Italy train, buy ahead of time?
 

Evening, I am trying to decide if we should buy train tickets online ahead of time, or just wait until we are in Rome. Need to go from Rome to Spoleto and return. Leave on a Saturday, return, actually to the Rome airport on a Wednesday. Thanks for your help!

Trenitalia website is finicky to say the least. Unless you are traveling on a major holiday, you shouldn't have a problem buying them in Rome. When are you going?

Hi B,

There are many trains to/from Spoleto.

I'd wait until I got to Rome.

You can get Amica fares (if still available) as late as the night before.

((I))

Most of the trains throughout the day on that route are regional trains. No seat reservations are possible and there is no advantage to buying tickets for them ahead of time. For the EuroStar Italia trains a reservation is required, but it is included in the price of the ticket. Just buy your tickets when you get to Rome.

Hmmm...we are traveling by train from Rome to Naples just after Easter Monday and traveling back from Salerno to Rome just before Liberation Day. Perhaps we should buy our tickets in advance? There will be four of us and I would like to get the Amica fare.

Thanks for the replies. We will be needing the train on Sat., Sept. 27 to Spoleto and than on the following Wed. from Spoleto to the airport in Rome. Will we need to change trains to get to the airport? Also, the place leaves at 11 am. About how much time should we allow to get there? Thanks again!

Thanks for the replies. We will be needing the train on Sat., Sept. 27 to Spoleto and than on the following Wed. from Spoleto to the airport in Rome. Will we need to change trains to get to the airport? Also, the plane leaves at 11 am. About how much time should we allow (from Spoleto) to get there? Thanks again!

Sorry, I meant plane.

Are you planning to get a flight from Rome to Spoleto?

Well, the only airport in Umbria is in Perugia, so you should take the plain, fly to Perugia and then gat a cab to Spoleto...mmm...it's not worth it, at all!

By plain it will cost at least 60€.

By train it takes 1.30h at the reasonable price of 7.45€.

What do you think?

Hi Boroth - For an 11.00a.m. flight you'd need to check in before 09.00.

Assuming you're flying from FCO your ONLY train is the 05.55 from Spoleto - changing at Roma Tiburtina (- or Termini).
Journey time to FCO: 2hrs25'
http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

Personally I'd probably stay your last night in Rome ...

Hope this helsp ...

Steve

ops! Sorry, I'm afraid I didn't get you question before...
Steve_James is right, it might be a bit stressful...I would stay in Rome, too.

;-)

Sorry for the double post. Our flight on Wed. is from FCO to Athens, leaves at 11 am. Sounds like we either get up way to early for me, or stay in Rome that night. Do we really need to check in 2 hours ahead of time? Wasn't sure for that flight. Thanks all!

Just a small dissent from the unanimous advice to buy when you get there. On the last trip to Italy we bought in advance and printed out the tickets at home. It eliminated the need to stand online in Rome subject yourself to the potential confusion of picking trains at the ticket window, and the tickets were immediately and cheerfully accepted on the train.

I'd say 2hrs+ at a busy airport like FCO.

I wouldn't want to cut it finer than that with queues at check-in and security ...

That 05.55 train is your ONLY option from Spoleto.
The next train leaves at 08.04 - much too late.

Personally I wouldn't risk it, and would stay in Rome your last night.

Steve

With reference to RJD's point: while I do sympathize with those who are unnerved by computer terminals and still want to speak to a real person, that approach is not necessary.

The automated machines where you buy the tickets, at the time or in advance, in Italian train stations are excellent and virtually no line up. They really do eliminate the need for long line-ups at the old-fashioned ticket windows.

Ok, now that I know I should spend the night before the flight in Rome, any suggestions of a hotel for this one night? The week before we go to Umbria we are staying in the Campo dei Fiori (sp?) area. How about another area that would be easy to get to the airport. Any tips? Thanks all!

Trastevere, across the river from Campo. You can catch the local train from the Trastevere station to the airport. What's your budget?

luvtotravel - Who knows if Amica fares will even exist next year. Last year the discount fare everyone wanted was DuePerUno as there was no Amica. You can't purchase more than 60 days in advance anyway.

kybourbon, Looking at under 250 USD. Maybe 300. Any recomendations?

Hotel San Francesco is 199€ for a double for your date. You can enjoy the roof bar your last night.
http://www.hotelsanfrancesco.net/inglese/roof_bar.htm

Try also the Arco del Lauro. http://www.arcodellauro.it/index.php?lang=en

Kybourbon, Thank you for the suggestions. Both look like great places. I am waiting to hear from one of them (less money, more vino!) Any other places in this area that you can suggest? Thanks again.