I am having a problem understanding the information on the trenitalia site. I sent an e-mail to their help desk and received some answers which still were not clear. I therefore am turning to this board in the hope that someone will be able to help me. Here are my questions :

1) I will be arriving by plane into Rome and need to take a train the same day into Firenze. When I check the train schedule I see that most of them are ES (Eurostar) trains. Does that make sense?

2) Is it necessary to have a reservation on the ES trains? Is so, what happens if you miss a train (i.e. how do I decide which train to book if I am not sure if my plane arrives on time, etc.)?

3) How does the ticketless option work and is that the better option for me?

Many thanks in advance to all !!

Flame - Yes - most Rome-Florence trains are Eurostars.

No need to book in advance as trains on this route are very frequent - just book a Fiumicino-Florence ticket at the FCO ticket office when you arrive. They will book you on the next available train. (Your booking includes seat reservation).

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thank you Steve.

Do I understand you correctly? FCO - is that the Rome airport terminal? Can I book a train at the airport rather than having to wait to get to the Rome Termini? And if I miss the train they book me on, what then?

Thanks again......

Yes - FCO is the Rome airport station.

And yes, you can book there - no need to join another queue at Roma Termini.

You won't miss the train they book you on - they allow transfer time at Roma Termini.

Just don't go for a Big Mac

Steve

Some details you may want to know.

1. The train from the airport arrives at the most remote track in Termini so if you see a baggage cart, grab it because it's a long walk to the main station. If you are not fit, there are moving sidewalks on the lower level.

2. When you arrive in Termini, Firenze almost certainly will not appear on the departure signs. Note the number of your train and look for that or you can go to any of the many departure boards (partenze) in the station and find the train. This will also give you the track that the train normally operates on; you will still want to refer to the overhead departure notices in case of a change.

3. If you go the track normally assigned to that train you will find boards that show the make up of the train and the positions of the cars which will make it much easier when boarding time arrives.

4. Don't forget to validate your ticket in one of the yellow boxes before getting on the train.

5. Depending on the time of day you are travelling, you may want to consider first class over second. Second is often packed and noisey and a little bit of room and quiet might be appreciated after a long flight. The cost difference is generally not significant. If you choose to do this, be sure and tell the ticket agent that you want first class before he/she begins to issue the ticket otherwise they will lecture you on proper ordering procedure.

Hi F,

Good advice above.

ES* trains are reservation only. When you buy your ticket you get a reserved seat.

If it turns out that the agent is too busy, uninterested or just plain surly to sell you the Rome TE/Florence SMN ticket, you can get one at the Rome TE station.

If you want to buy your ticket in advance, leave 4 hr from the time your plane is scheduled to land, you will make your Rome/Florence train.

We were scheduled to arrive at FCO at 08:00. We had tickets on the 12:30 train. We arrived at the head of the tracks at Rome TE at 11:30.

If you are too early, the Rome train station has a nice self-serve cafeteria where you can settle down, have a light lunch and get into the mood of being in Italy.

You want the ticketless option. You will get an email with a confirmation number, bring that confirmation, your passport and the same credit card on the train with you. You will not need a ticket.

It's really easier than it might seem.

Most important: You will be in Italy - do not expect everything to go smoothly and you will not be disappointed.

Have a great visit.

Steve - thanks for clarifications and don't worry - No McD's !!!

rfb - thanks for your comments. Worried about what you write regarding train arriving on very far track. Not for me but travelling with 76 year old Mom who can't walk a lot. Will this be a problem? Can you estimate distance?

Ira - thanks for your suggestions as well. All good. I appreciate them. I may indeed make my reservation in advance, use the ticketless option, and give myself 4 hours from time of arrival (we are also due to arrive around 8:30 A.M.).

Re being in Italy - I know, I know. I have been many times and I "understand" the way things work there. This is the first time, however, that I have come upon a train schedule that shows mostly ES trains, have never taken one before.

Thanks again

Hi F,

>... a train schedule that shows mostly ES trains, have never taken one before.<

They are just like other trains, only nicer and more likely to be on time.

