My son't ticket gets him into FCO at 4:10 on British Air. There is an Alitalia flight to BLQ at 5:30. Could he possibly make that or is it totallly unrealistic. Right now he is planning to spend 2 nights in Rome and then take the train to meet up with us in Parma. But it seems to me, so much easier to just fly especially since he will be traveling solo.

jan

What

quote:

Could he possibly make that or is it totallly unrealistic.

What answer would you like?

Is it possible?....sure, if everything fell into place--BA flight early, only carry on luggage, close in gates on both ends, no line at passport control.

Is it likely that he would make the connection?---no.

But I think you already knew that...

Thanks, Jim.
I just needed a reality check. Also, its a little over $200 which is more than we would like to spend. So I guess he'll spend 2 nights in Rome. One night makes no sense to me. He has a reso at the Panda, anyway.
We are all just a little flustered about his trip because his girlfriend was going with him and just canceled.

jan

Is there a reason he is not taking the train from Rome to Bologna the day he arrives?

Well, we will actually be in Parma. And he will have been flying about 20 hours already from San Francisco to London and on to Rome. On trenitalia, most of the trains he could make take about 6 hours to Bologna and then he'd have to transfer to get to Parma--at almost midnight. So, I think he's better off doing his jetlag adjustment for 2 nights in Rome.

Anymore thoughts from you savvy friends?

jan

I think that after two days in Rome, jet-lag gone, he might actually like the train experience. On the other hand, getting to you and starting that part of the vacation, it would save some time.
Marcia (also no longer matchmaking)

Flying: if you are staying in parma there is no reason for your son to be flying to Bologna instead of to Parma, which has its own airport located in the suburbs (it's a small local airport, but I bet it does have national flights). On the other hand, there is abslutely no reason to fly if he is staying in Rome for a couple of nights: traint ravel from Rome to Parma is far cheaper than flight and as fast, once you consider the time required to get to the airport, check in and all. He could be in the center of Parma leaving from the center of Rome, in about 4 hours, either by ES train to Bologna and than changing to a local trin, opr by taking a direct Intercity train. No need to book from the states: the day following his arrival he may just walk in a travel agency, or pay a visit to any station in Rome, and get his sticket. Price range, according to train cathegory and class, is from 60 to 35 euro, including reservation in the ES or IC trains (no resrvation possible on local trains).

quote:

I think that after two days in Rome, jet-lag gone, he might actually like the train experience

Yes,Marcia, I agree completely.

Thanks Alice, too for your input. Train it will be!

jan

Airlines have legal change-times (if, for example, you were doing one ticket for all of this), and BA and Alitalia can tell you whether the scheudule you are looking at is within that; my guess is that it's not at all. If you wish to pursue, have your travel agent check what is shown as a legal change time at FCO for BA to AZ.

Best wishes,