We might fly (depending on the weight of our bags!) from Venice to Rome where we will be staying for 7 nights (the apartments are most cost-effective that way and we like having a home base even if we go away one night). We will be flying home from Rome.

I am trying to figure out how many days to purchase on a pass but I don't want to fix an itinerary. We will be travelling with 3 kids and need to be flexible. These are the train trips I am contemplating:

1. Maybe Venice down to Rome (length?)
2. Rome to Florence RT
3. Rome to Naples RT
4. Does the train go to the airport requiring another day? We fly out of FCO.

Any other family Rome-based excursion suggestions would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance! I haven't been to Europe in over 20 years and feel a little overwhelmed trying to figure some of these things out.

You don't want a pass. A rail pass is rarely cost effective for Italy and a pass does not include seat reservations which are mandatory on the faster trains (AV/ES/ICPlus/IC). For AV each seat would cost you an additional 20€, ES is 15€. I think an airport train in Rome is only included on a 1st cl pass.

Venice/Rome is about 4 1/2 hours and Rome/Florence, Rome/Naples are about 90 minutes.

To find schedules/prices for trains, use the Italian train system. For all prices to show, enter a date within the next 7 days (schedules/prices only change mid-Dec and mid-July). You should qualify for the family discount which is 20%, but can possible sell out. You can not purchase on Trenitalia with American credit cards.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD

Family discount link.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

Thanks so much - Not to sound dense but if I am not going to buy a pass, do I still buy in advance? How, with only an American credit card?

Yup the non-stop Leonardo Express train Rome Termini (main station) to the airport is first class only - if you have a 2nd class pass you'd have to pay the difference between first and second class fares - but as KentuckyBoubron says you are not traveling enough for a pass to nearly pay off - even though Italian passes currently are on sale for 20% off normal prices. For folks with Eurailpasses who use them in Italy and of course Italian railpasses like bourbon says you still must pay a steep supplement - ironically if you book the supplements thru RailEurope in the U.S. the extra charge is a bit less last time i checked. But for you plans just buy as you go along or buy all your tickets at once in Venice.

Thanks so much. That takes the pressure off to buy before the sale ends 10.31. I don't want to decide now!

BTW, how much is that Leonardo Express from Termini to FCO? We have 2 adults, a youth and 2 kids. I would imagine that price stays fairly consistent. Also, are we going to have to carry a ton of Euros? I know our apartments want Euro cash. I am hoping American credit cards are widely accepted.

I think your kids would enjoy Ostia Antica (easy local train trip from Rome)
In the city be sure to check out the cat sanctuary at Largo Argentina

The Leonardo is 11€ and then you would still need to taxi to your hotel. Taxi from the airport is a set fee of 40€ (includes luggage), but that is for 4 people. A car service might be your best bet (about 50€ for 5 booked in advance).
http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/FiumicinoE.htm