Italian train system
Jan 24th, 2012, 07:08 PM
#1
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Italian train system
Trip to Italy this spring all arranged smoothly, except for . . . TRAIN travel. I've researched on several travel sites and have read uncountable user reviews and comments. At least I know it's not JUST ME. The forums are filled with people pulling their hair out. Could it be any more complicated?? For example, this official decree: "All passes must be purchased before you leave for Europe" led me to three full days on line trying to purchase a Eurail Italy Pass Saver pass---Can't be done as they don't accept my "foreign" credit card. Huh? Guess I can't get the 30% discount for a 15-day pre-purchase either since I can't buy the pass 15 days before I get there. Huh?
Jan 24th, 2012, 07:19 PM
#2
State your travel itineray. It's likely a pass is more expensive than point-to-point tickets purchased in Italy. You can also purchase in advance and get discount tickets (as much as 60% discount) on the Italian train website Trenitalia.
Jan 24th, 2012, 08:13 PM
#4
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I'm a fan of Kentucky bourbon myself. I'll try the Trenitalia site AGAIN. I must be doing something VERY wrong. How can I purchase in advance if it won't accept my Visa or Mastercard? My itinerary is set: Arriving in Rome (is it really $83 to get from airport to train station in city!?) then going to stay in Florence for two weeks, with the weekend up to Venice, before returning to Rome to fly back to Detroit. I have been trying to compare the cost of buying each of the four tickets separately with using the "Eurail Italy Pass Saver" for 4 days travel---cost of pass is $230. That's WAY MORE than I expected.
Jan 24th, 2012, 08:25 PM
#5
Without any possible discounts or seat reservation fees (which you would still pay with a pass), the fares look like this for tomorrow:
Rome airport to Rome Termini - 14 euros, all one class
Rome Termini to Florence SMN - 63 euros 1st, 45 euros 2nd*
Florence SMN to Venice SL - 60 euros 1st, 43 euros 2nd
Venice SL to Rome airport - 118 euros 1st, 90 euros 2nd
* There is a cheaper but much slower option with fares of 26,30 euros 1st, 17,15 euros 2nd.
FWIW, I would only buy 1st class for the longer Venice-Rome leg.
Rome airport to Rome Termini - 14 euros, all one class
Rome Termini to Florence SMN - 63 euros 1st, 45 euros 2nd*
Florence SMN to Venice SL - 60 euros 1st, 43 euros 2nd
Venice SL to Rome airport - 118 euros 1st, 90 euros 2nd
* There is a cheaper but much slower option with fares of 26,30 euros 1st, 17,15 euros 2nd.
FWIW, I would only buy 1st class for the longer Venice-Rome leg.
Jan 24th, 2012, 10:34 PM
#7
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If you really must get this done before setting off, try this site - which may be easier to use...
http://www.italiarail.com/
Unsurprisingly, haven't bought from them myself but generally good reports on Tripadvisor - at least until the time Trenitalia made it easier to use foreign cards on their site... after which the stream of posts about problems with that has more or less dried up!
Once the introduction of email tickets removed the need for an expensively-insured delivery of paper ones, the cost difference shrank - but you should still check, obviously, that their price, markup and exchange rates make it worthwhile?
As long as you're OK with the applicable terms and conditions, look here for the tickets they sell under the Mini scheme and others:
http://www.italiarail.com/rail-promotions
And if not especially familiar with rail travel here, it may pay to read this...
http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm
Peter
PS - Those going later in the year shouldn't bother trying to book beyond May 6th, as tickets for almost all trains after then aren't available at present!
http://www.italiarail.com/
Unsurprisingly, haven't bought from them myself but generally good reports on Tripadvisor - at least until the time Trenitalia made it easier to use foreign cards on their site... after which the stream of posts about problems with that has more or less dried up!
Once the introduction of email tickets removed the need for an expensively-insured delivery of paper ones, the cost difference shrank - but you should still check, obviously, that their price, markup and exchange rates make it worthwhile?
As long as you're OK with the applicable terms and conditions, look here for the tickets they sell under the Mini scheme and others:
http://www.italiarail.com/rail-promotions
And if not especially familiar with rail travel here, it may pay to read this...
http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm
Peter
PS - Those going later in the year shouldn't bother trying to book beyond May 6th, as tickets for almost all trains after then aren't available at present!
