Rome’s Airport, sometimes known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport, is still referred to by its old name – Fiumicino, after the city it’s near, an it is said taking the train to Termini Station in Rome is easy.
There is quick walk from the airports arrivals to the rail station, but for an average traveler with a suitcase, multiple escalators can prove a handicap.
I arrived at the airport from London with British Airways, and needed to get to the NH hotel Leonardo Di Vinci hotel in Via dei Gracchi to start the PhotoReading and Mind Mapping course, and had little time.
I went to the ticket office and purchased the 11 Euro ticket and asking the ticket clerk when was the next non stop shuttle train (well not at stations) into Rome.
“In the next minute“, came the reply, “platform two.“
With a large suitcase, full of the bits and pieces I need to give the course, plus my computer, I raced to platform two to get on the Leonardo Express shuttle train which leaves every half hour in each direction.
My mind was set on getting that shuttle train, especially as you have to climb four steps onto the train, and with a heavy suitcase this is not easy.
As I got inside the carriage the doors closed and off we went.
Soon after leaving the station on a graffiti covered train the ticket inspector came down the carriage, and I happily handed him my ticket. That is where my trouble started.
“This ticket is not valid.” I was told.
But I had just brought it.
I had not validated it, and was fined 50 Euro’s, and my ticket was canceled, so the whole journey cost 66 Euro’s.
Yes, my fault, I had not read the ticket.
How many people actually read the ticket?
I had in the past been told about validation of tickets by Elena my Italian translator, but my mind was set on the single task of catching the train.
The validating machines are not that noticeable, and I cannot recall any signs informing people to validate tickets. Yes they are yellow.
Trenitalia’s ticket validating machine, do it, or be fined 50 Euro, you have been warned.
How many tourists, business people, travelers get caught out by not validating tickets, not knowing Trenitalia’s system?
Why don’t they have a validating machine within the carriages like they have on the public buses in Bologna?
On arrival back in the UK, I told my story to the taxi driver, plus the story of Tranitalia’s “First Class Standing” ticket (click to read), and his reply confirmed that many people get caught out and fined.
You have been warned. Have you been caught out?