Just checking Trenitalia - are all the trains really sold out?
Jul 16th, 2013, 07:34 AM
#1
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Just checking Trenitalia - are all the trains really sold out?
Hi all - could someone please check something for me to be sure I am doing this right?
My husband and I are going from FCO Rome airport to Manarola in Cinque Terre on Saturday, September 22, sometime after noon. I looked at the Trenitalia site and every option seems to be sold out except for 10 pm. Could this really be true? That would really be a shame for us as we had decided not to rent a car. We also don't want to arrive in manarola at 10 pm because of walking up the steep hill with our luggage after dark, and I'm sure the owner would not be too happy to have us arrive that late.
What am I missing here, or am I really too late to be considering the train for this particular trip?
My husband and I are going from FCO Rome airport to Manarola in Cinque Terre on Saturday, September 22, sometime after noon. I looked at the Trenitalia site and every option seems to be sold out except for 10 pm. Could this really be true? That would really be a shame for us as we had decided not to rent a car. We also don't want to arrive in manarola at 10 pm because of walking up the steep hill with our luggage after dark, and I'm sure the owner would not be too happy to have us arrive that late.
What am I missing here, or am I really too late to be considering the train for this particular trip?
Jul 16th, 2013, 07:57 AM
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Thanks bob - I was hoping that something like that might be the case. Do we just buy the ticket the day of travel, or could we buy it, say, a week in advance when we first arrive in Rome?
Or, should we buy a ticket to La Spezia in advance and buy the last leg the day of?
Thanks Bob - you always come through for me!
Or, should we buy a ticket to La Spezia in advance and buy the last leg the day of?
Thanks Bob - you always come through for me!
Jul 16th, 2013, 10:17 AM
#5
Are you wanting to go into Termini (Leonardo Express) and catch a fast train part of the way (Pisa? La Spezia)? Do you want to take a local train (FR1) to Trastevere from FCO and change trains there to go up the coast?
You can book the fast trains 120 days in advance, but it's always a risk on arrival day.
You can book the fast trains 120 days in advance, but it's always a risk on arrival day.
Jul 16th, 2013, 10:23 AM
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We will arrive at the airport between 11 and 12 (not from a flight thus the unknown exact time). I was just starting to look at train schedules and the FRECCIABIANCA seems to be the part that is not available. (Is that a regional train?) We'd probably prefer the fastest and most direct train, not necessarily through Rome, but whatever it takes to avoid having to take 5 trains. Also, a couple of years ago, we took a train from Orvieto to Rome and it was HOT, HOT, HOT! We'd like to be more comfortable this time!
Is the train along the coast more scenic than others?
Thanks - Any advice is definitely welcome!
Is the train along the coast more scenic than others?
Thanks - Any advice is definitely welcome!
Jul 16th, 2013, 02:20 PM
#10
>>>nd the FRECCIABIANCA seems to be the part that is not available. (Is that a regional train?)<<<
No, Frecciabianca is the fast train.
>>are all the trains really sold out?<<<
>>>Of course not---that regional train is one you cannot book in advance.<<<
It's true, regional train tickets can only be bought online 7 days in advance (not a good idea as they have more restrictions and shorter validity). That is not the problem here. Trenitalia has a glitch (saw this a month or two ago when someone was trying to book a ticket from Venice to Milan for Aug). Trenitalia does not have the fares loaded for some (not all) of the fast trains on this route after Sept. 7. If you enter Roma Termini and La Spezia for Sept. 7 you will see the Frecciabianca train #9764 (departs 8:10) available for purchase. If you enter any date after that, it says seats sold out and not available for purchase which is just a default. I told the person on the Venice/Milan thread to keep checking every day for them to update. They were updated in spurts (a few weeks added on a time). Keep checking.
There are several Frecciabianca's from Rome Termini to La Spezia that don't require a change.
Departures:
12:10
13:29
15:40
Travel time varies (3:15 to around 4 hours)
You would have to catch the Leonardo (14€)to Termini(departs every 30 minutes and travel time is 30 minutes). The Leonardo is a regional train. I would not attempt to buy this in advance. There are no discounts, no reserved seating, no classes and since it's a regional train, it doesn't sell out.
From La Spezia, you would change to the R train. While you could buy these when buying your Leonardo ticket, I wouldn't as they might have a specific time window for use (Leonardo tickets can be restricted to a two hour time window for use). These tickets are about 2€ and travel time is 10 minutes. Should be several per hour.
There are a couple of groceries in Termini where you can buy drinks/food (sandwiches, etc.)to take on board.
No, Frecciabianca is the fast train.
>>are all the trains really sold out?<<<
>>>Of course not---that regional train is one you cannot book in advance.<<<
It's true, regional train tickets can only be bought online 7 days in advance (not a good idea as they have more restrictions and shorter validity). That is not the problem here. Trenitalia has a glitch (saw this a month or two ago when someone was trying to book a ticket from Venice to Milan for Aug). Trenitalia does not have the fares loaded for some (not all) of the fast trains on this route after Sept. 7. If you enter Roma Termini and La Spezia for Sept. 7 you will see the Frecciabianca train #9764 (departs 8:10) available for purchase. If you enter any date after that, it says seats sold out and not available for purchase which is just a default. I told the person on the Venice/Milan thread to keep checking every day for them to update. They were updated in spurts (a few weeks added on a time). Keep checking.
