another [probably daft] trenitalia question
Mar 20th, 2011, 10:19 AM
#1
another [probably daft] trenitalia question
well, I'm getting pretty excited about my solo trip to Italy that's coming up in May, [I'm going to a language school for a week, followed by a few days on my own in florence, hopefully to practice my much! improved italian] and as I'm going by myself, i get the opportunity to plan [or what DH would call fuss] to my heart's content.
the question that is occupying my mind at the moment is whether/how to book my train tickets. I fly into Pisa and have to get a train to Orbetello [which is on the tuscan coast] where the langugae school is, which seems simple enough - train to Pisa Centrale, then a regional train to Orbetello, of which there seem to be plenty - about one and hour. I gather you just buy your tickets at the information desk when you arrive at pisa airport- is that still correct? [it's what we did last time we went from Pisa to Florence].
coming back however, when I have to get to Florence via Pisa, I have the chance to get an ES train to Pisa, and then a regional train to Florence, which is where my problems start. do i need to book my ticket on the ES train in advance? if so, do I have to wait to book the whole journey to Florence until the regional trains can be booked [about 7 days before travel, I believe] or because part of the trip is on an ES train, can I book the whole lot at once? or would it be best to book the ES train now, and then just buy an ordinary ticket for the Pisa-florence bit when I get there?
and how do the ticketless tickets work?
all this of course assumes that the computer will accept my UK credit card, which I gather is a bit of a lottery.
or should i just wait til I get there?
help!
the question that is occupying my mind at the moment is whether/how to book my train tickets. I fly into Pisa and have to get a train to Orbetello [which is on the tuscan coast] where the langugae school is, which seems simple enough - train to Pisa Centrale, then a regional train to Orbetello, of which there seem to be plenty - about one and hour. I gather you just buy your tickets at the information desk when you arrive at pisa airport- is that still correct? [it's what we did last time we went from Pisa to Florence].
coming back however, when I have to get to Florence via Pisa, I have the chance to get an ES train to Pisa, and then a regional train to Florence, which is where my problems start. do i need to book my ticket on the ES train in advance? if so, do I have to wait to book the whole journey to Florence until the regional trains can be booked [about 7 days before travel, I believe] or because part of the trip is on an ES train, can I book the whole lot at once? or would it be best to book the ES train now, and then just buy an ordinary ticket for the Pisa-florence bit when I get there?
and how do the ticketless tickets work?
all this of course assumes that the computer will accept my UK credit card, which I gather is a bit of a lottery.
or should i just wait til I get there?
help!
Mar 20th, 2011, 12:25 PM
#2
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Hi Ann,
You do need to book a ES ticket in advance. I've often bought them over the Trenitalia site (it's easy with a Canadian credit card, tho I've heard some US cards won't work; I can't say for UK.) But I've also bought a ES ticket the day before I needed it; from a travel agent in Bologna for a day trip to Venice. I think there was a small service charge, but I didn't mind because it was so convenient.
If you'll be in Italy in the days before you travel to Florence, that might be an option for you.
I believe the ES ticket stands alone; you would have to buy a separate regional ticket for that line. Which is, of course, very easy to do and you might want to do that before you get on the Eurostar. I see from the Trenitalia site you have about 10 minutes to change trains in Pisa; that might be cutting it a bit close with baggage, finding the right track, etc.
You do need to book a ES ticket in advance. I've often bought them over the Trenitalia site (it's easy with a Canadian credit card, tho I've heard some US cards won't work; I can't say for UK.) But I've also bought a ES ticket the day before I needed it; from a travel agent in Bologna for a day trip to Venice. I think there was a small service charge, but I didn't mind because it was so convenient.
If you'll be in Italy in the days before you travel to Florence, that might be an option for you.
I believe the ES ticket stands alone; you would have to buy a separate regional ticket for that line. Which is, of course, very easy to do and you might want to do that before you get on the Eurostar. I see from the Trenitalia site you have about 10 minutes to change trains in Pisa; that might be cutting it a bit close with baggage, finding the right track, etc.
Mar 20th, 2011, 12:38 PM
#3
thanks, sac, that's just what I was looking for.
there is a station in Orbetello where I am going to be staying, so i could buy the ES ticket while I am there, if that's the train I decide to catch, along with the ordinary ticket for the other portion of the journey.
that sounds like a plan - thanks!
there is a station in Orbetello where I am going to be staying, so i could buy the ES ticket while I am there, if that's the train I decide to catch, along with the ordinary ticket for the other portion of the journey.
that sounds like a plan - thanks!
Mar 20th, 2011, 12:48 PM
#4
There is no point in buying a regional ticket in advance because they don't have reserved seats. You just buy a ticket and hop on. Many stations have touch screen ticket machines in English.
If you want to save some money, you can probably get a mini-fare discount by purchasing your ES train early (the mini fare won't be offered if you try to combine with the R train).Book Orbetello/Pisa and then a separate ticket Pisa/Florence. There seems to be only one ES a day on this route though. I've purchased ES tickets as little as 10 minutes before traveling in high season with no problem.
You might also check for buses from Grosseto to Florence.
If you want to save some money, you can probably get a mini-fare discount by purchasing your ES train early (the mini fare won't be offered if you try to combine with the R train).Book Orbetello/Pisa and then a separate ticket Pisa/Florence. There seems to be only one ES a day on this route though. I've purchased ES tickets as little as 10 minutes before traveling in high season with no problem.
You might also check for buses from Grosseto to Florence.
Mar 20th, 2011, 12:49 PM
#5
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sea61.com good info on this
Train a lot over there
Plenty of machines that take my CC book on the
spot or day B4 eirther way you like at excellent prices.
Intercity most cost effective for me form 5 euro per
hour if not going far usually save a tonne doing that.
Have fun,
Train a lot over there
Plenty of machines that take my CC book on the
spot or day B4 eirther way you like at excellent prices.
Intercity most cost effective for me form 5 euro per
hour if not going far usually save a tonne doing that.
Have fun,
Mar 20th, 2011, 12:51 PM
#6
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www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm missed a t above my bad....
Mar 20th, 2011, 05:03 PM
#9
Rama Mobilita used to make the Grosseto/Florence run. They also serve Orbetello. You will have to check them for current schedules as I haven't used this bus. Website is in Italian which I'm sure you can figure out. 
http://www.ramamobilita.it/spip.php?rubrique12
Sena also makes a Grossetto/Bologna run (more in summer, but doubt schedules are out yet) with stops in Siena, Poggibonsi and outskirts of Florence (I think near a tram connection the rest of the way into the city). I imagine it doesn't stop unless someone requests off. You would have to look up the tram # as Florence has several newer tram connections.
http://www.sena.it/
http://www.ramamobilita.it/spip.php?rubrique12
Sena also makes a Grossetto/Bologna run (more in summer, but doubt schedules are out yet) with stops in Siena, Poggibonsi and outskirts of Florence (I think near a tram connection the rest of the way into the city). I imagine it doesn't stop unless someone requests off. You would have to look up the tram # as Florence has several newer tram connections.
http://www.sena.it/
Mar 20th, 2011, 07:27 PM
#10
