hour on plane...or ?? time to train station, 30 min at train station and 4 1/2 hours on train...
Either way would be fine...
Laura