Train vs Plane
Jan 19th, 2012, 02:55 AM
#1
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Train vs Plane
We will be traveling from Venice to Sorrento (via Naples)
Alitalia hasa flight for about $124.00 vs the train ticket of about $220.
I'm wondering if there is any advantage of the train vs the plane.
The flight is only about an hour compared to the total train ride of about 6 hours.
If we do go with the train, I notice there are two train stations mentioned in Venice.
Does anyone know which one is more convenient? We are staying at the Hotel La Forcola.
Thank you for your help!
Alitalia hasa flight for about $124.00 vs the train ticket of about $220.
I'm wondering if there is any advantage of the train vs the plane.
The flight is only about an hour compared to the total train ride of about 6 hours.
If we do go with the train, I notice there are two train stations mentioned in Venice.
Does anyone know which one is more convenient? We are staying at the Hotel La Forcola.
Thank you for your help!
Jan 19th, 2012, 03:10 AM
#2
The Venice station in Maestre is somewhat outside of the city; Santa Lucia is closer but am not sure of your hotel's location.
Re train vs plane
the train will be city center to city center with no luggage weight restrictions but I suggest you look on www.whichbudget.com or on skyscanner.net to see if there are budget flights between your two cities.
Re train vs plane
the train will be city center to city center with no luggage weight restrictions but I suggest you look on www.whichbudget.com or on skyscanner.net to see if there are budget flights between your two cities.
Jan 19th, 2012, 03:26 AM
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If you are staying in Venice proper, near the canals, then you'd use Sta. Lucia. Mestre is just across the causeway on the mainland.
All trains from Sta Lucia pass through Venice Mestre. It's a mere 10min ride between the 2 stations. Some trains don't originate at Sta. Lucia and only stop at Mestre. For those you'd just hop on one of the regular (every 10min or so) shuttle trains.
The air prices you mention are to Naples airport - you need to factor in getting to Sorrento. There is a rail line (www.vesuviana.it) that runs right from Naples train station to Sorrento. There are several Amalfi experts here on fodors who can give you precise instructions and compare train to plane options.
You also need to include extra time to get to the airport, wait for your flight, and wait for baggage claim. This may be a case where it's a wash. By train you'd need to change at Rome.
Where are you seeing the price for train ticket. On www.trenitalia.com (the Italian RR site), I'm seeing the base RR fare of 121 euros, and discounted "mini" fares around 109 euros. Venice to Naples
All trains from Sta Lucia pass through Venice Mestre. It's a mere 10min ride between the 2 stations. Some trains don't originate at Sta. Lucia and only stop at Mestre. For those you'd just hop on one of the regular (every 10min or so) shuttle trains.
The air prices you mention are to Naples airport - you need to factor in getting to Sorrento. There is a rail line (www.vesuviana.it) that runs right from Naples train station to Sorrento. There are several Amalfi experts here on fodors who can give you precise instructions and compare train to plane options.
You also need to include extra time to get to the airport, wait for your flight, and wait for baggage claim. This may be a case where it's a wash. By train you'd need to change at Rome.
Where are you seeing the price for train ticket. On www.trenitalia.com (the Italian RR site), I'm seeing the base RR fare of 121 euros, and discounted "mini" fares around 109 euros. Venice to Naples
Jan 19th, 2012, 03:55 AM
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I'm sort of a fan of train travel, so take that into account.
Anyway, when you consider what's involved in a plane ride of "only an hour," you start to see that it's more than that.
How long to get to the airport (which is usually some distance from the city itself)? In Venice, that's a bit of a trip if you're staying in the city. Or you could shorten the trip at a cost of about 90 euros for a water taxi.
How much earlier do you have to get to the airport? Most people figure on 90 minutes, but often do 2 hours just to be safe. So now you're into roughly and hour to get the airport and another 2 hours of waiting, check-in time. And what's more fun than waiting in a long security line at the airport? Anything up to an including the flu.
How much time to get from the arriving airport to the city? If it's someplace like Florence, that may not be too bad, but most places you can figure on at least an hour, by the time you catch public transport or a taxi. Don't forget waiting time to get your bags.
So how much time have you saved by flying? Not so much, since the train station is right in most cities, is easy to get to, and has little waiting time (assuming everything's one time, but that's true for planes, too).
Then consider the comfort differences. No comparison, IMHO. You can get up and walk around the train, view the scenery, grab a bite to eat, etc. Or you can do the modern version of the cattle car, also known as flying.
Anyway, when you consider what's involved in a plane ride of "only an hour," you start to see that it's more than that.
How long to get to the airport (which is usually some distance from the city itself)? In Venice, that's a bit of a trip if you're staying in the city. Or you could shorten the trip at a cost of about 90 euros for a water taxi.
How much earlier do you have to get to the airport? Most people figure on 90 minutes, but often do 2 hours just to be safe. So now you're into roughly and hour to get the airport and another 2 hours of waiting, check-in time. And what's more fun than waiting in a long security line at the airport? Anything up to an including the flu.
How much time to get from the arriving airport to the city? If it's someplace like Florence, that may not be too bad, but most places you can figure on at least an hour, by the time you catch public transport or a taxi. Don't forget waiting time to get your bags.
So how much time have you saved by flying? Not so much, since the train station is right in most cities, is easy to get to, and has little waiting time (assuming everything's one time, but that's true for planes, too).
Then consider the comfort differences. No comparison, IMHO. You can get up and walk around the train, view the scenery, grab a bite to eat, etc. Or you can do the modern version of the cattle car, also known as flying.