Jan 25th, 2012, 03:27 PM
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Thank you all for your kind instructions. So much for university degrees, huh? I've never felt so stupid in my 60+ years. Just finished another four hours on Trenitalia site. Whew. I was finally able to get most of my routes & schelules to show up. Yes, Jean---I see a choice for the Rome to Florence leg--- an ES for 45euro or an IC for 30euro. So the question is, Do I want to spend $20 to cut my travel time in half? Probably. I'll stop sweating it and give up trying to stay within the budget. After all---I'm going to live & study language & art in Florence this spring!!
Jan 25th, 2012, 03:52 PM
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BEWARE BEWARE: With one exception, those Intercity (IC) trains between Rome and Florence go into Firenze RIFREDI Station and not the main Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Station. From RIFREDI you must connect to an unreserved regionale train for the remaining 5-minute hop into SMN.
If you want to save money by avoiding the pricey Freccia trains, take an unreserved regionale between Rome and Florence-SMN for only 17.15 Euros (BUT NOTE that travel time is four hours versus 95 minutes on the Freccia train!).
Otherwise, book in advance and get a discounted "MINI" fare on the Freccia train (BUT NOTE the severe restrictions of the "MINI" fares).
If you want to save money by avoiding the pricey Freccia trains, take an unreserved regionale between Rome and Florence-SMN for only 17.15 Euros (BUT NOTE that travel time is four hours versus 95 minutes on the Freccia train!).
Otherwise, book in advance and get a discounted "MINI" fare on the Freccia train (BUT NOTE the severe restrictions of the "MINI" fares).
Jan 25th, 2012, 04:38 PM
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Annettafly, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that feels so stupid when it comes to train travel. We are going to Europe the end of August til the end of October and are doing it my train! We have all our reservations and rentals in order and the train is the last thing! And in my opinion the hardest to do! I'm going to keep checking on your post to see if I can get some information for our future trip being we can't buy until later. Good luck with your trip and have fun!
Jan 25th, 2012, 05:06 PM
#11
I would not use Italiarail as they mark up the prices.
Unless you plan to book Mini Fares, I wouldn't book any of this in advance. The train from the airport to Rome doesn't have discounted tickets so it will be 14€. If you want to save money, take the shuttle bus instead (8€ and runs hourly).
http://www.sitbusshuttle.com/fares/
I also wouldn't book the train to Florence if it's on arrival day as you have no way of knowing if your plane will be late.
If you want to save money by getting a Mini Fare for the Florence/Venice and Venice/Rome trains, then book them once you get to Florence.
As for a pass,you can't get a saver pass unless there is someone traveling with you. It's for 2 or more traveling together at all times. It also wouldn't cover the airport train unless you bought a 1st class pass. Fees for the fast trains with a pass will 10€ each train(about $13 right now).
Unless you plan to book Mini Fares, I wouldn't book any of this in advance. The train from the airport to Rome doesn't have discounted tickets so it will be 14€. If you want to save money, take the shuttle bus instead (8€ and runs hourly).
http://www.sitbusshuttle.com/fares/
I also wouldn't book the train to Florence if it's on arrival day as you have no way of knowing if your plane will be late.
If you want to save money by getting a Mini Fare for the Florence/Venice and Venice/Rome trains, then book them once you get to Florence.
As for a pass,you can't get a saver pass unless there is someone traveling with you. It's for 2 or more traveling together at all times. It also wouldn't cover the airport train unless you bought a 1st class pass. Fees for the fast trains with a pass will 10€ each train(about $13 right now).
Jan 29th, 2012, 03:43 PM
#12
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OK You've convinced me that the saver pass is useless cuz we'll still have to pay supplements to take the fast trains. But I am traveling with somebody so we meet the requirement for the saver pass. I know it's NOT NECESSARY to buy tickets in advance, but I sure would like to look at prices/schedules so I can make other plans that are time sensitive. Spent two hours today on Trenitalia site. Still get no results. I put in my departure and arrival cities---Rome to Florence, Florence to Venice, Venice to Florence, Florence to Rome---and the response tells me these are nonexistant or invalid stations.???????????????? I did find my way to info about the MINIS---LOOKS WAY CHEAPER. Given that I've been at this for two months, and have two months left to continue the battle, I hold on to hope for victory.
Jan 29th, 2012, 04:23 PM
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These are popular routes.You should have no trouble finding trains for these routes. Did you use this site? Did you use European dates (Day-Month-Year)
http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html
Try looking at schedules for next week, using the same day of the week you hope to travel. Try using the Italian names for the stations.
