EuroRail- Italy vs. Tickets
Mar 29th, 2015, 12:16 PM
#1
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EuroRail- Italy vs. Tickets
Hello All,
My husband and I are visiting Europe for the first time for our honeymoon.
We are thinking of starting in Nice and visiting the following:
Nice (3 days)
Cinque Terre (3 days)
Florence/Tuscany (4 days)
Venice (2 days).
We are not sure if it's best to get a EuroRail for Italy, but since Nice is in France should we just do tickets and we are taking 4-5 major train trips at most...
What would be the wisest option? Please help!!
We plan on doing a lot of walking and only trains/buses- no car rental.
Thanks so much,
S.
My husband and I are visiting Europe for the first time for our honeymoon.
We are thinking of starting in Nice and visiting the following:
Nice (3 days)
Cinque Terre (3 days)
Florence/Tuscany (4 days)
Venice (2 days).
We are not sure if it's best to get a EuroRail for Italy, but since Nice is in France should we just do tickets and we are taking 4-5 major train trips at most...
What would be the wisest option? Please help!!
We plan on doing a lot of walking and only trains/buses- no car rental.
Thanks so much,
S.
Mar 29th, 2015, 12:56 PM
#2
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the pass will not be good for you IMO - trains between Nice and Genoa - only direct trains are on a train line that I believe does not accept Eurailpasses or only does so at a discount.
Trains Genoa to CT are mainly dirt-cheap regional trains and ditto to Florence.
Florence to Venice you could say at www.trenitalia.com if you book way in advance but even at full fare a Eurail Italy Pass is no good for your plans.
For lots on Italian trains in general check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted train tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Trains Genoa to CT are mainly dirt-cheap regional trains and ditto to Florence.
Florence to Venice you could say at www.trenitalia.com if you book way in advance but even at full fare a Eurail Italy Pass is no good for your plans.
For lots on Italian trains in general check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted train tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Mar 29th, 2015, 02:54 PM
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The optimal train, an EC - EuroCity train leaves Nice-Ville daily at 8:90 am (or soon will not sure when service starts) and the next one at about 10:30am - taking about 2.5 hours - 1.5 hours faster than non-direct connections - wise to be on either on those two trains. Check www.voyages-sncf.com for more details and possible discounted fares you can book in advance. Seat reservations are compulsory on these trains - change at Genoa to slow regional trains to the CT (not a high-speed line so no high-speed trains).
Mar 30th, 2015, 02:51 AM
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You are not clocking up enough mileage for an unlimited travel pass to make any sense at all.
Book Nice to Monterosso at www.trenitalia.com from around 27 euros
Also book tickets in Italy at www.trenitalia.com - Monterosso to Florence from around 25 euros, Florence to venice from 19 euros.
Book Nice to Monterosso at www.trenitalia.com from around 27 euros
Also book tickets in Italy at www.trenitalia.com - Monterosso to Florence from around 25 euros, Florence to venice from 19 euros.
Mar 30th, 2015, 04:36 AM
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Is that 27 euros Nice to Monterosso on the EC direct Nice-Genoa trains or on slower sumpier regional trains in which case you add two hours to an already longer day?
Man - what trains are those fares available on? If not EC trains think twice - cheapest is not always the best despite that being the fodor's/Man in Seat 61 mantra IME.
Man - what trains are those fares available on? If not EC trains think twice - cheapest is not always the best despite that being the fodor's/Man in Seat 61 mantra IME.
Mar 30th, 2015, 05:26 AM
#6
>>>Book Nice to Monterosso at www.trenitalia.com from around 27 euros<<<
Not sure where Monterosso was plucked from (the OP said CT), but I disagree. Trenitalia requires you pick up tickets you buy online from them between countries in Italy at a station with a kiosk. If that has changed, it's not been changed on their website and is still listed as a requirement on their info page (last line).
***PLEASE NOTE: International tickets may be bought on this site and picked up at the self-service tellers in the Italian stations only. ***
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD
This could be that Trenitalia hasn't updated their website, but in the past, people have bought tickets online from Trenitalia departing from a different country only to be unable to retrieve them. I do know there are Thello kiosks at the stations in France on this route (and I think they have a Trenitalia logo on them too), but until someone reports they've been able to retrieve a ticket purchased online from Trenitalia in France, I'm not sure I would risk it. You can buy the Nice/Genoa leg directly from Thello on their website if you want this particular train (there are other local trains, but Thello would be much nicer) and retrieve it at the kiosk in Nice. Thello has a special on the Nice/Genoa leg for 15€.
https://www.thello.com/
If you want to see more options departing Nice, you would need to look on the French rail site. Thello only runs a few trains per day and some of these are already sold out on certain dates in summer and the French web site will show the regional trains between Nice and Italy. Many of the Thello morning departures are sold out for quite a few other dates also so you might need to take the regional trains.