Jan 19th, 2012, 08:26 AM
#5
Agreeing you can't compare 1 hour flight to 6 hours on the train. Because the 6 hours really is the total trip by train. For plane you need to add in getting from your hotel to the airport, early check-in time required, wait for flight, flight, then getting back into the city from the other airport. Point being I'm guessing it will take you the 6 hours travel time either way. To me trains in Europe are really fun and part of the experience. Flights are just flights like anywhere.
Jan 19th, 2012, 09:21 AM
#6
>>>Alitalia hasa flight for about $124.00 vs the train ticket of about $220.<<<
Are those prices for one person or two? Is the Alitalia flight from Venice Marco Polo airport?
The train requires a change at either Rome or Bologna. You would also have to get transportation from Naples train station to Sorrento (either train, taxi, etc.). It takes about 75 minutes from Naples to Sorrento.
If you fly, there is a shuttle bus from Naples airport to Sorrento if the times work for you (10€). No Sunday service. Departures at 9, 11, 1, 2:30, 4:30, 7:30.
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html
Are those prices for one person or two? Is the Alitalia flight from Venice Marco Polo airport?
The train requires a change at either Rome or Bologna. You would also have to get transportation from Naples train station to Sorrento (either train, taxi, etc.). It takes about 75 minutes from Naples to Sorrento.
If you fly, there is a shuttle bus from Naples airport to Sorrento if the times work for you (10€). No Sunday service. Departures at 9, 11, 1, 2:30, 4:30, 7:30.
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html
Jan 21st, 2012, 08:25 AM
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Hi B,
>Alitalia hasa flight for about $124.00 vs the train ticket of about $220.
I'm wondering if there is any advantage of the train vs the plane.<
Certainly not $100 pp worth.
The train takes you into Venice proper.
The plain takes you to the airport outside town, from which you can take the shuttle into town. http://www.alilaguna.it/
Enjoy your visit.
>Alitalia hasa flight for about $124.00 vs the train ticket of about $220.
I'm wondering if there is any advantage of the train vs the plane.<
Certainly not $100 pp worth.
The train takes you into Venice proper.
The plain takes you to the airport outside town, from which you can take the shuttle into town. http://www.alilaguna.it/
Enjoy your visit.
Jan 21st, 2012, 08:26 AM
#9
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You don't say when you are travelling but within the next couple of months there will be a new train operator in Italy - http://apps.facebook.com/onthefarm/index.php. Venice Santa Lucia to Rome Tiburtina will be 3.43 with onward connections to Naples and Salerno.
Jan 21st, 2012, 08:35 AM
#11
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You can score discounted train tickets if you book early at www.trenitalia.com - they are train-specific and hard to change so be sure of your time. If only a cheap fare exists from Venice-Mestre take it as there are frequent shuttle trains between Venice S Lucia and Mestre, a few miles away across the lagoon - some trains to Rome and south only serve Mestre. RailEurope prices are for full fare fully flexible (can be changed by buying just a new seat reservation) tickets which can cost much more than online discounts - so the train could well be cheaper than flying - flying you have to add in the cost of getting to and from airports. Lots of great Italian rail info - www.seat61.com and www.ricksteeves.com.
Jan 21st, 2012, 08:37 AM
#12
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I don't know where the previous link came from but here is the correct one
http://www.ntvspa.it/en/nuovo-traspo...equency-travel
http://www.ntvspa.it/en/nuovo-traspo...equency-travel
Jan 21st, 2012, 08:43 AM
#13
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Bettina, hi!
If it helps, think of the two stations in Venice as being more or less at opposite ends of this bridge...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/imag...16701/original
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/136016701
Your hotel is near Santa Lucia, whilst Mestre is at the far end - over on the mainland!
And you can probably see where the airport is?
Peter
If it helps, think of the two stations in Venice as being more or less at opposite ends of this bridge...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/imag...16701/original
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/136016701
Your hotel is near Santa Lucia, whilst Mestre is at the far end - over on the mainland!
And you can probably see where the airport is?
Peter
Jan 21st, 2012, 08:56 AM
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On the offchance that you might decide to fly after all - or if concerned about how to get from Naples airport to Sorrento - do note that those Curreri buses actually run every day of the week, and not just from Monday to Saturday!
And whilst they offer only 6 return trips in the off-season, that increases to 8 daily during busier times - as described here:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Campania.html
So do check nearer the time - their site is indeed:
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html
Peter
And whilst they offer only 6 return trips in the off-season, that increases to 8 daily during busier times - as described here:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Campania.html
So do check nearer the time - their site is indeed:
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html
Peter
Jan 21st, 2012, 09:14 AM
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Venice to Naples by air or by train: the classic dilemma:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic..._Campania.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic..._Campania.html
Jan 21st, 2012, 11:28 AM
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Bettina - you have plenty of time. Flights are attractive in terms of price (of the flight itself) but you have the problem of getting to the airport and then to your destination, security, problems with luggage (especially if you are overweight which is especially expensive with the low cost carriers), uncertainty of departure time etc etc. When possible I always choose the train in Italy. The Eurostar routes (and the new NTV routes) are generally on time and very cheap by European standards especially if you can get the Mini fares on Eurostar which are also available on first class. You know when you depart and generally when you arrive, have no problems with luggage, have free wifi etc.
Sorrento and the AC will be magnificent in April!
Sorrento and the AC will be magnificent in April!
Jan 23rd, 2012, 04:12 AM
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Did this last April seat61.com/italy fast train was 78 euro Venice to Rome and 40 euro ti Naples 3 hours and 1 hour then Cicumvesvuviana to Sorrento was 4 euros. 20 minutes was fine for my conections.Freccia Argento andvRosa trains were great,way better than plane so Go for it!
