Oh, the train...
 

I am planning on taking the train from the airport in Rome to Florence (my flight lands - hopefully - at 12:15 on a Thursday). A week later on a Friday, I'll take a train from Orvieto back to Rome (would like to get back to Rome by 17:30 or 18:00 to check into apartment). But... I forgot about this until tonight and just looked at the Trenitalia site - all the economy seats sold out!

I think I got confused with some advice to buy tickets when I get there, just in case my plane doesn't land on schedule, and it didn't dawn on me that the budget seats would sell out. So now I've learned that. At this point, should I go ahead and purchase tickets for the least expensive tickets available or is there any advantage left to waiting until I get to the train station to purchase tickets?

Thanks for any advice you can pass along!

To save a little money, wait till you're at the station in Orvieto and buy €7.50 tickets for 2nd class travel in one of the Regional trains.

No real need, or benefit, in booking for those those in advance.... and they're only slightly slower than the Intercity alternatives!

Looks like they've one at 15:24, which gets to Roma Termini at 16:47 - with the next some 2 hours later.

Peter

Wait until you get there - there are always cheap tickets available on the R trains and Orvieto to Rome is not a long trip. When you start using Italy's rail system you will be amazed by how easy and cheap it is, no need to prebook.

Are you sure they're sold out or are the schedules possibly not loaded yet onto the website for your dates. I don't see a mention of your dates so that's a possibility if you're getting a message something like "no result". Those of us wanting to book tickets for December or later are still waiting for them to become available.

What are you dates? I really doubt all economy tickets between Rome/Florence are sold out for any particular day. Perhaps you mean all the super economy tickets are sold out?

I would agree with buying an R ticket for Orvieto/Rome when you are ready to depart Orvieto. R tickets don't sell out. IC tickets are double the prices and are only 10 minutes faster.

October...

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...is-do-able.cfm

Peter

Thank you for reassuring me about the Orvieto trip. And yes, you are correct kybourbon, I did mean Super Economy. I'm taking Rome - Florence on Oct 18. This is my first trip and I'm not sure how long it will take me to get out of the airport, even if my plane lands on time, but the trains within a few hours of my flight don't have that great €9 ticket anymore. That's the one I'm more concerned with as the remaining trips are considerably higher. And if Economy sells out...

>>>That's the one I'm more concerned with as the remaining trips are considerably higher. <<<

No problem. Just take the Italo train instead. I don't see 9€ fares for that day (Oct. 18), but almost all their departures have 20€ fares still available. Plus the trains are new. You can depart from either Rome Ostiense station or Rome Tiburtina. Ostiense is close to the airport, but offers less trains. If money is a factor, take the local FR1 train from the airport to either Ostiense or Tiburtina. It departs every 15 minutes and is cheaper than the Leonardo Express that goes to Termini (8€ vs 14€). Tiburtina has hourly departures to Florence. Only the lunch time departures seem to be higher.

http://www.ntvspa.it/en/index.html

I am trying my best to keep up with all of the great information! I am not going until next June and I am trying to figure out all I can about the trains! Great advice!

I knew you guys would have great suggestions for me! Thanks kybourbon - will check that out...

One last train question, if I may... is it reasonable to allow myself an hour and a half to an hour and 40 minutes to land, collect my luggage, purchase a ticket and board the FR1 train to Roma Tiburtina? (Wish I didn't have to check luggage, but am flying Alitalia - it's just not feasible for me).

I'll go ahead and pre-purchase my Italo train ticket, but am thinking to wait on the FR1 until I arrive as there are two possible trains I could catch, depending on how quickly my luggage shows up. Of course, I am anxious to get to Florence as early as possible and don't want to spend several hours sitting around, waiting in the train station, but am trying to curb my enthusiasm and be realistic.

Thanks again for sharing your experience so generously!