We are going on our fist trip to Italy in 2 weeks and will arrive in Rome LCO on a Thursday morning. We will be getting to the Termini in Rome via the "Leonardo Express" from the airport, and from there we will get a train to Naples. Do we need reservations beforehand for any of these trains?
We will also be traveling by train from Naples to Florence, and then onto Venice, and finally Rome, spending about 5 days in each place. Do we need to make train reservations now for any of these trips? I was thinking of just making the reservation when we get there. (When we arrive in Naples, make the reservation to Florence, etc.)

Thanks in advance.

OK, I'll answer this post so that the "experts" can take a break this time.

1. No, you don't need to buy any tickets in advance, or need any reservations in advance.

2. You can buy all your Trenitalia tickets (Rome-Naples-Florence-Venice-Rome) at the ticket office at FCO when you buy your Leonardo Express ticket.

3. The only reason you should buy your ticket in advance is if you happen to be traveling on a Saturday for any of your trips. Trenitalia is having a ticket sale for trains on Saturdays, and you have buy them the latest on the day before you travel.

For more info, click on the following thread:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...8&start=50

I believe that the The Leonardo Express runs every 30 min. So, you won't need a reservation. Just go to the ticket counter and purchase all of your train tickets if you already know your travel schedule. You can also purchase these tickets ahead of time throught the Trenitalia website - www.tranitalia.com

Omsam-

Here is another thread titled "Helpful Information Italy" that should answer all your questions:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

Maybe your personality will allow you to answer your own question. If this is your first trip to Italy, do you want "all your ducks in order, or can you "wing it?" Personally, I would find it upsetting to have to find the ticket booth, wait in line (maybe), and make decisions about train travel for the remainder of the trip.

Do you need reservations? Probably not, but you must figure out for yourself if you are an organized person, or a shoot-from-the-hip person.

Hi Omsam,

it's rare that we findsomeone going to Naples without going on to the Amalfi Coast.

Enjoy the city.

You might find my trip report helpful:

Ira?s Trip Report

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

As far as purchasing tickets at the FCO station, you have to buy your ticket to Rome anyway, so why not get the rest of them as well?

The ticket agent at the airport will sell you tickets on the next available train. The ES* are faster and more reliable, and more expensive. For the trip to Naples it's only about 10-12E.

The ES* trains are all reserved seat; you need a reservation. It comes with the ticket. IC, E, R and D trains do not require reservations.

Do not get a railpass. It is more expensive than point to point.

See www.trenitalia.com/en for schedules and prices.

Enjoy your trip.

Thank you all so much for your help. We have hotel reservations in each city already so we know what day we will arrive at each city. Not having to make train reservations far in advance will give us flexibility when to travel.

All you Fodorites are so very helpful. I?ve planned so much of the trip just by lurking on the board, and looking at suggestions.

I did some investigating from point to point and the 4 day 2nd class (france N Italy companion saver) and the prices were the same. Is it cheaper in one country to just go point to point with IT trains?