You don't have to validate your ticket on an ES* train since all seats are reserved.

Make sure that you are in the right car and the right seat.

Hi Ira,

Oh it is very clear to me that the ES trains are exactly what you wrote - i.e. faster, and more efficient. The one question I still have that no one seems to know, or answer, is "what happens if I have a ticketless (or other type) ticket for a specific train on a specific day and time and I MISS IT?" What happens then? Do I lose my money and my reservation? Do I try and make a reservation on the next train? If there are no seats available, do I have to wait hours for another train, etc.?

Many thanks and sorry for all the questions.......

Here's a link to the Purchase Guide on the Trenitalia website:

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/orari_b...sto/index.html

I believe it answers all your questions regarding what happens if you miss your train (see "Changing a Eurostar Reservation" and "Refunds&quot. The most important thing to do is to request a change to your reservation before the scheduled departure of your train. Then, there is no financial penalty.

Suzy Kane, http://www.idyllicitaly.com

I would make reservation in advance (you might want to read Mr. Geen's report when the train he wanted from Florence to Venice was full). I purchased e-tickets for my Florence-Venice and Venice-Rome trips. It worked out great.

I know that can be a little risky of your plane is late, but if it were me, I'd definitely reserve the tix, whether e-ticket or not.

With respect to the distance between where the express from Fiumicino arrives and the head of all the other tracks, I quote from rfb's long reply above:

1. The train from the airport arrives at the most remote track in Termini so if you see a baggage cart, grab it because it's a long walk to the main station. <b>If you are not fit, there are moving sidewalks on the lower level.</b>

I have never taken the moving sidewalks on the lower level, but I would estimate that, with luggage, walking from the express to the other tracks takes 15 minutes, more or less.

My best guess on estimating the distance from Leonardo Express to main Termini area is a quarter mile. If your mother has problems walking this could be a real problem. The boarding track is narrow and you face all the people getting off the train and all the people waiting to get on. It's pretty hectic most of the time.

I've never used the moving sidewalks but this might be your best bet. There is a ramp leading down to it shortly after you get off the train; there are escaltors coming up.

As for buying your tickets in advance, I wouldn't recommend it. If you do miss your train, you have to stand in line at one of the customer service counters to get rebooked onto another one. These lines are L O N G and S L O W; and, if you get an uncooperative agent, you could have a real problem unless you speak fluent Italian.

There are so many trains between Roma and Firenze daily that you're not going to have a problem getting a ticket. If your mother has problems getting around, I think you would do well to buy the first class tickets.

This just occurred to me. You might want to consider taking a shuttle or taxi from the airport into termini. Then the longest distance your mother would need to walk is a city block.

It's going to cost more, but might be worthwhile.

rfb - Thanks again for the added info. Have you an idea what a taxi is legitimately supposed to cost from airport to Termini??

You might be better off arranging for a service to pick you up. The following charges 35 E. and was very recently recommended on this board. A taxi could cost considerably more, especially if you get into the &quot;wrong&quot; one.

http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/

Idyllicitaly - thanks for the info but I had already checked the trenitalia site, and even wrote them an e-mail which was answered, but it was still not clear and that is why I came to this board to ask for further help.

rfb and Holly - thanks for the taxi/shuttle suggestions. I have contacted three different services, all recommended on this board, and await their responses.

Many thanks again to all.

Do NOT book ahead of time because it is a waste of money and was a disaster for me! But I took the train from Florence to Venice!

I've always just waited until I get to the station then bought a ticket for the next good train using the self service machines, which have an English option. Easy-peasey, no language dificulties. (I do speak some Italian but it's still easier to use a machine !)

I just booked a day trip for Roma to Firenze this coming Saturday. Check the schedules, and look for the Happy Train fares on select trains. If the times work for you, you can go either 1st or 2nd class for 10 euros! (Compared to 29+ euros full fare) I booked it on trenitalia website as ticketless, used my cc for payment, and have the printout with the required info to get on board. I look forward to seeing how this all turns out myself. I liked doing it in advance because of being able to select which seat positions (i.e. window, aisle, facing each other, etc.) Buona fortuna!