Trains from Florence to Venice
Mar 22nd, 2014, 04:20 PM
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Trains from Florence to Venice
We will be traveling from Florence to Venice in May by train. Are there choices in trains (rapid v local)? Should I buy tickets in advance? Are stations difficult to navigate? We are seniors and have never used the Italian train system before. Advice and suggestions welcome!
Mar 22nd, 2014, 04:23 PM
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Mar 22nd, 2014, 05:00 PM
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This is 2nd class on Trenitalia fast trains.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg
Trains are frequent and you can book online with Trenitalia (advance purchase discounts are often available). You can also buy at the station, but depending on day in May (might be a holiday), you might want to get the tickets a day or two in advance.
Pack light at there are several narrow steps up to the trains.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg
Trains are frequent and you can book online with Trenitalia (advance purchase discounts are often available). You can also buy at the station, but depending on day in May (might be a holiday), you might want to get the tickets a day or two in advance.
Pack light at there are several narrow steps up to the trains.
Mar 22nd, 2014, 10:22 PM
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Local trains are not an option on this trip. They may require several changes and the section between Florence and Bologna has no good local services.
Be prepared to walk a bit - due to the way Florence SMN and Venezia SL stations are laid out, you have to walk the whole lenght of the train, no matter where your seats are. Also pack light as you have to take care of your own luggage.
There are two companies offering fast service of the Florence to Venice itinerary, namely Trenitalia and Italo. Prices and services are fairly equivalent, Trenitalia runs more frequently and Italo trains are a bit newer. Both companies have airline style ticketing, if you book early and stick to non-changeable and/or non-refundable tickets prices are cheaper. Both sell tickets binding you to a set train at a set time; usually you can walk up and buy tickets for the next train (obviously at full price) but reserving with some advance is wise.
Be prepared to walk a bit - due to the way Florence SMN and Venezia SL stations are laid out, you have to walk the whole lenght of the train, no matter where your seats are. Also pack light as you have to take care of your own luggage.
There are two companies offering fast service of the Florence to Venice itinerary, namely Trenitalia and Italo. Prices and services are fairly equivalent, Trenitalia runs more frequently and Italo trains are a bit newer. Both companies have airline style ticketing, if you book early and stick to non-changeable and/or non-refundable tickets prices are cheaper. Both sell tickets binding you to a set train at a set time; usually you can walk up and buy tickets for the next train (obviously at full price) but reserving with some advance is wise.
Apr 3rd, 2014, 05:27 AM
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This is 2nd class on the fast train.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Frecciarossainterno.jpg>
the difference between first and second class - take this staged photo opt picture of a brand new train when it rolled into service and put people in every seat and then you will see the real first class - with baggage all around, etc.
In first class this picture would be representative of what I've experienced - about half the seats often empty - but take out one seat as first class has three seats in the same row as 2nd class has 4 - I love the so-called isolated seats - the aisle and window seat - seats with one in a row - can face each other for couples but as a single traveler I love this isolation - never having to both someone to get out to go to the loo, etc.
kybourbon to be objective why do you not show pictures of both classes and only this staged photos of a second class train the likes of which I guarantee you you will never see.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Frecciarossainterno.jpg>
the difference between first and second class - take this staged photo opt picture of a brand new train when it rolled into service and put people in every seat and then you will see the real first class - with baggage all around, etc.
In first class this picture would be representative of what I've experienced - about half the seats often empty - but take out one seat as first class has three seats in the same row as 2nd class has 4 - I love the so-called isolated seats - the aisle and window seat - seats with one in a row - can face each other for couples but as a single traveler I love this isolation - never having to both someone to get out to go to the loo, etc.
kybourbon to be objective why do you not show pictures of both classes and only this staged photos of a second class train the likes of which I guarantee you you will never see.
Apr 3rd, 2014, 09:30 AM
#8
PQ - Seems you are going around posting your spiel on multiple threads. The picture is an actual pic of 2nd class on a fast train in Italy. It's not something photo-shopped or made up. Whether it's an actual promo (your claim with no proof) or not simply doesn't matter. Your obsessive need to convince everyone to travel 1st class is odd. The OP asked about trains and I posted a photo of them. The OP can choose what class they want. Not everyone wants to ride trains all day with a first class railpass and then stay in hostels like you do. Some people prefer to save a few bucks on the trains and stay nicer places especially when you are talking about a 2 hour ride.
Additional pics of 2nd class fast trains in Italy:
http://www.railgallery.info/photo_sh...+copy.jpg.html
http://mightymac.org/europe12/12europe32.htm
I'm not obliged to show pics of every class (there are more than 1st and 2nd on many of the fast trains). If you want to post pics of every class, post away. The fact still remains that 2nd class on fast trains in Italy is more roomy/comfy than coach on airplanes.
