Tiburtina or Termini for Orvieto
 

We will be travelling from the Rome Airport to Orvieto. I see on the trenitalia website that trains go to both stations. What would be the advantage of one over the other.

Is travel by bus a reasonable alternative? How do I access the schedule?

If you want to save money, take the local commuter train from Fiumicino Airport to Tiburtina Station (departures every 15 mins. except on Sundays/30 mins) and connect to one of the "Diretto" ("D") trains to Orvieto.

If you want to spend more money, take the non-stop airporter commuter train ("Leonardo da Vinci Express") from Fiumicino Airport to Termini Station, and connect to one of the "Intercity" ("IC") trains to Orvieto. These IC trains don't stop at Tiburtina, and run slightly, slightly faster than the Diretto trains.

Not only is the IC train more expensive than the D train, but the nonstop airporter train to Termini (which is rated only first class) is twice the cost of the local commuter train from Fiumicino Airport to Tiburtina (which is rated only second class, but also has a/c). The commuter train to Tiburtina takes about 15 minutes longer, and makes several stops enroute.

The only real advantage of the IC train is that the D train may not have air conditioning. However, the run to Orvieto is just over one hour, so it may not make much difference. A disadvantage of some IC trains is that they may originate south of Rome, and be rather full by the time they arrive at Termini Station.

If you take the commuter train from Fiumicino to Tiburtina, you should be aware of your surroundings, safeguard your possessions, and not sit in an empty or near-empty compartment. This train stops at two suburban stations on the southwestern outskirts of Rome which are located in poor neighborhoods, and sometimes certain people board the train with whom you might not want to socialize.

It's also worth mentioning that although the "airport express" train may be double the cost of the commuter train, it's still only about US$8. We're talking about a pretty small difference in total expenditure, worth considering only if you are on a tight budget and pinching every euro.

Thanks. The small difference in cost is not an issue. What we are looking for is the least stressful way of travelling, especially after a long overnight flight. What about the bus option?

I don't think there is a bus option.

One disadvantage of connecting trains at Roma Termini is that the Leonardo da Vinci Airport Express (which now costs 9.50 Euros per person), leaves you at dedicated tracks located about 1000 yards from the central station platform, which means a very, very long walk to connect to the train leaving for Orvieto. By contrast, the connection at Tiburtina is easier and does not involve such a long walk.

To be perfectly honest, I would choose the itinerary which most closely dovetails with your arriving flight, leaving enough time to retrieve luggage and pass through immigration control.

GAC, that is very true. Does the commuter train depart from the same location as the express at FCO?

That reminds me of my favorite tip. pius, when you buy your ticket at FCO, whether it is to Termini or Tiburtina, also buy your ticket to Orvieto at the same time. Saves standing in line twice.

The two trains leave from opposite tracks facing each other at the Fiumicino Airport train station. You can't get confused, since the destination of the train is indicated on a board at the head of each track. By taking the slower commuter train to Tiburtina, you save 4.50 Euros, and departures are every 15 minutes, compared to every 30 minutes for the nonstop to Termini. And both trains have a/c (at least when I was there last summer).

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