There are several Frecciabianca's from Rome Termini to La Spezia that don't require a change.
Departures:
12:10
13:29
15:40
Travel time varies (3:15 to around 4 hours)
You would have to catch the Leonardo (14€)to Termini(departs every 30 minutes and travel time is 30 minutes). The Leonardo is a regional train. I would not attempt to buy this in advance. There are no discounts, no reserved seating, no classes and since it's a regional train, it doesn't sell out.
From La Spezia, you would change to the R train. While you could buy these when buying your Leonardo ticket, I wouldn't as they might have a specific time window for use (Leonardo tickets can be restricted to a two hour time window for use). These tickets are about 2€ and travel time is 10 minutes. Should be several per hour.
There are a couple of groceries in Termini where you can buy drinks/food (sandwiches, etc.)to take on board.
Jul 17th, 2013, 06:13 AM
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tuscan - We're going to a cooking school for a week in Abruzzo and at the end, they bring us back to the airport. From there, on to Cinque Terre!
Is the train station right in the airport or do we need to travel to get there?
Is the train station right in the airport or do we need to travel to get there?
Jul 17th, 2013, 06:35 AM
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ky - thanks for the detailed answer!
I'll keep checking on the trains from Termini. Should I buy that segment as soon as one opens up? And if I do, are reserved seats required? And, should we consider first class?
La Spezia has 2 stations. Do we want Centrale to be able to continue on to Manarola?
If we buy a ticket for the 13:29 and miss it, do you know if we could use the ticket on the following train?
If we buy for the 15:40 and are very early, can we use the ticket on the 13:29 train?
Obviously, you see that I don't know our exact schedule! If we arrive at the airport at say noon, how much time would you think we should allow to get to the station, catch the Leonardo Expr, get to Rome and get to the next train? I've seen that the trains are close in Termini so that part is a matter of minutes I suppose. Is an 1 1/2 hours enough time or way too close?
I'll keep checking on the trains from Termini. Should I buy that segment as soon as one opens up? And if I do, are reserved seats required? And, should we consider first class?
La Spezia has 2 stations. Do we want Centrale to be able to continue on to Manarola?
If we buy a ticket for the 13:29 and miss it, do you know if we could use the ticket on the following train?
If we buy for the 15:40 and are very early, can we use the ticket on the 13:29 train?
Obviously, you see that I don't know our exact schedule! If we arrive at the airport at say noon, how much time would you think we should allow to get to the station, catch the Leonardo Expr, get to Rome and get to the next train? I've seen that the trains are close in Termini so that part is a matter of minutes I suppose. Is an 1 1/2 hours enough time or way too close?
Jul 17th, 2013, 07:00 AM
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kwren: this is just an idea, but it might simplify things.
Since you are coming from the cooking school in Abruzzo (did you go there before? Or am I thinking of someone else?), is it possible to make your own alternate arrangements to get to Roma Termini for your train to La Spezia?
I believe you do want La Spezia Centrale for Manarola, but I'll let someone who knows better than I confirm that.
Since you are coming from the cooking school in Abruzzo (did you go there before? Or am I thinking of someone else?), is it possible to make your own alternate arrangements to get to Roma Termini for your train to La Spezia?
I believe you do want La Spezia Centrale for Manarola, but I'll let someone who knows better than I confirm that.
Jul 17th, 2013, 08:59 AM
#15
>>>Should I buy that segment as soon as one opens up? And if I do, are reserved seats required?<<<
Tickets purchased on Trenitalia for all the faster trains (AV/Freccia, IC) come with your seat assignment (you can select your own - the system defaults to auto seating so you need to make sure you check select your own). If you want a reduced price, they will most likely be available as soon as the trains get loaded.
This is a pic of 2nd class for the fast trains (Freccia/AV). Usually Freccia trains will have a dining car and a snack bar (stand up). I think the particular route only has the snack bar.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg
>>If we buy a ticket for the 13:29 and miss it, do you know if we could use the ticket on the following train?
If we buy for the 15:40 and are very early, can we use the ticket on the 13:29 train?<<<
Tickets (except for R trains) are for a specific train/seat. You cannot just hop another train. Full fare tickets can be changed, but only up until time of departure. You would have to read the rules. Enter Rome/La Spezia, select the Frecciabianca train, on the left click the i beside each fare (Base, Economy, Supereconomy). Tickets for the fast trains are checked on board. You do not need to validate any ticket that shows a specific train and seat, but you must show it when they come around (don't toss until you get off).
>>>La Spezia has 2 stations.<<<
You want Centrale. Fast trains won't stop at all the little stations. Doubtful the Freccia would stop at the other station.
>>>If we arrive at the airport at say noon, how much time would you think we should allow to get to the station, catch the Leonardo Expr, get to Rome and get to the next train? <<<
Hard to say. Will they drop you right by the FCO train station or somewhere else? You would have to allow time to buy your ticket and the Leonardo departs at :08 and :38. If you arrived just as a train was pulling out, you would have to wait 1/2 hour for the next one. Travel time is 32 minutes. Validate this ticket before boarding. They will check. All R tickets have to be validated before boarding. You might get checked on the La Spezia/Manarola also and you don't want to be fined.