>>>Also book tickets in Italy at www.trenitalia.com - Monterosso to Florence<<<<
I wouldn't do this either. Many of the trains between CT and Florence are going to be the slower regional trains and will require a change or two (so will any faster trains, but there are less of them and times might not suit). Regional tickets are only sold 7 days in advance online at Trenitalia (at the station you can buy them months in advance including your arrival day at CT) and online ticket have more restrictions than buying them walk-up (prices never change on regional tickets). There is no advantage to buying regional tickets online as there are no discounts, no reserved seating and they don't sell out. Regional tickets bought at the station must be validated before boarding (box trackside).
>>>Florence to venice from 19 euros.<<<
I would go on and buy this on Trenitalia if you want to snag the current discount for the fast train which is actually 17€ (Trenitalia is running an extra special discount at the moment vs. full price of 44€). It depends on when you plan to travel. You can buy this online from them 120 days in advance. Special prices can sell out.
>>we are taking 4-5 major train trips at most..<<<
FYI - Some of these will be on regional trains which have no amenities. Fast trains that have amenities, typically only stop at major towns. Small towns are served by the regional trains. For Tuscany, many towns don't have rail service at all so you may need to take buses (often no Sunday service). Depends on where you want to go.
Unless you really want to hike CT (which is dependent on weather), I would drop a night there as you've shortchanged Venice (two hotel nights somewhere only gives you one day).
Not sure where Monterosso was plucked from (the OP said CT), but I disagree. Trenitalia requires you pick up tickets you buy online from them between countries in Italy at a station with a kiosk. If that has changed, it's not been changed on their website and is still listed as a requirement on their info page (last line).
***PLEASE NOTE: International tickets may be bought on this site and picked up at the self-service tellers in the Italian stations only. ***
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD
This could be that Trenitalia hasn't updated their website, but in the past, people have bought tickets online from Trenitalia departing from a different country only to be unable to retrieve them. I do know there are Thello kiosks at the stations in France on this route (and I think they have a Trenitalia logo on them too), but until someone reports they've been able to retrieve a ticket purchased online from Trenitalia in France, I'm not sure I would risk it. You can buy the Nice/Genoa leg directly from Thello on their website if you want this particular train (there are other local trains, but Thello would be much nicer) and retrieve it at the kiosk in Nice. Thello has a special on the Nice/Genoa leg for 15€.
https://www.thello.com/
If you want to see more options departing Nice, you would need to look on the French rail site. Thello only runs a few trains per day and some of these are already sold out on certain dates in summer and the French web site will show the regional trains between Nice and Italy. Many of the Thello morning departures are sold out for quite a few other dates also so you might need to take the regional trains.
>>>Also book tickets in Italy at www.trenitalia.com - Monterosso to Florence<<<<
I wouldn't do this either. Many of the trains between CT and Florence are going to be the slower regional trains and will require a change or two (so will any faster trains, but there are less of them and times might not suit). Regional tickets are only sold 7 days in advance online at Trenitalia (at the station you can buy them months in advance including your arrival day at CT) and online ticket have more restrictions than buying them walk-up (prices never change on regional tickets). There is no advantage to buying regional tickets online as there are no discounts, no reserved seating and they don't sell out. Regional tickets bought at the station must be validated before boarding (box trackside).
>>>Florence to venice from 19 euros.<<<
I would go on and buy this on Trenitalia if you want to snag the current discount for the fast train which is actually 17€ (Trenitalia is running an extra special discount at the moment vs. full price of 44€). It depends on when you plan to travel. You can buy this online from them 120 days in advance. Special prices can sell out.
>>we are taking 4-5 major train trips at most..<<<
FYI - Some of these will be on regional trains which have no amenities. Fast trains that have amenities, typically only stop at major towns. Small towns are served by the regional trains. For Tuscany, many towns don't have rail service at all so you may need to take buses (often no Sunday service). Depends on where you want to go.
Unless you really want to hike CT (which is dependent on weather), I would drop a night there as you've shortchanged Venice (two hotel nights somewhere only gives you one day).
Mar 30th, 2015, 06:16 AM
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kywildcatbourbon- Is that EC train a Thello train - I think you said that before and that it could be bought in Nice - just to clarify for me if possible - you are a wealth of info on the byzantine Italian train fares and Fodors is lucky to have you.
The EC question comes up because I see direct Nice to Genoa trains now being labeled EC - would Thello trains be labeled or are these in fact different trains?
Thanks in advance.
The EC question comes up because I see direct Nice to Genoa trains now being labeled EC - would Thello trains be labeled or are these in fact different trains?
Thanks in advance.
Mar 30th, 2015, 06:58 AM
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The direct trains from Nice to Genova are Thello trains. There are three a day on weekdays, at 8:09, 14:09, and 18:09. They also have direct trains to Torino.
Where have you seen them referred to as EC trains?
You can get advance purchase cheap fares on these trains if you buy them far enough in advance. Discounted tickets are limited in number, and are not exchangeable or refundable. The cheapest fares for these train (and also for EC trains) are called Smart fares. Other discounted fares are Smart2 and Go.
