Train through Italy. Travel tips needed.
Mar 12th, 2011, 05:43 AM
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Train through Italy. Travel tips needed.
Hello!
My boyfriend and I are planning our summer vacation and we would appreciate some advice and tips. We are flying to Milan and this is our temporary travel route:
Milan-Genoa (maybe a stop in Piza)-Florence-Naples and the Amalfi Coast and last but not least Rome, where we take the plane back to Norway.
Does this seem like a good route?Are we missing something? (I have been to Venice)
We are staying for 17 days, do we have time to go all these places? We aren't planning on staying for long the most places.
We are students, so needless to say we have to travel cheap. Is it expensive to travel by train? Should we order the train tickets in advance? It would be nice to be a bit spontaneous and not have the whole trip planned day by day, but if it is more expensive to buy the tickets at the station I guess we should plan ahead.
If you know of some cheap and good (we are not that high maintenance) hotels/b&b in these cities it would be great. Especially on the Amalfi Coast where we are planning our relaxing, beach vacation. We have been trying to find a hotel near the beach but it seems like everything is very expensive.
What are the nicest beaches on the Amalfi Coast?
Thanks for your answers
My boyfriend and I are planning our summer vacation and we would appreciate some advice and tips. We are flying to Milan and this is our temporary travel route:
Milan-Genoa (maybe a stop in Piza)-Florence-Naples and the Amalfi Coast and last but not least Rome, where we take the plane back to Norway.
Does this seem like a good route?Are we missing something? (I have been to Venice)
We are staying for 17 days, do we have time to go all these places? We aren't planning on staying for long the most places.
We are students, so needless to say we have to travel cheap. Is it expensive to travel by train? Should we order the train tickets in advance? It would be nice to be a bit spontaneous and not have the whole trip planned day by day, but if it is more expensive to buy the tickets at the station I guess we should plan ahead.
If you know of some cheap and good (we are not that high maintenance) hotels/b&b in these cities it would be great. Especially on the Amalfi Coast where we are planning our relaxing, beach vacation. We have been trying to find a hotel near the beach but it seems like everything is very expensive.
What are the nicest beaches on the Amalfi Coast?
Thanks for your answers
Mar 12th, 2011, 06:01 AM
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For lots of answers to questions on Italian trains check out these fantastic IMO sites - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuroeptravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - if you are under 26 you may be eligible for the Eurail Italy Youthpass which would give you flexibility to chose what trains you want to take as you travel and give you a cheaper rate than buying regular tickets at ticket windows I should think (not sure - shceck regular fares at www.trenitalia.com - Italian Railways web site - schedules too. But I am not positive residents of Norway are eligible to buy this pass - they may be or as European residents you may not be so check it out.
Mar 12th, 2011, 06:45 AM
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Italian trains are cheap if you avoid the high-speed trains. Use www.trenitalia.com to check fares and times, but select a date in the next week as they don't show regional trains any further in advance. Prices for regional trains are the same whenever you travel and there is no need to buy in advance.
For reasonable accommodation, try a guide book such as the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet. For beaches, the Amalfi coast is probably not the best choice. Your choice might depend on when you're travelling: if you go between mid July and the end of August, then everywhere will be crowded with Italian families.
For reasonable accommodation, try a guide book such as the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet. For beaches, the Amalfi coast is probably not the best choice. Your choice might depend on when you're travelling: if you go between mid July and the end of August, then everywhere will be crowded with Italian families.
Mar 12th, 2011, 06:48 AM
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Hi F,
The Thorntree Forum at www.lonelyplanet.com is a very good place for young people on a budget.
Train schedules and prices are www.trenitalia.com
The Thorntree Forum at www.lonelyplanet.com is a very good place for young people on a budget.
Train schedules and prices are www.trenitalia.com
Mar 12th, 2011, 06:49 AM
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How long wout it take by regional train say Florence to Naples however? All day instead of the 3.5 hours or so via the high-speed train so yes regional trains are dirt cheap but are only practicaly for the average tourist for very short trips, like Florence to Pisa.
I took a regional train Rome to Florence recently and it took about 4 hours va the 1.5 via high speed train - I love stopping at every sleep station but the average traveler wants to get to say Rome in 2.5 hours quicker and start seeing the sights. Forget regional trains IMO except for really short journeys. Plus they are much much less comfy - with often hard metal seats IMO and can get real crowded as they are often commuter trains.
I took a regional train Rome to Florence recently and it took about 4 hours va the 1.5 via high speed train - I love stopping at every sleep station but the average traveler wants to get to say Rome in 2.5 hours quicker and start seeing the sights. Forget regional trains IMO except for really short journeys. Plus they are much much less comfy - with often hard metal seats IMO and can get real crowded as they are often commuter trains.
Mar 14th, 2011, 05:39 AM
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Get a copy of Let's Go Italy - the so-called 'bible' for young backpacker travelers in Europe - it has a wealth of info but a strong point is its coverage of zillions of inexpensive places to stay - from hostels to pensions to budget hotels to youth hotels to B&Bs, etc.
any bookstore or check one out of your library. Lots of money saving tips IME.
any bookstore or check one out of your library. Lots of money saving tips IME.
