Do the Italian trains still run on time? Cinque Terre question
#1
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Do the Italian trains still run on time? Cinque Terre question
(with apologies to Mussolini) We want to take a train from Monterosso (via La Spezia) to Civitavecchia to start a cruise (on a Monday next fall). The guidebooks say that the trains to and from Cinque Terre are unreliable. I suspect the La Spezia to Rome train is reliable, but we will need to take the puddle jumper to La Spezia. There are only two trains that day that will allow us time to get to the cruise, so our window is small. Has anyone had experience with the Cinque Terre trains? How reliable or unreliable are they?
If the train is too unreliable, we'll probably have to go to Civitavecchia the night before, but I'd like to add another night in CT if possible.
If the train is too unreliable, we'll probably have to go to Civitavecchia the night before, but I'd like to add another night in CT if possible.
#3
The guidebooks are telling you "facts" based on what? Previous experiences? If so, on how many? One? Several? A whole lot?
It is very VERY easy to overcome any possibilities that a train might be so late to make you miss your cruise: go a night ahead of time>
I am sorry if that means you are spending more money and if you can think of a more foolproof way to ensure you make that cruise then please let the rest of us know exactly what it is.
It is very VERY easy to overcome any possibilities that a train might be so late to make you miss your cruise: go a night ahead of time>
I am sorry if that means you are spending more money and if you can think of a more foolproof way to ensure you make that cruise then please let the rest of us know exactly what it is.
#4
>>>There are only two trains that day that will allow us time to get to the cruise, so our window is small.<<<
Not sure how you can determine this when summer schedules aren't even out yet (won't be until June).
I would plan to arrive the night before unless your cruise departs late in the day.
>>>I suspect the La Spezia to Rome train is reliable<<<
Just as reliable as the CT trains.
Not sure how you can determine this when summer schedules aren't even out yet (won't be until June).
I would plan to arrive the night before unless your cruise departs late in the day.
>>>I suspect the La Spezia to Rome train is reliable<<<
Just as reliable as the CT trains.
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I rode the Cinque Terre milk shuttle trains several times in one day recently and they were always on time but yes leave as much time as possible - there were running about twice an hour at that time so take an earlier train and then wait an extra half hour for your other train.
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the fact that Mussolini got the trains to run on time is I hear a fallacy - a fact a fallacy - a few mainline trains did or were coerced to run to schedule but not nearly all the trains as is often what is said.
Mussolini did knock down lovely old train stations like in Rome, Venice and Florence and erect in their places sleek modern ones of the so-called fascist school of architecture.
Mussolini did knock down lovely old train stations like in Rome, Venice and Florence and erect in their places sleek modern ones of the so-called fascist school of architecture.
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The whole Mussolini trains running on time thing is a myth. Most of the repairs that had been done to improve the rail system were completed before the fascists came into power in 1922, and those repairs didn't contribute much to trains running on time anyway.
But back to the original question: I never put myself in a situation where a late train might seriously mess up my plans. I've been on hundreds of trains in Europe, including Italian ones, and have had more than a few occasions where trains were late. Cows on the track, serious weather issues, passenger with a heart attack, flooding, mechanical malfunction...are just a few of the things I remember that made trains late. It's not the norm, of course, but all it takes is one instance and your plans are blown. Go the night before.
But back to the original question: I never put myself in a situation where a late train might seriously mess up my plans. I've been on hundreds of trains in Europe, including Italian ones, and have had more than a few occasions where trains were late. Cows on the track, serious weather issues, passenger with a heart attack, flooding, mechanical malfunction...are just a few of the things I remember that made trains late. It's not the norm, of course, but all it takes is one instance and your plans are blown. Go the night before.