Jo

Hello all, <BR>I have read the post on train travel in Italy. I have one other question. <BR> <BR>We will be 8 people two of which are small children. We will be in Italy for 16 days and want to go from Rome to Venice, Venice to Bologna and then Bologna into either Reggio Calabria or Messina. <BR> <BR>We will be spending 4 nights in Rome before heading to Venice, 3 nights in Venice and 2 nights in Bologna before going south. <BR> <BR>My question is - Should we make reservations here for the Rome-Venice route and then make the rest of them while in Italy? Or should we make them all here. <BR> <BR>I definitely want reservations for the Bologna to Sicily route but again would it be ok to make them there once we arrive? I am worried about having everyone together once on the train. <BR> <BR>Thanks for any help <BR>

Jo

I forgot to add that we will be traveling the last week in June and the first week in July. <BR> <BR>Rome-Venice will be on a Tuesday <BR>Venice-Bologna will be on a Friday <BR>Bologna-Messina will be on a Sunday. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR>

Roxanne

Jo, <BR> <BR>I just returned from 2 weeks in Italy and I booked the trains when I was there. We did Rome to Florence, Florence to Venice and Venice to Milan. We had no problems. If you are worried about it, get the tickets when you arrive at each city. That way you'll know ahead of time when you're leaving. There are lots of trains a day to the major cities so we had no problems. That would be my advice. You can always reserve them from here but I think it's a lot more expensive. <BR> <BR>Oh! When you get to the train stations, llok for the i sign for tourist information. There, they can help yu select a train for you and they explain everything (and they speak English). That way when you get to the ticket windown, you know what you are buying. <BR> <BR>Have fun and feel free to email me directly if you have any other qeustions! Ciao! <BR>

Paule

I have travelled during July twice, and both times, found it easy to book my train reservations when I was there. In fact, I was able to book reservations at a travel agency, instead of having to go to the train station. I believe that you can do that anywhere, though I don't know for sure. But I haven't found it necessary to book from the US. And, if you take the Eurostar (the Pendolino), there's no need to book first class. Second class is more than comfortable.

lina

We had no trouble booking in Italy about 8 days in advance for a sleeper compartment from Sicily to Bologna in October - and it was much, much cheaper than it would have been in the States. Any travel agent with FS in the window (Ferrovia Stato) can sell you tickets so you don't need to go to the station - much easier. You can ask at your hotel for closest agency.

RichardAB

I recommend making the reservations before you leave. On my last trip to Italy I found that the most popular trains from Rome to Venice were booked except for smoking cars! 5 hours in a smoking car is not fun. <BR> <BR>Did you see my websight? <BR> <BR>It not completely finished but the Rome path is ready&gt; <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab/ <BR> <BR>Follow the path Enter&gt;Fly&gt;Europe&gt;Rome

Christine

I just returned from Rome and Sorrento a few days ago. Why not book in advance? All the trains were pretty much packed (this in November) the overnight from Milan to Naples, Naples to Rome, Rome to Florence, Florence to Milan and Milan to Switzerland. On some routes some people without reservations had to sit in the corridor areas between cars. Save your time in Italy for enjoying yourself not trying to book trains. As mentioned above the 2nd class on the Pendolino and Cisalpino trains are more then comfortable enough. And if you book early you tend to get better seats and with such a large group you will be assured of being seated together and in a non-smoking section if required.

LJ

I would agree with the other post. You are traveling on a popular route. If you have 8 people with you I would also advise that you either pay a higher fare in the states to guarentee a seat or book the minute you get to your destination in Italy. I know, because I had to sit on the floor from Bologna to Florence and it was even worse from Florence to Rome. Standing on a packed train with all my luggage, never again!! Have fun.

Robin

--- <BR>Jo: <BR> <BR>Just got back from Italy last night. I've always bought my tickets when over there & usually at the train station. <BR> <BR>However in your situation as you'll be traveling with 8 people and on popular routes I would suggest that you definitely purchase them a couple days in advance. You can wait until you're over in Italy, but it would be best to not wait until the actual day of travel. As others have suggested you can do this thru a travel agent; or can find the American Express office in that city; or even go to the train station to purchase your advance tickets. <BR> <BR>A word about the information booth at the train stations. I noticed that often there was a long line of folks waiting to get their questions answered. In Venice I waited almost 30 minutes (take a number & wait your turn). <BR> <BR>Whenever possible (& particularly on your Rome to Venice trip), do travel on the EuroStar - LOVE those ES trains. I've gone both first class & second class. Second class is perfectly adequate. As for times & prices, you can check all that info ahead of time through the "FS" website. You won't be going for several months --- so probably be best to wait until closer to your travel time as schedules may change. But to get a sense of things, log onto the URL at: <BR>http://www.fs-on-line.com/ <BR> <BR>

Sandi

I just returned Sat. night and we did Milan-Veron, Verona-Venice, Venice-Florence, Sorrento-Naples-Rome (3 of us) without prior reservations. True, some of the cars were crowded but there are many trains per day. Just remember that if you decide to book first class that you insist on seat reservations. I assumed that buying a first class ticket would assure me a seat in the 1st class cars...wrong. Check your ticket before stepping away from the window. Have fun!