Mar 14th, 2011, 06:42 AM
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Here's SlowTravel's detailed instructions for training in Italy: www.slowtrav.com/italy/trains/index.htm.
Anther option for cheap accommodations in Italy are monasteries and convents. However the curfew might cramp your style.
Anther option for cheap accommodations in Italy are monasteries and convents. However the curfew might cramp your style.
Mar 14th, 2011, 09:00 AM
#9
Actually, on some routes buses can be just as fast and much cheaper. The Marozzi or Curreri buses from Sorrento to Rome are only 17€. On many routes R trains are only a few minutes slower, not hours and on some routes there are no fast trains (AV/ES) at all.
For Milan/Genoa, the difference between the IC train (17.50€ or advance purchase mini fare for 11€) and the slower R train (9.10€) is only 20 minutes travel time.
You can also save lots of money buying your tickets for the faster trains online in advance from Trenitalia (mini fares).
There is a rail pass for Europeans, but I'm not sure it would save you any money in Italy.
Along the Amalfi Coast you would be using the local buses. If you plan to be in the area at lease 3 days, I would suggest you get the 3 day Tutta La Regione Campania Arte Card (purchase in Naples train station) for 27€. This would cover all your transport for three days (from Naples to Paestum) including trams/metros in Naples, the commuter train Circumvesuviana between Naples/Sorrento and buses along the coast. It will also give you free admission to two sites and discounts at other sites after the free admissions. The best value use is for Pompeii or Herculaneum since they regularly cost 11€ each. Only the Tutta La Regione 3 day includes transport, the other Arte Cards don't. If you want transport only along the coast, you can buy a transport only pass from Unico Campania.
http://www.artecard.it/#
http://www.unicocampania.it/index.ph...anner=costiera
Something similar in Rome for three days is the Roma Pass. Best value use is Colosseum/Forum/Palantine (counts as one entrance) and either the Capitoline Museum or Borghese (Borghese requires reservation by phone telling them you are using the pass). You can re-enter the Colosseum/Forum/Palantine over the three days.
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2
For Milan/Genoa, the difference between the IC train (17.50€ or advance purchase mini fare for 11€) and the slower R train (9.10€) is only 20 minutes travel time.
You can also save lots of money buying your tickets for the faster trains online in advance from Trenitalia (mini fares).
There is a rail pass for Europeans, but I'm not sure it would save you any money in Italy.
Along the Amalfi Coast you would be using the local buses. If you plan to be in the area at lease 3 days, I would suggest you get the 3 day Tutta La Regione Campania Arte Card (purchase in Naples train station) for 27€. This would cover all your transport for three days (from Naples to Paestum) including trams/metros in Naples, the commuter train Circumvesuviana between Naples/Sorrento and buses along the coast. It will also give you free admission to two sites and discounts at other sites after the free admissions. The best value use is for Pompeii or Herculaneum since they regularly cost 11€ each. Only the Tutta La Regione 3 day includes transport, the other Arte Cards don't. If you want transport only along the coast, you can buy a transport only pass from Unico Campania.
http://www.artecard.it/#
http://www.unicocampania.it/index.ph...anner=costiera
Something similar in Rome for three days is the Roma Pass. Best value use is Colosseum/Forum/Palantine (counts as one entrance) and either the Capitoline Museum or Borghese (Borghese requires reservation by phone telling them you are using the pass). You can re-enter the Colosseum/Forum/Palantine over the three days.
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2
Mar 14th, 2011, 11:38 AM
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For Milan/Genoa, the difference between the IC train (17.50€ or advance purchase mini fare for 11€) and the slower R train (9.10€) is only 20 minutes travel time>
And on these trains you can travel in first class for only an addition 4.6 euros (for a nearly two hour trip) on Regionale trains and 6.6 euros on IC trains - about the cost of two cappuccinos!
And on these trains you can travel in first class for only an addition 4.6 euros (for a nearly two hour trip) on Regionale trains and 6.6 euros on IC trains - about the cost of two cappuccinos!
Mar 14th, 2011, 01:05 PM
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I, too, am a big believer in "Let's Go Italy"--great all-around info for budget travelers. However, in the most recent editions, they have become less comprehensive about the places they describe. Let's Go used to be one of the few guides that discussed cities, towns and regions a bit more off the beaten path. Much of this type of info has been removed in favor of a smaller book highlighting the most famous locations.
Mar 15th, 2011, 05:28 AM
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Do this a bunch in fact just set up an April train trip there
always fly into MXP cheaper.
Then hop regional trains like a local from 2 euro/hour
avoid pass always a rip.
www.eurocheapo.com
www.backpackeurpe.com
First go up to www.stresa.org
then down to PortoFino/Cinqueterre area
www.hostel5terre.com
www.lucca.info Rome Florence Venice www.sirmione.com Milan
Otel.com my fav site for cheap hotels
just booked www.hotelpausania.it in Venice for 59 euro/nt
with them awesome value.
