<BR>Will be arriving in Rome, Italy next Saturday and want to immediately take the train to Florence. From what I read I should buy my ticket to Florence right at the airport so as to avoid lines at the Grand Termini. Is this easy to do? Do I buy 2 seperate tickets: one to get to the grand termini and then one to get to Florence? I'm also looking for a direct train in second class. What kind of ticket should I ask for? Also can I buy a round trip ticket so as to avoid another line when I have to return to Rome? If anyone has these answers or any other helpful information ie: train numbers etc. it would be greatly appreciated. Also, does the train have an area to put luggage. I'm a light traveler myself but my companion will be bringing several large suitcases.

We didn't experience long lines at any of the stations, they moved pretty fast. But check out: <BR>http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/fa...ules/index.htm to get prices and schedules. Most of the people at the stations we encoutered spoke enough English to understand what we needed. Learn how to say "second class" and "round trip" along with the city names, in Italian. It's too hard. Also, do a search here for train travel to find other helpful hints.

Starting at the airport: Go to this site and click-on "Airport Maps" www.adr.it/en/fiumic/fiumic-00.html You will arrive on the ground floor and you must go up two levels to get to the walkways. Now on the map those yellow tubes are the walkways which will take you to the train station (in purple). Very easy one look outside and you see the train station and walkways. As you walk into the train station on the right there is a newstand/kiosk where you can buy your *Termini* train tickets or from 1 of the vending machines in the station. You will want the Termini train, there are only a few tracks (4?) so it's not hard to find. Be sure to validate your ticket before you board in any of the yellow boxes on the platform. <BR>Also click-on "Trains" it tells you when the Termini train leave, so many mins before/after the hr. <BR>1st thing after Arrivals you'll want to snag a luggage cart or 2 (if they are scarce check-out the taxi stand area or go up 1 level to Departures (~ the check-in desks). <BR> I would take either the Eurostar (ES) or InterCity (IC) train to Florence, print out the timetables before you go and you'll be able to decide which train you'll have time to catch while at the airport station. Go to www.fs-on-line.com/ click "English" and use Roma & Firenze in the search, be sure to use the correct date and aprox. time. I haven't bought train tickets at the airport but I'm positive will have no lanugage problems. I'd still (because of jetlag write-out *simply* the details Date (Euro style 25/11/00, Time/Type (1330-ES), Destination, Class, Non/Smoking, Seat Reservations if needed. With *alot* of luggage and jetlag you might consider going 1st class (ES) for the extra $13-14. For the larger overhead storage bin (luggage is stored at the end of the cars esp in 2nd) and quieter less crowded car. You could buy your R/T tickets at one time if you want to but perhaps things might change in Florence and you might want to leave either in the early AM or late PM. Basically everything in Florence including the train station is within 1sq/mi, so it's no problem getting to the station while you are there. HTH Regards, Walter <BR>p.s. Try to talk your companion into traveling lighter. <BR>

I took the train in August from the Rome airport to the Termini. The woman at the ticket window at the airport was very helpful. I had the schedule for the trains printed out. She sold me the ticket to go into Rome and the ticket to go to Florence. The trip is only a little over an hour on the ES. We had two carry on size pieces of luggage each and I found the room provided in second class was sufficient. I didn't need round trip tickets, so I really don't know if you can purchase them at the same time. The price was about 65,000 lire for one person. You can e-mail me if you want.

I am in Italy right now and the line are about 15-20 minute wait in Florence. I would wait. Do print out the schedule and you can buy your ticket through the machines. The lines are about 5 minutes there in the main terminal in Florence. I leave tomorrow for the US. Italy is great place

Once you have your tickets, be SURE to validate them at one of the little yellow machines before boarding or you will be fined. Once validated, they are good for six hours. <BR> <BR>The second class cars will have a"2" near the door and they are divided between smoking and non-smoking. There is not a lot of room for large suitcases - travel light. <BR> <BR>Check out which binario (track) your train will be on and get a luggage cart as already suggested - they are free and it can be a long walk to your second class car.... <BR> <BR>Overall, the trains were absolutely no problem - actually enjoyed them.

There is a train every hour from FCO to the Termini. You need a separate ticket for Florence. Be sure that you book yourself on the Eurostar - it's faster and cleaner, and less stops. There are enough space for a large suitcase. I saw some locals that leave their luggage outside the seating compartment - which I don't recommend.

Hope its not too late. wife & I flew into Pisa and then "trained" to Florence & then "trained" to Assisi, then Rome. Went second class (the milk run) on all trains and enjoyed the scenery and the savings.Never took one of the high speeds and didn't miss it!