They're not particularly speedy trains, nor do they have modern carriages. Their advantage is that they save a bit of time, and avoid the change of train at Ventimiglia. They cost 60% more than the trip on the two separate trains.
Where have you seen them referred to as EC trains?
You can get advance purchase cheap fares on these trains if you buy them far enough in advance. Discounted tickets are limited in number, and are not exchangeable or refundable. The cheapest fares for these train (and also for EC trains) are called Smart fares. Other discounted fares are Smart2 and Go.
They're not particularly speedy trains, nor do they have modern carriages. Their advantage is that they save a bit of time, and avoid the change of train at Ventimiglia. They cost 60% more than the trip on the two separate trains.
Mar 30th, 2015, 07:08 AM
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Nice Ville Tu, 31.03.15 dep 18:09 EC 147
EC 148 Eurocity
Subject to compulsory reservation , 1st class only , 2nd class only , Global price , space for wheelchairs
Runs as EC 147 up to Genova Piazza Principe, then as EC 148
Milano Centrale Tu, 31.03.15 arr 22:50
bvienci - thanks for your expertise too! This comes from bahn.de - EC trains - 3 or 4 a day - some only to Genoa this one to Milan.
I guess Thello could run EC trains too?
again thanks!
EC 148 Eurocity
Subject to compulsory reservation , 1st class only , 2nd class only , Global price , space for wheelchairs
Runs as EC 147 up to Genova Piazza Principe, then as EC 148
Milano Centrale Tu, 31.03.15 arr 22:50
bvienci - thanks for your expertise too! This comes from bahn.de - EC trains - 3 or 4 a day - some only to Genoa this one to Milan.
I guess Thello could run EC trains too?
again thanks!
Mar 30th, 2015, 09:50 AM
#10
>>> Is that EC train a Thello train <<<
Yes, as bvlenci already pointed out.
>>>Where have you seen them referred to as EC trains?<<<
I've seen them listed EC also.
>>>The cheapest fares for these train (and also for EC trains) are called Smart fares. <<<<
I'm not sure that applies to all international connections on Trenitalia anymore as I've seen some other fares. On this particular route (Nice/Genoa Thello train) it appears the cheapest fare is Smart and the next cheapest is Go (in the past I would only see Go on the Swiss rail site for trains from Switzerland to Italy). Normally, the next cheapest is called Smart 2 (none showing on this particular route, only Smart and Go). Might just be a Trenitalia IT glitch.
Yes, as bvlenci already pointed out.
>>>Where have you seen them referred to as EC trains?<<<
I've seen them listed EC also.
>>>The cheapest fares for these train (and also for EC trains) are called Smart fares. <<<<
I'm not sure that applies to all international connections on Trenitalia anymore as I've seen some other fares. On this particular route (Nice/Genoa Thello train) it appears the cheapest fare is Smart and the next cheapest is Go (in the past I would only see Go on the Swiss rail site for trains from Switzerland to Italy). Normally, the next cheapest is called Smart 2 (none showing on this particular route, only Smart and Go). Might just be a Trenitalia IT glitch.
Mar 30th, 2015, 11:25 AM
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I'm just wondering if railpasses are valid on those EC trains - I know they are not on Thello or at best get a minor discount? Of course if you go for the cheapest discounted ticket and don't want flexibility it would no doubt be cheaper than burning a day on a pass.
Mar 30th, 2015, 01:56 PM
#12
>>>I'm just wondering if railpasses are valid on those EC trains - I know they are not on Thello or at best get a minor discount? <<<
You can get a discount off the Flexi adult fare (25%) booking on Thello. I don't see any option to use a pass for this particular train on Trenitalia (not even to get the discount available on Thello's website). To use your railpass on Thello, after entering cities/date, look below and click the box for "passengers with promo code". Your code is your pass number. It might save you a few bucks if all the discounted tickets are gone (regular fare Nice/Genoa is 35€).
You can get a discount off the Flexi adult fare (25%) booking on Thello. I don't see any option to use a pass for this particular train on Trenitalia (not even to get the discount available on Thello's website). To use your railpass on Thello, after entering cities/date, look below and click the box for "passengers with promo code". Your code is your pass number. It might save you a few bucks if all the discounted tickets are gone (regular fare Nice/Genoa is 35€).
Mar 30th, 2015, 02:07 PM
#13
Correction. I think I figured out how to book a pass code for the Thello train on Trenitalia's website. Select your train and when you do a fare box appears where you can see all fares choices for that train. Below the box, click "view other offers" or "vedi altre offerte" on the Italian version. This screen is defaulting to the GO fare. Click the down arrow on the Go fare box and scroll down to Special. Then you will get a box to enter the code/pass. The fare that appears is the 25% discount.
Apr 2nd, 2015, 05:25 AM
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Again kybourbon thanks a lot for that work! One thing with a pass if you only get a discount then you do not have to burn a day on a flexipass - just as long as the pass is valid for its overall validity period - so a pass can save some money without using a day on a pass at times here.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
