Bus or train in Italy? w/ my 65 yr old mother

You'll need to check if there are buses available for your route. Often times in Italy, if there is a train going from Point A to Point B, there will be no bus for that route.

For most of your routes, the train will be the only option. The main stations in Rome, Florence and MIlan have end-in platforms, so you simply walk from the main part of the station onto the platform without climbing stairs. there will be three steps up into the train car.

I suggest this plan for when you are boarding a train with luggage: Have Mom go up the steps of the train first, then you hand the luggage up to her. After all the luggage is up the steps, then you get on.

I recommend that you take 21 or 22 inch suitcases . They give you more freedom to move around, be easier to get on and off trains, buses.

A big plus is to have smaller suitcases, follow HappyTrvir advice. In makes such a big difference.
In the trains you can put the suitcases between seats, there is like an inverted V space in
between . This way you do not have to lift them. When ever I travel alone in trains in ITaly
there is a helpful hand that comes unexpectly. Good luck.

"27" suitcases are too large, especially if using public transport. Seriously consider the others advice and downsize these--you will be very happy you did. Luggage that large screams an inexperienced tourist and will likely attract unwelcome attention.

I suggest you reverse Florence and Cinque Terre, as the CT is one place you really don't want to be burdened with luggage. There is no avoiding dragging your luggage around, and quite likely up stairs too.

I would likewise bring smaller suitcases, with a fold-up bag inside for your purchases, or else stop by a store and pick up a cheap duffel once you've got your new goods.

Thanks for all the immediate responses everyone! So for sure the train stations in Rome, Florence & Milan are not going to have stairs? Does anyone have any idea re the train stop in Vernazza?

Also, I cant switch since we want to spend Christmas in Rome or Florence but not in Cinque Terre. Will have to inspect my mom's luggage before we leave then, she is the type to bring one set of clothes per day! I can travel light, it's the shopping IN Italy that I'm worried about!

Ship your purchases home!

For Milano Centrale, one enters on street level but ALL the tracks are on an upper level, acciessible by a number of escalators. After you've taken the escalator to track level, there are no stairs to climb to the tracks.

For Firenze SMN, track level is the same as street level. The only way you might run into stairs is if you walk to the station and use an underpass to cross the street. This can be avoided epending on your route or if you arrive by bus or taxi.

For Roma Termini, track level is the same as street level, unless you arrive by metro.

In Vernazza, the whole town is stairs, so the few at the station might be the least of your worries.

I too wouldn't take a large empty suitcase.

Have mom pack her bag early and do overhead lifts with it. If she doesn't have a problem with lifting it, then you don't have a problem. If she does, she has the choice of a smaller suitcase or no shopping.

If you take the metro to Termini, you can encounter stairs.

Hi, I looked it up 27 inch is about 70 cms. That is definitely too big for 2 women, any age, on trains. Try to take bags. If you are using such big suitcases, why don't you consider renting a car. It is terrible even for Europeans to drive in Italy but you get used to it and you will survive. I do not know much about buses, sorry. How much time do you have for the trip? And at which time of the year? Greetings form Switzerland.

Skip Vernazza for Mom--it is vertical.
Stay at Monterosso or Levanto---much flatter.

Please do take the advice to downsize your luggage. Several years ago I did a Europe train vacation with a friend who insisted on (over)packing a 27" suitcase. It was a pain in the neck every time we had to get on or off a train. Everything you try to do will likely include a rush of people around you wanting to get on or off and looking at that big, hunking suitcase like you're some kind of nut.

Not only was it embarrassing, she hurt her shoulder on the next to last stop. Could hardly roll the bag, much less lift it. I had to help, but wasn't happy as we wrangled that bag while others IMpatiently waited for us to get the heck out of the way.

Since that trip, she's packed as lightly as I do. I promise you, there was never a single moment when one of us wished we'd packed MORE.

I would not skip Vernazza. There is an elevator at the train station and the town is easily to navigate with it's walking path right to the harbor. The key here is to stay in a room that does not have the stairs issue. I responded to your question about the Armanda apt. in Vernazza on another thread (we just got back from 6 nights staying there). Only 14 stairs and I would recommend that as your best option.

The buses with their stop-and-go can be unnerving through city traffic. I would stick to the trains. We try (but are never successful) with packing light and lugged our luggage up and down the train entry, but never had to hoist them above. We piled them in the seats next to us. We traveled a bit on trains and luckily it wasn't too full.

Buon viaggio....

The largest size suitcase you should take is a 21 inch. You will have trouble with a larger size on a bus or train or even a taxi. I usually take an 18 inch and a totebag and this is for a 3 to 4 week stay. You don't need a lot of clothes and you can wear the same clothes for a few days or wash clothes along the way if you need to.

Many people would not like to do this but it is what I always do. I take clothes that I don't particularly care for but look good. After I wear them a few days I toss them out. By the time I go home I have room for the things I have purchased along the way. Anything large, I ship home.

I answered this post on your tripadvisor thread and concur that you need to downsize luggage. ellenem is correct about accessibility however in our last visit to Milan (last November) the escalators were under repair. Bottom line is you need to be prepared for stairs as you simply never know.

Plan to have some clothes laundered mid way - we do so on a two week trip so that we can pack as lightly as possible.

By now you have received consistent advice re:luggage size. Now with regard to the Cinque Terre. You have mentioned "not wanting to be there for Christmas". I haven't been there in the winter but have during off-season--it closes up!! I can't imagine being there in December or January--a place I treasure at other times of the year. Its appeal is the coastline by trail--not open in the winter or by boat--not running in the winter. Simplify your trip and eliminate this destination--it is "vertical" and not for the stair challenged.