Roma TE (Termini)
Firenze SMN (Santa Maria Novella)
Venezia SL (Santa Lucia)
http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html
Try looking at schedules for next week, using the same day of the week you hope to travel. Try using the Italian names for the stations.
Roma TE (Termini)
Firenze SMN (Santa Maria Novella)
Venezia SL (Santa Lucia)
Jan 29th, 2012, 06:45 PM
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Trains in Italy are so easy to use. (unless they are on strike)I personally would never book anything more than 1 or 2 days in advance. easy to use ticket machines in station. Need to know how the ticket system works though- Go to slowtrav.com- good section on train travel in italy.
Jan 29th, 2012, 07:49 PM
#16
>>>Spent two hours today on Trenitalia site. Still get no results. I put in my departure and arrival cities---Rome to Florence, Florence to Venice, Venice to Florence, Florence to Rome---and the response tells me these are nonexistant or invalid stations.????????????????<<<
No clue as to what your search problem could be unless you are using the LeFrecce link on Trenitalia. Trenitalia is not the difficult to use. It should only take a minute or two to find your trains. If you are using the LeFrecce link, you must enter the Italian spellings of each city.
Here are step by step instructions with screen pictures of how to register, find tickets and purchase.
http://www.roninrome.com/%20transpor...italia-website
No clue as to what your search problem could be unless you are using the LeFrecce link on Trenitalia. Trenitalia is not the difficult to use. It should only take a minute or two to find your trains. If you are using the LeFrecce link, you must enter the Italian spellings of each city.
Here are step by step instructions with screen pictures of how to register, find tickets and purchase.
http://www.roninrome.com/%20transpor...italia-website
Jan 29th, 2012, 08:08 PM
#17
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Annettafly,
Sounds like we are of the same vintage (age).I like independent travel, but like to reserve my major train tickets ahead of time, I always use http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/
With 3 major trips to Italy, France and the UK this company has been 100 percent reliable. My tickets are mailed ahead of time, the owner tells me which ones I can easily buy in Europe, gives me the different timetables and costs.
Mind you I pretty much have figured that out ahead of time. But it is so convenient to have BETS make the seat reservations.
Sounds like we are of the same vintage (age).I like independent travel, but like to reserve my major train tickets ahead of time, I always use http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/
With 3 major trips to Italy, France and the UK this company has been 100 percent reliable. My tickets are mailed ahead of time, the owner tells me which ones I can easily buy in Europe, gives me the different timetables and costs.
Mind you I pretty much have figured that out ahead of time. But it is so convenient to have BETS make the seat reservations.
Jan 30th, 2012, 10:16 AM
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". Spent two hours today on Trenitalia site. Still get no results. I put in my departure and arrival cities---Rome to Florence, Florence to Venice, Venice to Florence, Florence to Rome---and the response tells me these are nonexistant or invalid stations.????????????????"
I had the same problem when I put the actual date of my trip, i.e. June 11th for the traveling date. NOTHING.
When I enter March 11th it shows me all the trains and schedule. My guess is that the website can't see too far in advance, try to put a closer date on your traveling date. It will show times, by Summer the prices may be higher, but timing usually isn't.
I had the same problem when I put the actual date of my trip, i.e. June 11th for the traveling date. NOTHING.
When I enter March 11th it shows me all the trains and schedule. My guess is that the website can't see too far in advance, try to put a closer date on your traveling date. It will show times, by Summer the prices may be higher, but timing usually isn't.
Jan 30th, 2012, 11:09 AM
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Eurail Italy Pass vs Regular Fares:
Rome airport to Rome Termini - 14 euros, all one class
Rome Termini to Florence SMN - 63 euros 1st, 45 euros 2nd*
Florence SMN to Venice SL - 60 euros 1st, 43 euros 2nd
Venice SL to Rome airport - 118 euros 1st, 90 euros 2nd
271 euros 1st class v $239 for a 3-day Saver Eurail Italy Pass
218 euros 2nd class v $196 for 3-day Saver pass
271 euros at 1.30 euros to $ =$353 vs $239 for the pass
in first class
In 2nd class $288 vs $196 for a pass
I added in 3 x 10 euros for seat reservations into the fares so it seems that, contrary to many claims on Fodors that a pass in Italy is always a waste of money that indeed a Eurail Italy Pass can be a great deal - for the OP's travels at regular fares it would cost $353 and $288 respectively vs $239 and $216 p.p.
meaning if you go to Italy and buy regular priced tickets at stations you would save, with a pass $92 p.p. in 1st class and $72 in 2nd class - again mandatory seat reservation fees added in.
