I am not to sure what to do. We wish to travel from La Spezia Centrale to Rome on a train between 10am -12 on April 28. There are different trains to travel on but most involve changing trains twice. Should I stick with Intercity which is direct but takes 4.27hrs at 10.06am or take the shorter time of 4.04hr also at 10.06am, or 3.57hr at 11.23am but these involving 2 train changes. I am not familiar with trains and do not want to miss connections. How easy is it to make these changes? Any advice would be appreciated.

It depends on how much time you have for changing trains, and how big is your luggage. Normally train changing in Europe is easy, given that your luggage is compact and you have more than 5 mins to change. If it's less than 5 mins, it depends on whether you can run fast enough. Honestly, it's your choice. I myself would probably take the shorter time with 2 train changes, because I wouldn't have anything to do on a train anyway, and I don't mind running around in stations. But perhaps direct trains might be better for you because 4.27hrs vs. 3.57hr is not much different.

If you could leave a bit earlier you can take a fast train to Rome with no changes. There is a freccia train at at 7:44 that takes under 3 hours and one at 8:16 that take 3:47. There's also one at 13:16.

>>> Should I stick with Intercity which is direct but takes 4.27hrs at 10.06am or take the shorter time of 4.04hr also at 10.06am<<<

You did realize the departure train for both of these is the same train?

Stick to the Inter-City or any train that does not involve changes. You could miss connections, plus hauling your luggage around stations, up and down platforms, and figuring out which track you need is no fun. I have been in train stations where last minute track changes were announced in Italian on bad PA speakers -- and the only way I figured out it was a track change for me was seeing other people on my platform suddenly start racing to another track.

Take whatever no-change train best suits your schedule overall in terms of departure and arrival.

I am not familiar with trains>

to get familiar with trains in general check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

I'd take a direct train even if slower than having to change trains in hectic Florence SMN - the one direct from La Spezia kybourbon mentions (via Florence I believe but no change there) or the later direct IC train which goes via the coastal route, which is more scenic than the boring high-speed route via Florence with lots of tunnels.

If you really want to enjoy your afternoon in Rome, take the 8.16 train.
If you want to travel 2 hrs later, don't travel via Florence and change trains twice for a time saving of 20 min only.

thanks for all the advice I have booked the direct train.

How much hassle the change of trains would be depends mainly on the type of station. Most of the trains from La Spezia to Rome have changes at Pisa Centrale and at Florence S. Maria Novella.

Florence is an easy change, despite the crowds, because it's a "pull in, back out" station, which means the platforms are all at the level of the station. (I've never found the crowds overwhelming there, myself.)

Through stations have platforms one level down from the station, with steps leading down to the platforms. At these stations, which often don't have an escalator or an elevator, you may have to drag your luggage up and down steps. How much hassle that would be depends on the amount and weight of your luggage.

Pisa Centrale is a through station, but it has elevators on all the platforms. They are usually not widely advertised, so look for a little sign like this: http://www.pixlemon.com/signs-cartel...03000/zoom.jpg

I myself would follow kybourbon's advice and take one of the early trains, unless there's some reason that's not possible.

changing is not hard for those who have done it a lot but can be worrisome to novices - a direct train in always preferable unless it takes a lot longer.

And to a novice Florence SMN can be daunting IMO.= especially if only a few minutes before trains - those with heavy luggage may have to get a luggage cart, etc.

Pisa Centrale is a through station, but it has elevators on all the platforms. They are usually not widely advertised, so look for a little sign like this>

lol, bvl, the first time I changed trains at Pisa Centrale I lugged my luggage down a load of steps and up another lot in order to board my train to Orbetello as I completely missed the signs for the lift.

on the way back I was much more savvy and found them with no problem at all!

I wish I'd known about that little sign though.