Train travel through Italy can be intimidating at first for an inexperienced traveler because of the bustling nature of Italian train stations. However, it's the best way to travel around Italy and to see the beautiful countryside. The trip from Rome to Ancona will take three to four hours, so load up your iPod and enjoy the sights.
Have your travel information ready when you get to the ticket window in Rome. You need to announce the number of passengers traveling, the destination to Ancona, when you want to depart and the class of seats you are reserving.
Book your ticket at the train station ticket counter or on-line at the Trenitalia website. Your train will leave from all stations in Roma (Tutte Le Stazioni) and arrive in Ancona.
Check out the rates. Most trains offer first and second class travel to Ancona.
Travel with a group and get a discount; groups of six or more receive 20 percent off their ticket price. Use the savings to enjoy an excellent seafood lunch or dinner upon arrival in Ancona.
Upgrade to first class and travel in style. First class cars feature a swanky, spacious modern interior in addition to the amenities of the second class car.
Choose an interregionali (inter-regional) train. This train would be the ideal choice from Rome to Ancona, as the interregionali route crosses the east coast of Italy via Rome to the west coast, culminating in Ancona.
Choose Eurostar (ES or Treni Eurostar Italia) if you want the quickest travel. The Eurostar route only goes part of the way to Ancona, so you will need to transfer to an intercity train.
Travel at night on an Espresso or InterCity Notte trains and book a sleeper car for the long trip. Each cabin is equipped to sleep four people, so bring the family and wake up fresh and rested to begin your adventure in Ancona. (If you find you can't sleep, you can entertain yourself with a rented portable DVD player and rented DVDs. Just ask your attendant.)
Find the Partenze sign, meaning departure, which will give you information regarding the status of your train. Remember, the 24-hour time table (military time) is used in Europe.
Use the Composizione Treni to find the location of each train car. The train stations in Rome are very busy, and trains often change schedules and departure tracks.