FYI - There is another rail company besides Trenitalia and it's Italo. This is 2nd class (Smart class) on Italo.
http://www.ferrovie.it/fol.tim/img/FP1178140.jpg
http://www.ferrovie.it/fol.tim/img/FP1178109.jpg
Additional pics of 2nd class fast trains in Italy:
http://www.railgallery.info/photo_sh...+copy.jpg.html
http://mightymac.org/europe12/12europe32.htm
I'm not obliged to show pics of every class (there are more than 1st and 2nd on many of the fast trains). If you want to post pics of every class, post away. The fact still remains that 2nd class on fast trains in Italy is more roomy/comfy than coach on airplanes.
FYI - There is another rail company besides Trenitalia and it's Italo. This is 2nd class (Smart class) on Italo.
http://www.ferrovie.it/fol.tim/img/FP1178140.jpg
http://www.ferrovie.it/fol.tim/img/FP1178109.jpg
Apr 3rd, 2014, 10:17 AM
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Your obsessive need to convince everyone to travel 1st class is odd>
just as you have an obsession with pushing second class as the only way to go - look at yourself when accusing me of things you always do yourself.
I believe in presenting both sides - 1st and 2nd class and explain the differences and let the individual make the decision rather than presenting a biased one-sided view with fake pictures that you never will see on a real 2nd class train.
There is a reason Italians pay extra for first class and why each train has first class cars - you can deny that there is any difference but I think you should present a more objective view. Show pictures of both classes and let the person decide instead of your constantly biased view that there is no difference between classes. Misinformation IMO.
just as you have an obsession with pushing second class as the only way to go - look at yourself when accusing me of things you always do yourself.
I believe in presenting both sides - 1st and 2nd class and explain the differences and let the individual make the decision rather than presenting a biased one-sided view with fake pictures that you never will see on a real 2nd class train.
There is a reason Italians pay extra for first class and why each train has first class cars - you can deny that there is any difference but I think you should present a more objective view. Show pictures of both classes and let the person decide instead of your constantly biased view that there is no difference between classes. Misinformation IMO.
Apr 3rd, 2014, 11:39 AM
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PQ - Seems you are going around posting your spiel on multiple threads>
I will present a balanced view whenever you only present 2nd class as the way to go and never ever mention first class and the difference between it and 2nd class. You give a one-sided view for some reason - why don't you show pictures of both classes and describe the differences and then let the individual decide what is best for them?
Again I do not say anyone has to go first class but I insist that there is more than the negligible difference that you constantly claim. Cheapest is not always best, especially for folks on the trip of a lifetime carrying perhaps too much luggage - first class is just more relaxed - not that 2nd class is terrible - it's not.
I always describe the difference between the classes and then let the individual decide - you give only one side and that is simply not objective.
And those photos - are you claiming that an average fist-class car on Italian fast trains will be exactly like that - if it were no one would pay extra to go first class - heck in your photo there is only one person in each row with empty seats next to them - and there appears to be only five people in the whole train car - you are saying this is typical of what folks can expect on 2nd class on Italian fast trains.
Well I can assure you after hours of train spotting in Florence and Rome stations - sitting and watching zillions of trains go by that it would be rare to see any 2nd class car like that staged one you constantly trot out - most are fairly full if not full - put people in every seat with bags in that hokey photo and you'll get a more objective view.
Give both sides and let the individual and price decide.
I will present a balanced view whenever you only present 2nd class as the way to go and never ever mention first class and the difference between it and 2nd class. You give a one-sided view for some reason - why don't you show pictures of both classes and describe the differences and then let the individual decide what is best for them?
Again I do not say anyone has to go first class but I insist that there is more than the negligible difference that you constantly claim. Cheapest is not always best, especially for folks on the trip of a lifetime carrying perhaps too much luggage - first class is just more relaxed - not that 2nd class is terrible - it's not.
I always describe the difference between the classes and then let the individual decide - you give only one side and that is simply not objective.
And those photos - are you claiming that an average fist-class car on Italian fast trains will be exactly like that - if it were no one would pay extra to go first class - heck in your photo there is only one person in each row with empty seats next to them - and there appears to be only five people in the whole train car - you are saying this is typical of what folks can expect on 2nd class on Italian fast trains.
Well I can assure you after hours of train spotting in Florence and Rome stations - sitting and watching zillions of trains go by that it would be rare to see any 2nd class car like that staged one you constantly trot out - most are fairly full if not full - put people in every seat with bags in that hokey photo and you'll get a more objective view.
Give both sides and let the individual and price decide.
Apr 4th, 2014, 04:46 AM
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and then stay in hostels like you do.>
I have never in say 40 years stayed in an Italian hostel and 30 years in any other - where do you get this stuff? I do stay in inexpensive hotels and B&Bs as possible and travel in winter when I can get a B&B single for 40 euros - would cost 80-100 euros in high season.
I have never in say 40 years stayed in an Italian hostel and 30 years in any other - where do you get this stuff? I do stay in inexpensive hotels and B&Bs as possible and travel in winter when I can get a B&B single for 40 euros - would cost 80-100 euros in high season.
