Travel

This page is here to assist you with the logistics of planning your itinerary. For activity suggestions, please see the “Activities” page at the top. We put together a document to help guide you regarding airports, buses, rental cars, and transfers. You can access the document by clicking the button below.

Wedding Journey Guide

NOTE ABOUT ROME: While information about traveling through Rome is in the above document, we do NOT recommend this for many reasons. In the Catholic Church, 2025 is a Jubilee Year, also known as a special year of grace and spiritual renewal. In Italy, it’s particularly significant in Rome, where it attracts millions of tourists. In general, Italy’s tourism season is from May to October. Additionally, the new Catholic pope is expected to increase travel to this area. All of these factors combined are why we do not recommend going to Rome, but the provided document provides travel information to Rome and alternatives.

Additionally, we suggest that you make digital and physical copies of your passport. Keep one in luggage and send one to family/friends in the US.

Required Forms

Both of the forms below are required. You must fill both of them out in order to travel.

The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) functions similarly to other visa waiver programs like the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) in the United States. This system is for travelers from visa-exempt countries (such as the United States) who plan to visit European countries, like Italy and Cyprus, for short-term stays. It is not a visa, but you must get approval before boarding your flight, train, or cruise. ETIAS processing can take up to 30 days.

The second form is required by the venue in order to comply with Italian travel laws.

ETIAS Application Guide
Venue Form

Omio

For ease of navigation, feel free to check out the Omio app! Their description says “Omio makes planning your next trip easy. Compare and book train, ferry, flight, and bus tickets — all in one place!”

Omio – apple app store
omio – google Play Store

Navigating Specific Trains/Airports

How to navigate Roma Fiumicino Aeroporto

To reach the Fiumicino Aeroporto Railway Station from Terminal 1 (T1) at Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), follow these steps:

  • Exit T1 Arrivals: Upon arrival at Terminal 1, proceed to the Arrivals area.
  • Follow Signage to Train Station: Look for clear signs directing you to the train station.
  • Elevator to Level 2: Take the elevator up to Level 2, which is the bridge-tunnel connecting the terminals to the train station.
  • Walk to Train Station: Walk through the tunnel, which is equipped with moving walkways, leading you to the Fiumicino Aeroporto Railway Station.
    • The walk from T1 to the train station takes approximately 10 minutes.
  • At the train station, you’ll find ticket machines and counters to purchase tickets for your train journey to Roma Termini Train Station.

To travel from Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Roma Termini station, you have two main options: the Leonardo Express train.

  • Route: Non-stop service between Fiumicino Airport and Roma Termini.
  • Frequency: Every 15 minutes during peak hours; approximately every 30 minutes during off-peak hours.
  • Travel Time: About 32 minutes.
  • First Departure: 06:08 am from Fiumicino; 05:20 a, from Termini.
  • Last Departure: 11:23 pm from Fiumicino; 10:35 pm from Termini.
  • Ticket Price: €14 one-way.

How to navigate Roma Termini Train Station

Roma Termini station is one of the largest and busiest train stations in Europe, and it can be a bit overwhelming due to its size and the number of services it offers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:

  • Signs and Information: There are clearly marked signs in English and Italian throughout the station, so just follow the directions for your destination.
  • Departure boards (or “Tabellone Partenze”) are located around the station. These show the train number, destination, and departure time.
  • Arrival boards are also displayed, showing incoming train details.
  • Levels inside the train station:
    • Ground floor (Piano Terra): You’ll find the main hall, ticket counters, restrooms, and the train platforms.
    • Underground Level (Piano Sottosuolo): The metro lines (Line A and B) are accessed here.
    • Upper Levels (Piano Superiore): The upper levels feature more shops, restaurants, and the FrecciaRossa (high-speed trains) lounge areas.
  • Ticket Purchase
    • Ticket Counters: Located on the ground floor, they can be crowded but are staffed by helpful personnel.
    • Ticket Machines: Also on the ground floor, these machines offer tickets for regional, intercity, and high-speed trains. They accept both cash and cards.
    • Online Ticketing: You can also buy tickets via the Trenitalia website or mobile app before you arrive.
  • Train Platforms
    • Platforms are located on the ground level. To access the platforms, you will have to access turnstiles. These turnstiles are equipped with plexiglass barriers and gates controlled by railway staff who check the tickets. Alternative, you can scan the QR code of your ticket at the turnstiles’ scans.
    • Train platforms are clearly numbered (e.g., Platform 1, Platform 2), and you’ll find large boards above each platform showing train details.
    • Be sure to check the platform number for your train on the departure boards. Don’t confuse the train’s destination with the platform number.

Additional Train Tips

The following tips were taken from this post from @pointsforfamilytravel on Instagram.

🇮🇹 BEFORE YOUR TRIP:

  • There are two train companies in Italy: Italo and Trenitalia ( high speed: Frecciarossa). Book early for lowest fare and book direct.
  • Pay extra for assigned seat and upgrade to business/first class
  • Create an account with both Trenitalia and Italo BEFORE purchasing tickets. This way trip info and tickets will show up on the app.
  • Download train apps – platform number showed up on our app before it showed up on display board which meant we got a head start to find our boarding spot

🇮🇹 AT THE TRAIN STATION

  • No need to arrive at train station two hours early. There is no where to sit and train platform number doesn’t appear on display until 20 min before departure.

👉🏼How to find right train:

  • When you look at the departures board only look for TIME and TRAIN NUMBER. DO NOT look at the destination. The train may have 9 stops and only the final destination is listed.
  • There are a lot of stairs in train stations, make sure you can carry your luggage up and down, onto the train, etc.
  • Your ticket will have the coach number and seat number on it. Try to enter on the correct coach.
  • You won’t have to show your ticket until you’re on the train and it’s moving. Screen shot your ticket QR code in case you don’t have service/wifi on the train
  • If you buy ticket online you don’t have to validate. If you have a paper ticket, you must insert it into the green ticket kiosk on platform to validate it with time/date. You may be fined heavily if you do not validate.

🇮🇹 BOARDING THE TRAIN

  • You have just a few minutes to board so be ready to hop on. If doors aren’t open, press button on the side.
  • Store luggage on racks at the end of each coach, above your seat or on the floor in between some seats. There may be NO luggage store on regional trains

🇮🇹 GETTING OFF THE TRAIN:

  • You have minutes to get off, be at the door when the train stops.

🛑 Train strikes (scioperi) are always announced in advance – check your train websites for more info.