Ugh! I'm so confused but finding my way - sort of!
I will be traveling from Florence to Monterosso in September 2005. (I know it is too early to book but I am trying to plan my itinerary, etc.)
I've selected my departure and destination on the Trenetalia website. I used Monterosso instead of La Spezia Centrale as my destination - not sure if that matters. A listing of departure/arrival times popped up and next to train time that I want to travel it lists R, IC and IR under "Trains." Does this mean that I have to travel on three different trains? Or, that all three types of trains travel to my destination?
I really want to make a reservation before I leave the U.S. so I am concerned about the R (Regional) because I don't think you can reserve seats. Any help would be so appreciated.
Trains in Italy
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Yes. It does mean that you will need to travel on 3 trains. Depending on the time of day and your transfer point, sometimes you need to change trains only once. Please do not worry about making reservations on the regional trains. I've taken them from Florence to Monterosso. They are really like commuter trains and do not require reservations. You can easily purchase your ticket the day of your travel.
I agree with Athena. You can probably purchase the tickets the same day of travel. The line at the ticket window sometimes can be intimidating, but generally moves pretty well. You may want to budget some extra tims, just in case.
Enjoy your trip.
You CAN'T purchase a specific seat reservation from La Spezia Centrale to Monterosso anyway - it is a small little regional train (20-25 minute ride approximately).
We went from Monterosso to Florence last June and we bought our tickets after arriving in Italy, the day before we took the train to Florence I believe. This is the schedule we took:
Monday 6/21/04 depart Monterosso at 8:45am on Regional train 11253, arrive La Spezia 9:10am. Then depart at 9:28 on IC train 527/528/529, arrive 11:21am in Florence. (1st class: 17.51€, 2nd class: 12.50€)
As you can see, the trip was cheap and it took less than 3 hours.
P.S. I know that my posted schedule was the opposite of yours, but the pricing and duration of the trip should be similar
topping
Thanks for the information. I was under the impression that regional trains were for short commutes so I was surprised to see it listed as a means of transportation for a 3 hour journey. I had visions of my husband and I on a crowded, standing-room only train for three hours!