Make sure your flight arrives at da Vinci International Airport, also known as Fiumicino. After going through customs (where you will also collect your luggage), follow the signs to your left for Stazione FS/Railway Station. Take the elevator or escalator up two levels to the pedestrian bridge to the railway station. The cost of a ticket is €9.50 and can be purchased at the ticket counter, the tabacchi or at one of the self-service machines. The train leaves Fiumicino airport every 30 minutes, from 6:37 a.m. to 11:37 p.m., and takes approximately 31 minutes to complete the journey.

Once in Termini you can take the train to Florence. We suggest you purchase your train ticket from Rome to Florence online prior to leaving home. This will give you extra time and eliminate some of the hassle of buying a ticket once you are in Italy. If you decide not to buy in advance you can purchase a ticket at any of the self-service machines. They offer instructions in English and accept credit cards as well as cash.

To buy a ticket in advance, go to Trenitalia: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/.

As you probably know....city names in Italian are "Roma" and "Firenze". There are a few different trains which run between Rome and Florence. You should book on the Eurostar (labeled as ES) which is the most modern, roomiest and fastest. They leave every 30 - 60 minutes and takes approximately 90 minutes. Choose "Ticketless" as the delivery option. This allows you to print the email confirmation as your ticket, like an airline e-ticket. This option is only available on Eurostar trains. You can book online using any major American credit card. The price is €29.44 per person. You will have to register on their website in order to purchase the ticket.

Pisa

It is really easy to get from the Pisa Airport to Florence. In fact, Pisa has Europe's closest train station to an airport; it is only 40 meters away. Trains for Florence run every half hour, with the ride lasting just under 1½ hours. The cost is only €5.10.

Tickets for that station are not available for purchase except in person. From baggage claim, just follow the signs with a train icon. It may also read "Stazione Ferroviaria". Whoever sells the ticket will probably speak English, or you can just say "Firenze". They will know exactly what you are looking for.

Milan

Milano has two international airports: Linate and Malpensa. They are located on opposite sides of Milan. Follow the directions below to arrive at the Stazione Centrale in Milan. From here you can take a train to Florence. We suggest you purchase your train ticket from Rome to Florence online prior to leaving home. This will give you extra time and eliminate some of the hassle of buying a ticket once you are in Italy. If you decide not to buy in advance you can purchase a ticket at any of the self-service machines. They offer instructions in English and accept credit cards as well as cash.

To buy a ticket in advance, go to Trenitalia: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/. As you probably know....city names in Italian are "Milano" and "Firenze". There are a few different trains which run between Milan and Florence. You should book on the Eurostar (labeled as ES) which is the most modern, roomiest and fastest. They leave every 60 minutes on the hour and takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Choose "Ticketless" as the delivery option. This allows you to print the email confirmation as your ticket, like an airline e-ticket. This option is only available on Eurostar trains. You can book online using any major American credit card. The price is €29.44 per person. You will have to register on their website in order to purchase the ticket.

Linate

Linate is located 7 km (4 miles) south of Milan. Starfly runs buses every 30 minutes to Stazione Centrale. Make sure your bus is for Centrale as there are other buses going to different locations in Milan. Tickets can be purchased on the bus and cost between €1.40-€3.00.

Malpensa

Malpensa is located about 50 km (30 miles) north of Milan. Although there is an express train from Malpensa into Milano, you would need to either take a taxi or the metropolitana to get to the Stazione Centrale. Our recommendation is to take either the Malpensa Bus Express or the Malpensa Shuttle Air Pullman. Ticket prices range from €5.00-€5.50 and will drop you off at the Stazione Centrale. Buses run from early morning to late evening, every 20-30 minutes. Tickets can be bought inside the station or on the bus. This trip will take approximately one hour, but could be longer if you are traveling during rush hour.