I know it takes about 15-20mins from the Express to ES platform. Are there maps online I can study in advance to better know my way around? If landing from US at 7:15am with no luggage checked, can I make the 10:30am ES to Florence? There are only 2 of us travelling, with only 2 small suitcases.

hope this helps.
www.trenitalia.it

Thanks Lin, but I know which website to book with but need advice on maps and time scheduling. Thank you.

That sounds like a reasonable amount of time to make it to the Termini and find your track. If not, the trains to Florence leave every half-hour, I believe, so you can always get the next train.

Just in case there are an unforseen mishaps, I would try to arrive in Italy with about 50 Euro, so if you had to take a taxi from Rome to the Termini (which would be be quicker, in some cases), you can.

If a taxi is an option, I would definitely consider that, especially with two people sharing the price. I hate to deal with public transportation in a new city/country where I don't speak the language after getting off an overnight flight from the U.S. all tired and jet-lagged (if I'm understanding the situation correctly).

don't worry about knowing EXACTLY how to get off one train and EXACTLY where the other one is,you'll get off one,head with most of the other travellers to the center where you'll find a HUGE board with a list of all the arrivals and departures telling you whether or not your train is on time and which track it's on.Don't freak out,it'll be fine.

Hi K,

There is a map of Roma TE at http://www.romatermini.it/indexf.cfm

Click Termini areas.

You have a very, very, very good chance of making the 10:30 ES.

and there were a LOT of wonderful train station helpers with identifying vests getting people directed towards their next train.
i found them pretty organized and they were friendly and spoke english.