>>>I've seen that the trains are close in Termini so that part is a matter of minutes I suppose<<<
Currently, the Leonardo is dropping at one of the main tracks. At times, in the not so distant past, they've dropped at a satellite track (tracks 25&26) and they seem to change it at times. It's probably a 10 minute walk from the satellite track to the other tracks. You could also arrive track #24 and need to depart track #1. Your train car # (cars have #'s on the outside and class #) could be quite a distance from the head of the tracks (maybe 7-8 cars back).
On this map, select piano binari for the track layout. You will see the satellite tracks in the upper right corner.
http://www.romatermini.com/it/map/
Tickets purchased on Trenitalia for all the faster trains (AV/Freccia, IC) come with your seat assignment (you can select your own - the system defaults to auto seating so you need to make sure you check select your own). If you want a reduced price, they will most likely be available as soon as the trains get loaded.
This is a pic of 2nd class for the fast trains (Freccia/AV). Usually Freccia trains will have a dining car and a snack bar (stand up). I think the particular route only has the snack bar.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg
>>If we buy a ticket for the 13:29 and miss it, do you know if we could use the ticket on the following train?
If we buy for the 15:40 and are very early, can we use the ticket on the 13:29 train?<<<
Tickets (except for R trains) are for a specific train/seat. You cannot just hop another train. Full fare tickets can be changed, but only up until time of departure. You would have to read the rules. Enter Rome/La Spezia, select the Frecciabianca train, on the left click the i beside each fare (Base, Economy, Supereconomy). Tickets for the fast trains are checked on board. You do not need to validate any ticket that shows a specific train and seat, but you must show it when they come around (don't toss until you get off).
>>>La Spezia has 2 stations.<<<
You want Centrale. Fast trains won't stop at all the little stations. Doubtful the Freccia would stop at the other station.
>>>If we arrive at the airport at say noon, how much time would you think we should allow to get to the station, catch the Leonardo Expr, get to Rome and get to the next train? <<<
Hard to say. Will they drop you right by the FCO train station or somewhere else? You would have to allow time to buy your ticket and the Leonardo departs at :08 and :38. If you arrived just as a train was pulling out, you would have to wait 1/2 hour for the next one. Travel time is 32 minutes. Validate this ticket before boarding. They will check. All R tickets have to be validated before boarding. You might get checked on the La Spezia/Manarola also and you don't want to be fined.
>>>I've seen that the trains are close in Termini so that part is a matter of minutes I suppose<<<
Currently, the Leonardo is dropping at one of the main tracks. At times, in the not so distant past, they've dropped at a satellite track (tracks 25&26) and they seem to change it at times. It's probably a 10 minute walk from the satellite track to the other tracks. You could also arrive track #24 and need to depart track #1. Your train car # (cars have #'s on the outside and class #) could be quite a distance from the head of the tracks (maybe 7-8 cars back).
On this map, select piano binari for the track layout. You will see the satellite tracks in the upper right corner.
http://www.romatermini.com/it/map/
Jul 17th, 2013, 02:25 PM
#18
Trenitalia says they are using tracks 23/24 for the Leonardo.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
Aug 4th, 2013, 10:50 AM
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Hi all,
I'm having the exact same problem that kwren first had (all trains from rome to the cinque terre area are "sold out" online), but it's now 2.5 weeks later. Any ideas of whether this will get resolved at some point (soon) or if it is indeed now the case that trains are sold out?
Thanks!
I'm having the exact same problem that kwren first had (all trains from rome to the cinque terre area are "sold out" online), but it's now 2.5 weeks later. Any ideas of whether this will get resolved at some point (soon) or if it is indeed now the case that trains are sold out?
Thanks!
Aug 4th, 2013, 12:09 PM
#20
>>>I'm having the exact same problem that kwren first had (all trains from rome to the cinque terre area are "sold out" online<<<
It appears they are still only loaded through Sept. 7. They should be loaded through mid-Dec (should have been on there since June). When this happened a month or so ago on the Venice/Milan line (August dates not loaded), Trenitalia didn't get them loaded until a week or two before. Keep checking.
kwren - Termini has a big remodeling project with tracks 23/24 being the first pushed back (all eventually pushed back to enlarge the shopping/services area of the station). Don't know where they are in the process, but construction is supposed to take 3-4 years.
http://www.romatermini.com/en/un-nuo...-roma-termini/
It appears they are still only loaded through Sept. 7. They should be loaded through mid-Dec (should have been on there since June). When this happened a month or so ago on the Venice/Milan line (August dates not loaded), Trenitalia didn't get them loaded until a week or two before. Keep checking.
kwren - Termini has a big remodeling project with tracks 23/24 being the first pushed back (all eventually pushed back to enlarge the shopping/services area of the station). Don't know where they are in the process, but construction is supposed to take 3-4 years.
http://www.romatermini.com/en/un-nuo...-roma-termini/
