donw

We never get train tickets in advance anywhere in Europe but we'll be traveling on May 1st on this trip and I'm a little concerned about needing to do this one in advance. Should I get tics in advance for this trip?

PalenQ

No need to on that line as many of the trains are regional trains that do not even take reservations - there are a few IC trains but marginally faster and a fairly flat fare base so just buy those ticket as you go along.

Unlike high-speed trains in Italy that do require reservations and for which you can get deep discounts buying way in advance on those trains Nice to Ventimiglia - to Genoa - to Monterosso again are mainly regional or at most IC trains - no need to buy in advance - trains like those never sell out IME.

For lots of great info on Italian trains check these IMO superb surces: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.con - the latter two sources give some info on the 5 Terre too.

PalenQ

Currently no trains go thru the French-Italian border so a change of trains at Ventigmilgia is always necessary (except for the Nice to Moscow overnight train!) - but soon or maybe already at least one thru fast train - EC train will be restored - check schedule sites of that as it will make it a lot quick and easier than the hassle of changing at Ventimiglia.

kybourbon

>>>Currently no trains go thru the French-Italian border so a change of trains at Ventigmilgia is always necessary (except for the Nice to Moscow overnight train!) - but soon or maybe already at least one thru fast train - EC train will be restored<<<

I don't know about an EC train on this route, but you can book the Thello from Nice to Genoa in advance. You would have to change there for Monterosso. Thello is operating a route from Marseilles to Milan along the French coast with stops in Nice and Genoa. They are offering a price of 15€ which might be an introductory price.

https://www.thello.com/index.html

kybourbon

FYI - It's not a night train like other Thello routes. Starting in mid-April there are three departure times you can select from Nice.

StuDudley

Also, remember that May 1 is a major holiday in France and it's on a Friday too. So the French have a 3 day weekend. Italians too... More traffic, I would imagine.

Stu Dudley

PalenQ

Good news about once again haveing direct Nice to Genoa trains!

the EC train I think I read about on www.seat61.com would go onto Milan too - folks with railpasses will find they are not valid I thinkon Thello trains or only ge a discount.

neckervd

There are 4 direct Ventimiglia - Monterosso trains daily, 5 hrs journey, Fare 17 EUR, no reservation needed

kybourbon

>>>There are 4 direct Ventimiglia - Monterosso trains daily, 5 hrs journey, Fare 17 EUR, no reservation needed<<<

Yes, but they are all regional trains (no amenities) which don't have seat reservations. It's possible you could have to stand for 4 1/2-5 hours. If they book the Thello, they would have seats from Nice to Genoa. Also, there is an option of an IC train from Genoa to Monterosso they could book and have reserved seats for that leg. I probably would just take the next available train from Genoa onward as that leg is only an hour and I'm not a fan of IC trains if they are compartment style.

FYI - I saw a vid of someone buying a Thello ticket from a ticket kiosk. It listed the train as EC. They are similar to Trenitalia's Frecce trains. Open cars with seats facing each other and flip out tables (some seats at ends of cars have plane style flip down trays instead). Thello doesn't list the amenities for this train on their website. The video did show a snack car, but not a dining car.

PalenQ

Direct regional trains to Monterrso from Ventimiglia leave at 6:48am and 7:48 am - the next one is not to just before noon - to catch the earlier ones you'd have leave Nice at an ungodly hour and yes regional trains IME in Italy are not very comfy for a long long haul - these have no first class and though since there are no reservations you would never stand the whole time (unless the whole train load was going from Ventimiglia to Monterosso - unlikely - when others get up froms eats toget off midway you'd get a seat in not too long an order I would think!)

PalenQ

Do you or anyone know if you can just walk up and buy Thello tickets in Nice - not sure of the video you are talking about being in Nice or in Italy. I would presume you could in Nice if not pre-booked but best I think to be pre-booked and get a discount and a ticket and place for sure on trains that may be popular because they are the only viable ones going thru the border.

kybourbon

>>>Do you or anyone know if you can just walk up and buy Thello tickets in Nice - not sure of the video you are talking about being in Nice or in Italy.<<<

****Tickets are available at all Trenitalia sales outlets and also at the thello.com website.
From midDecember, passengers will also be able to buy their tickets from Thello's self-service ticket machines at the station in Marseilles, Toulon, Nice, Monaco and Menton. A Thello Shop will also be opening at Nice station early 2015.****

https://www.thello.com/_meta/downloa...ure_Ventes.pdf

PalenQ

thanks a lot kybourbon!

folks with railpasses before using Thello should check to see if their pass is valid on Thello trains - they only get a minor discount on Thello night trains I believe so I would expect little if any.

kybourbon

While this video doesn't say where the kiosks are, but they are clearly labeled Thello and I would assume the ones in France will look similar. Starts about 25 secs into the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hidKDNCiuas

travelnut265

Hi
I like to buy my tickets if I know exactly where I want to be on a specific day.You can get good deals and travel 1st class which I tend to like when travelling distances in Italy.I have travelled between Nice and the Cinque Terre a few times and prefer the coast/slow route.
I have bought many tickets via www.trenitalia.com . I do not register and have the tickets either printed out(from the email sent) or sent to a phone via email as a reference number for the conductor to scan.You have many choices for your day of travel.
Goodluck

PalenQ

travelnut - I too am a big booster of first class on long distance trains - a world of difference, especially for travelers carrying luggage and first-class tickets exist in first class too so it need not cost an arm and a leg. On the trip of a lifetime go first class IMO based on multiple dozens of Italian train rides.

kybourbon

>>>I have travelled between Nice and the Cinque Terre a few times and prefer the coast/slow route.
I have bought many tickets via www.trenitalia.com . I do not register and have the tickets either printed out(from the email sent) or sent to a phone via email as a reference number for the conductor to scan<<<

This does not help the OP who will be in France. Trenitalia still states cross border tickets old on Trenitalia must be retrieved in Italy.

PalenQ

There is only one route - Nice to Genoa and onto the 5 Terre - the slow coastal route - Thello trains will be faster overall since there is no border change and probably don't stop as much as Regional or IC trains - but I believe the tracks are exactly the same with either train - the very slow congested coastal route.