Train pass
Nov 3rd, 2012, 06:03 PM
#1
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Train pass
SO next year when I visit Italy, I will need to eventually make my way from Rome Down to Catania. I considered catching an early train to Naples and then a night train to Catania so that I could have a poke around Naples for a few hours. Would there be a safe place I could leave my luggage in order to do this or do you suggest a faster alternative?
I read about a night ferry but couldn't find a lot of info on it. Any advice from seasoned travellers would be great!
Also, basically I am planning about 8 bigger train trips between cities SO should I get a rail pass or purchase these separately? They are only inside Italy. And I am happy to catch a slow train
I read about a night ferry but couldn't find a lot of info on it. Any advice from seasoned travellers would be great!
Also, basically I am planning about 8 bigger train trips between cities SO should I get a rail pass or purchase these separately? They are only inside Italy. And I am happy to catch a slow train
Nov 3rd, 2012, 07:09 PM
#2
There are night ferries from Rome (port is Civitavecchia), Naples and Salerno. Schedules won't be posted until spring.
There is luggage storage at the train station and also at the port. Overnight ferries aren't cheap (wouldn't be covered by a pass), but depends on whether you are willing to share a cabin.
A rail pass often isn't cost effective for Italy unless you are doing a lot of long distance train travel. Even then, you can often book tickets really cheap in advance on Trenitalia.
There is luggage storage at the train station and also at the port. Overnight ferries aren't cheap (wouldn't be covered by a pass), but depends on whether you are willing to share a cabin.
A rail pass often isn't cost effective for Italy unless you are doing a lot of long distance train travel. Even then, you can often book tickets really cheap in advance on Trenitalia.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 07:22 PM
#3
>>>Also, basically I am planning about 8 bigger train trips between cities SO should I get a rail pass or purchase these separately? They are only inside Italy. And I am happy to catch a slow train <<<
Some towns only have bus service or the bus is more convenient and faster (such as between Siena and Florence). Some towns only are served by slow trains. Fast trains operate between the major cities and don't stop at small towns. You would need to list your travel before anyone can advise you on connections. You can book discount tickets for as little as 9€ on the fast trains.
FYI - All trains in Italy except the slow R trains require seat reservations (included in the price on Trenitalia). Seats are not included with the cost of a pass so you would have that expense on top of the pass price (most seats are 10€ each).
Some towns only have bus service or the bus is more convenient and faster (such as between Siena and Florence). Some towns only are served by slow trains. Fast trains operate between the major cities and don't stop at small towns. You would need to list your travel before anyone can advise you on connections. You can book discount tickets for as little as 9€ on the fast trains.
FYI - All trains in Italy except the slow R trains require seat reservations (included in the price on Trenitalia). Seats are not included with the cost of a pass so you would have that expense on top of the pass price (most seats are 10€ each).
Nov 4th, 2012, 01:44 AM
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You can go online to www.trenitalia.com and buy a super-economy ticket from Rome or Naples to Catania by daytime InterCity train from just €19, if you pre-book. Yes, train fares in Italy now work like budget airline fares! Still want a $500 pass?
There are similar cheap fares in a sleeper or couchette on the Rome/Naples-Sicily sleeper trains.
All the trains get shunted onto a train ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, a fascinating experience.
Yes, Naples Centrale has a left luggage office, no problem.
There are similar cheap fares in a sleeper or couchette on the Rome/Naples-Sicily sleeper trains.
All the trains get shunted onto a train ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, a fascinating experience.
Yes, Naples Centrale has a left luggage office, no problem.
Jan 3rd, 2013, 01:56 PM
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Also, basically I am planning about 8 bigger train trips between cities SO should I get a rail pass or purchase these separately?>
8 long trips then you should look into the Italy Railpass - if you buy an 8-day pass I would think it could be as cheap as 8 individual even discounted tickets and give you complete flexibility to chose what trains you want to take once in Italy. Even with the supplements that many long train trips would be cheaper I think with a pass - especially in first class which to me at least offers much more luxury than 2nd class though on the newer high-speed trains 2nd class can be quite nice - but first class IMO is always even nicer.
For lots of great info on Italian trains I always spotlight these fine fine IMO sties - www.seat61.com (Man in Seat 61 who posts above his commercial site - click on his commercial link to RailEurope to get pricing for Italy Railpasses and also these sites - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
8 long trips then you should look into the Italy Railpass - if you buy an 8-day pass I would think it could be as cheap as 8 individual even discounted tickets and give you complete flexibility to chose what trains you want to take once in Italy. Even with the supplements that many long train trips would be cheaper I think with a pass - especially in first class which to me at least offers much more luxury than 2nd class though on the newer high-speed trains 2nd class can be quite nice - but first class IMO is always even nicer.
For lots of great info on Italian trains I always spotlight these fine fine IMO sties - www.seat61.com (Man in Seat 61 who posts above his commercial site - click on his commercial link to RailEurope to get pricing for Italy Railpasses and also these sites - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