Happy journey stay flexible for best experience.
always fly into MXP cheaper.
Then hop regional trains like a local from 2 euro/hour
avoid pass always a rip.
www.eurocheapo.com
www.backpackeurpe.com
First go up to www.stresa.org
then down to PortoFino/Cinqueterre area
www.hostel5terre.com
www.lucca.info Rome Florence Venice www.sirmione.com Milan
Otel.com my fav site for cheap hotels
just booked www.hotelpausania.it in Venice for 59 euro/nt
with them awesome value.
Happy journey stay flexible for best experience.
Mar 15th, 2011, 05:30 AM
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might be pushing it to get to amalfi in the time you have
but I recently booked www.hoteldelfino.com for 40 euro/nt
Otel.com another awesome value there.
So good luck!
but I recently booked www.hoteldelfino.com for 40 euro/nt
Otel.com another awesome value there.
So good luck!
Mar 15th, 2011, 08:57 AM
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en hop regional trains like a local from 2 euro/hour
avoid pass always a rip>
more garbage about railpasses always being a rip-off - I can show you some very typical Italian train itineraries where a pass will save money - you keep repeating this mantra which is simply terrible misinformation and then tends to impugn all your other mostly rather good info
Regional trains take forever - yes to go between Venice and Rome on regional trains, with umpteen changes of train, literally takes all day - vs about 3 hours on the high-speed trains.
You are doing a disservice to folks planning a rail trip. regional trains are just NOT practical for the needs of the average tourist.
avoid pass always a rip>
more garbage about railpasses always being a rip-off - I can show you some very typical Italian train itineraries where a pass will save money - you keep repeating this mantra which is simply terrible misinformation and then tends to impugn all your other mostly rather good info
Regional trains take forever - yes to go between Venice and Rome on regional trains, with umpteen changes of train, literally takes all day - vs about 3 hours on the high-speed trains.
You are doing a disservice to folks planning a rail trip. regional trains are just NOT practical for the needs of the average tourist.
Mar 15th, 2011, 10:47 AM
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Then hop regional trains like a local from 2 euro/hour
avoid pass always a rip.>
How about some concrete examples of your regional trains at 2 euros an hour that the typical tourist will want to take - that is those going between Venice-Florence-Rome-Naples-Milan
Give some schedules please - if you do you will see how impossible this ridiculous suggestion is for the average tourist.
Some examples please of something you have been repeating ad naseum now for weeks.
What may have been true 20 years ago in Italy no longer is.
avoid pass always a rip.>
How about some concrete examples of your regional trains at 2 euros an hour that the typical tourist will want to take - that is those going between Venice-Florence-Rome-Naples-Milan
Give some schedules please - if you do you will see how impossible this ridiculous suggestion is for the average tourist.
Some examples please of something you have been repeating ad naseum now for weeks.
What may have been true 20 years ago in Italy no longer is.
Mar 16th, 2011, 08:12 AM
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About regional trains, which I also love to take and often do because I enjoy train riding as much as anything and love stopping at all the sleepy stations, etc.
But take going from Venice to Florence for example - on the fastest trains it takes about 2 hours flat.
Now by regional train you first have to wait in Venice until 10:57am (unless wanting to start really early in the morning at some unGodly hour) and then you arrive in Bologna at 13:04
and have 5 minutes to hop on another regional train that leaves at 13:09 and get to Florence at 14:52
total of about 4 hours, with one change, vs 2 hrs on the fastest trains with no changing en route.
Now on the regional train there is only a 5 minute connection in Bologna so if you miss it - no unuusal that regional trains are not right on time - then you wait until 15:09 to catch the next regional train, getting into Florence about 5pm - total travel time from Venice 6 hours vs 2 all told on faster train.
What would the typical touirst want - spend a few euros and potentially take all day to get to Florence or take the faster train and get there in 2 hours flat?
a brainless choice IMO - so just take this drivel about hopping regional trains everywhere just as that.
But take going from Venice to Florence for example - on the fastest trains it takes about 2 hours flat.
Now by regional train you first have to wait in Venice until 10:57am (unless wanting to start really early in the morning at some unGodly hour) and then you arrive in Bologna at 13:04
and have 5 minutes to hop on another regional train that leaves at 13:09 and get to Florence at 14:52
total of about 4 hours, with one change, vs 2 hrs on the fastest trains with no changing en route.
Now on the regional train there is only a 5 minute connection in Bologna so if you miss it - no unuusal that regional trains are not right on time - then you wait until 15:09 to catch the next regional train, getting into Florence about 5pm - total travel time from Venice 6 hours vs 2 all told on faster train.
What would the typical touirst want - spend a few euros and potentially take all day to get to Florence or take the faster train and get there in 2 hours flat?
a brainless choice IMO - so just take this drivel about hopping regional trains everywhere just as that.
