Italy Train Travel questions?
May 15th, 2007, 05:58 PM
#1
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Italy Train Travel questions?
Arriving in Genoa in September and staying for a few days in IR with day trips to CT.
Then on to Florence for the rest of the week. Also a day trip or two (maybe Lucca and Pisa).
I had a car rented, but most of you say "take the train"!
So, how? Trentilia? Europerail? Do I have to book in advance? If so, how far can I book in advance? First Class? Is Hotel Casci in Florence near the train station?
Can you please give me just the basics of train travel in Italy? I've been reading, but I'm a bit confused on it all.
Thanks, annieladd
Then on to Florence for the rest of the week. Also a day trip or two (maybe Lucca and Pisa).
I had a car rented, but most of you say "take the train"!
So, how? Trentilia? Europerail? Do I have to book in advance? If so, how far can I book in advance? First Class? Is Hotel Casci in Florence near the train station?
Can you please give me just the basics of train travel in Italy? I've been reading, but I'm a bit confused on it all.
Thanks, annieladd
May 15th, 2007, 06:18 PM
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You have many questions. There are many answers at:
http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail.htm
http://www.seat61.com/
Also use the search box above. These questions have been asked many many times at Fodors. There is a huge knowledge base here.
The "basics" is that you buy a ticket and get on the train. Carry your own luggage. Be early. Unfortunately Italian trains are not as intuitive as those in France and Germany but you will survive. Get a seat reservation if you must, but do it over there.
May 15th, 2007, 06:30 PM
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I have been reading, but still a bit unsure, so if it's OK I'd like to ask these questions on just the first leg of the trip.
I will be arriving in Genoa from US then traveling to Rapallo. Should I book my train travel in advance? If so, how much time should I give myself (from arrival of plane)? What happens if I'm late? And should I book it through Trentilia?
I will be arriving in Genoa from US then traveling to Rapallo. Should I book my train travel in advance? If so, how much time should I give myself (from arrival of plane)? What happens if I'm late? And should I book it through Trentilia?
May 15th, 2007, 06:50 PM
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There are a couple of trains an hour between Genova and Rapallo. Buy your ticket there. It's like getting on any city bus. Half an hour on the rail. No reservation required on most of them except the premium trains which save you about 10 minutes max.
May 15th, 2007, 07:58 PM
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You can look at the schedules in advance, but you should be fine. Just go to the train station and buy a ticket at one of the machines.
Try to get on an express train, as the slow trains can be, you guessed it, slow. Traveling second-class is no big deal - the seats aren't as nice but they are fine for trips that aren't too long.
Try to get on an express train, as the slow trains can be, you guessed it, slow. Traveling second-class is no big deal - the seats aren't as nice but they are fine for trips that aren't too long.
May 15th, 2007, 11:52 PM
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annieladd....well i surmise that you will be staying at The Casci in Firenze? Firenze is so compact that walking is not a problem unless you are just terribly out of shape.
The two of us stayed at Casci last Oct. and walked from Stazione Santa Maria Novella (SMN) each pulling a 22inch roller...takes about 10-15 minutes.
If you will be day tripping from Firenze, you can just go to SMN and use the automated ticket machines to grab you some tickets to Pisa/ Lucca...or whereever you decide to go. It is easy,has English option, and let's you pay with your Card. The Casci did have a computer in the lounge area for guest to use..you could look up the train schedules on the website trenitalia.com and even purchase tickets online. On a longer train trip rather than those day excursions that you are thinking about, you can even purchase your tickets frequently with a "ticketless" option by just choosing that option and printing out the page with your "PNR" code on it and just get on board without having to validate a real ticket. When the conductor asks for your tickets, just give him the PNR code and he/she will print out with a handheld device your ticket receipt. Now there is even an option to print your receipt in some cases directly from the computer so as to save the conductor from having to do it.
So many people have as it seems problems using the trenitalia site but it is really a simple process. 60 days out is usually the time that will allow you to purchase online if you choose to do so.
Also, if you are staying at the Casci, they will secure reservations for the Accademia and Uffizi if you ask them to do so. I emailed them and they secured ours the same day and shot us back an email with the confirmation codes etc.
The family at Casci is most helpful.
We were in Firenze near the end of our tour through Italy and used their laundry service and it was very reasonable and efficient.
back to the trains...researching your trip is the key really to any successful trip. Being familiar at least with where trains go or dont go..timetables...connections if any...etc. is key....a city may have several stations..know which station that you need to get off or on at beforehand...
One thing that you may not read about that I have experienced with italian train travel is that I think it is good to know your numbers in italian 1-20. I say this because sometimes you may be in a situation where the board at the station will display a train leaving from track(binario) 13. Yet, that may change and be switched to say binaro otto(track 8) yet the board may still display departure from track 13. Most of these switches occur as you hear them paged overhead on the loudspeaker, of course in italian..yet the board may not switch or, if it does, may be slower in doing so. So again, research beforehand and stay sharp when actually there.
The two of us stayed at Casci last Oct. and walked from Stazione Santa Maria Novella (SMN) each pulling a 22inch roller...takes about 10-15 minutes.
If you will be day tripping from Firenze, you can just go to SMN and use the automated ticket machines to grab you some tickets to Pisa/ Lucca...or whereever you decide to go. It is easy,has English option, and let's you pay with your Card. The Casci did have a computer in the lounge area for guest to use..you could look up the train schedules on the website trenitalia.com and even purchase tickets online. On a longer train trip rather than those day excursions that you are thinking about, you can even purchase your tickets frequently with a "ticketless" option by just choosing that option and printing out the page with your "PNR" code on it and just get on board without having to validate a real ticket. When the conductor asks for your tickets, just give him the PNR code and he/she will print out with a handheld device your ticket receipt. Now there is even an option to print your receipt in some cases directly from the computer so as to save the conductor from having to do it.
So many people have as it seems problems using the trenitalia site but it is really a simple process. 60 days out is usually the time that will allow you to purchase online if you choose to do so.
Also, if you are staying at the Casci, they will secure reservations for the Accademia and Uffizi if you ask them to do so. I emailed them and they secured ours the same day and shot us back an email with the confirmation codes etc.
The family at Casci is most helpful.
We were in Firenze near the end of our tour through Italy and used their laundry service and it was very reasonable and efficient.
back to the trains...researching your trip is the key really to any successful trip. Being familiar at least with where trains go or dont go..timetables...connections if any...etc. is key....a city may have several stations..know which station that you need to get off or on at beforehand...
One thing that you may not read about that I have experienced with italian train travel is that I think it is good to know your numbers in italian 1-20. I say this because sometimes you may be in a situation where the board at the station will display a train leaving from track(binario) 13. Yet, that may change and be switched to say binaro otto(track 8) yet the board may still display departure from track 13. Most of these switches occur as you hear them paged overhead on the loudspeaker, of course in italian..yet the board may not switch or, if it does, may be slower in doing so. So again, research beforehand and stay sharp when actually there.