And regular 2nd class fares add up to significantly more than a 1st class railpass.
Am I doing something wrong or, if someone desires flexibility once there to take any train they want and not have to pre-book weeks in advance on a specific.
Note this is for a Saverpass as most folks have and per person but even a single traveler would save money.
And the more days on a pass you get - a 4-day the extra days become extremely cheap - about 15 euros in 2nd class I think for say a 4th unlimited travel day.
So folks who want to wait until Italy to make reservations should strongly look at the Eurail Italy Pass - again it seems too good of a deal so please point out my mistakes. I even used an optimal 1$ to 1>30 euro exchange rate which you would not get right now and even many credit cards used in Europe tack on a 3% fee. The pass is only marketed outside Italy so you buy it at no fee in your home country.
Even with some discounted tickets the pass would it seems be better for folks using the trains on several days to go a few hours or so a day.
Rome airport to Rome Termini - 14 euros, all one class
Rome Termini to Florence SMN - 63 euros 1st, 45 euros 2nd*
Florence SMN to Venice SL - 60 euros 1st, 43 euros 2nd
Venice SL to Rome airport - 118 euros 1st, 90 euros 2nd
271 euros 1st class v $239 for a 3-day Saver Eurail Italy Pass
218 euros 2nd class v $196 for 3-day Saver pass
271 euros at 1.30 euros to $ =$353 vs $239 for the pass
in first class
In 2nd class $288 vs $196 for a pass
I added in 3 x 10 euros for seat reservations into the fares so it seems that, contrary to many claims on Fodors that a pass in Italy is always a waste of money that indeed a Eurail Italy Pass can be a great deal - for the OP's travels at regular fares it would cost $353 and $288 respectively vs $239 and $216 p.p.
meaning if you go to Italy and buy regular priced tickets at stations you would save, with a pass $92 p.p. in 1st class and $72 in 2nd class - again mandatory seat reservation fees added in.
And regular 2nd class fares add up to significantly more than a 1st class railpass.
Am I doing something wrong or, if someone desires flexibility once there to take any train they want and not have to pre-book weeks in advance on a specific.
Note this is for a Saverpass as most folks have and per person but even a single traveler would save money.
And the more days on a pass you get - a 4-day the extra days become extremely cheap - about 15 euros in 2nd class I think for say a 4th unlimited travel day.
So folks who want to wait until Italy to make reservations should strongly look at the Eurail Italy Pass - again it seems too good of a deal so please point out my mistakes. I even used an optimal 1$ to 1>30 euro exchange rate which you would not get right now and even many credit cards used in Europe tack on a 3% fee. The pass is only marketed outside Italy so you buy it at no fee in your home country.
Even with some discounted tickets the pass would it seems be better for folks using the trains on several days to go a few hours or so a day.
Jan 31st, 2012, 03:25 AM
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Forgetting dollars, in these circumstances - a single passenger - what I'm seeing on the Eurail site for a 3 day pass is €210 in 1st - or €171 in 2nd. Add to that €10 for each of 3 reservations and it's €240 or €201.
As against that, at the base fares:
€14 - on the 1st class-only Leonardo Express
€63 (1st) or €45 (2nd) to Florence
€60 or €43 to Venice
€118 or €90 back to Rome and out to Fiumicino
When I add those up, I get totals of just €255 for 1st, and €192 in 2nd... don't you?
Seems to me that the only way this traveller can show any saving with a pass is by convincing herself to go in 1st - whilst ignoring that individual 2nd class tickets would be almost €50 less expensive!
Or am I wrong?
Peter
As against that, at the base fares:
€14 - on the 1st class-only Leonardo Express
€63 (1st) or €45 (2nd) to Florence
€60 or €43 to Venice
€118 or €90 back to Rome and out to Fiumicino
When I add those up, I get totals of just €255 for 1st, and €192 in 2nd... don't you?
Seems to me that the only way this traveller can show any saving with a pass is by convincing herself to go in 1st - whilst ignoring that individual 2nd class tickets would be almost €50 less expensive!
Or am I wrong?
Peter
