New to train travel, questions on trains in Italy
Feb 24th, 2008, 04:04 PM
#1
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New to train travel, questions on trains in Italy
My husband and I have decided to return to Ireland then flying on to Italy to enjoy both countries in April.
We have never train traveled within our own country, let alone outside our country and our language, and would truly appreciate some guidance in a few things.
We will be flying into Italy and spending time in VENICE before taking a train to FLORENCE. We will travel then from FLORENCE to ROME.
Having read and watched travel videos(til our eyes feel like they will bleed), we have also decided we'd like a day trip (yes, only a day trip) to POMPEII.
Questions below:
1. Would we be better off buying an 3 days unlimited, in 2 months train pass (first class) for $225? If I am understanding it right, it will cover our trips
a) Venice to Florence (one way)
b) Florence to Pisa, then on to Rome (one way)
c) Rome to Naples (with return same day)
I understand we will have to take the Circumvesuviana Railway from Naples to Pompeii, and return, but that cost seems to be quite reasonable.
2. Unless I am reading the train sites wrong, and YES, that could be very true, I see these costs for point to point train travel.
a) Venice to Florence $128 (second class)
b) Florence to Rome $120 (second class)
c) Rome to Naples $252 (second class return)
is this information close to the costs of these trips?
3. What sites, if it IS cheaper point to point, should I be looking at for train fare.
4. Would it be easier to get the train tickets from someplace like an Amercian Express Travel Agent office when there?
We are so anxious to discover a place we had never really thought of ourselves at! I have many friends who have been to Rome, never really traveling out of that city, who adored it and the people of Italy. We are excited to enjoy Rome...as well as, get to see more of such a wonderful country.
Thank each of you, in advance, for any help...guidance, and EDUCATION, on what is best to do, how to do it and when in this situation!
Karen
We have never train traveled within our own country, let alone outside our country and our language, and would truly appreciate some guidance in a few things.
We will be flying into Italy and spending time in VENICE before taking a train to FLORENCE. We will travel then from FLORENCE to ROME.
Having read and watched travel videos(til our eyes feel like they will bleed), we have also decided we'd like a day trip (yes, only a day trip) to POMPEII.
Questions below:
1. Would we be better off buying an 3 days unlimited, in 2 months train pass (first class) for $225? If I am understanding it right, it will cover our trips
a) Venice to Florence (one way)
b) Florence to Pisa, then on to Rome (one way)
c) Rome to Naples (with return same day)
I understand we will have to take the Circumvesuviana Railway from Naples to Pompeii, and return, but that cost seems to be quite reasonable.
2. Unless I am reading the train sites wrong, and YES, that could be very true, I see these costs for point to point train travel.
a) Venice to Florence $128 (second class)
b) Florence to Rome $120 (second class)
c) Rome to Naples $252 (second class return)
is this information close to the costs of these trips?
3. What sites, if it IS cheaper point to point, should I be looking at for train fare.
4. Would it be easier to get the train tickets from someplace like an Amercian Express Travel Agent office when there?
We are so anxious to discover a place we had never really thought of ourselves at! I have many friends who have been to Rome, never really traveling out of that city, who adored it and the people of Italy. We are excited to enjoy Rome...as well as, get to see more of such a wonderful country.
Thank each of you, in advance, for any help...guidance, and EDUCATION, on what is best to do, how to do it and when in this situation!
Karen
Feb 24th, 2008, 04:19 PM
#2
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These are the fares I see on www.trenitalia.com
Venice-Florence, 2nd class
standard fare 32.30 Euro
Amica fare (20% off), 25.80 Euro
Florence - Pisa is about 10Euro each on the milk wagon
Pisa - Rome
standard 28.50 Euro
Amica 20.40 Euro
Rome - Naples
standard 36.1 each way
Amica 28.90 each way
Total
standard 143 Euro / $212 US
Amica 114 Euro / $169 US
Venice-Florence, 2nd class
standard fare 32.30 Euro
Amica fare (20% off), 25.80 Euro
Florence - Pisa is about 10Euro each on the milk wagon
Pisa - Rome
standard 28.50 Euro
Amica 20.40 Euro
Rome - Naples
standard 36.1 each way
Amica 28.90 each way
Total
standard 143 Euro / $212 US
Amica 114 Euro / $169 US
Feb 24th, 2008, 04:27 PM
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And the fares that J62 has given you include mandatory seat reservations for Venice-Florence and Rome-Naples return. If you have a rail pass, just the seat reservation is 10 Euro each trip or about $45. per person for the three trips.
Feb 24th, 2008, 04:35 PM
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You might want to try the Rail Europe Pass Finder at http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/pa...nder/index.htm
You enter your itinerary and the pass finder returns your best options.
You enter your itinerary and the pass finder returns your best options.
Feb 24th, 2008, 06:31 PM
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1. I would buy point-to-point tickets once I arrive in Italy. No need to buy them before you get there. Forget the pass.
2 & 3 Go to http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html to check ticket prices.
4. I think you'll love Italy and become enchanted as many have.
[email protected]
2 & 3 Go to http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html to check ticket prices.
4. I think you'll love Italy and become enchanted as many have.
[email protected]
Feb 24th, 2008, 07:25 PM
#7
I think the seat reservation fee for pass holders on ES trains is 15€ ($22) and less (about 5&euro
for IC trains. You probably would want to use the faster ES trains so you will need to add these fees to the pass cost making your actual cost $313 ($225+$88). A pass is rarely cost effective for Italy.
Slow Trav has some great info on trains in Italy from how to use the ticket machines (complete with pictures) to types of trains and services.
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/trains/index.htm
for IC trains. You probably would want to use the faster ES trains so you will need to add these fees to the pass cost making your actual cost $313 ($225+$88). A pass is rarely cost effective for Italy.Slow Trav has some great info on trains in Italy from how to use the ticket machines (complete with pictures) to types of trains and services.
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/trains/index.htm
Feb 24th, 2008, 07:32 PM
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Oh! Where di you get those point-to-point fares in Italy? Those prices are way out of left field.
You've gotten great advice her. Enjoy Italy...it's stolen many a heart here.
BTW, do those amica fares require advance purchase? If so, then it would be wise for lkemerson to purchase the tickets 60 days out for the days they wish to travel, and print out all necessary confirmation numbers to show to the conductor on the train when they come around checking tickets.
You've gotten great advice her. Enjoy Italy...it's stolen many a heart here.
BTW, do those amica fares require advance purchase? If so, then it would be wise for lkemerson to purchase the tickets 60 days out for the days they wish to travel, and print out all necessary confirmation numbers to show to the conductor on the train when they come around checking tickets.
