elfitzy

We're going to France/Italy in July, and we're having trouble booking our train tickets for Nice to Genoa (actually continuing on to Riomaggiore, but we're not too worried about that leg, since it seems trains leave every hour).

I've found timetables that show trains leaving Nice for Genoa every 2 hours or so. But RailEurope.com shows only 1 train leaving at 8:42 a.m. (too early for us), and SNCF.com shows only 1 train leaving at 13:10 (too late).

What are we missing here? Any suggestions? We could simply purchase our tickets once we arrive in France, but we're worried that this will be a popular train and will sell out early.

Thanks for any advice.

nbujic

I don't think you are missing anything What the SNCF shows IS the timetable for direct trains . We took the same train a few weeks ago in the same direction.

If it is too late for you, you will have to take the early train ( not direct) and change in Ventimiglia.
They are all Italian trains, you can buy tickets in Nice, get fist class.

mcnyc

Hi Elfitzy: you can just get your tickets at Nice a day or so before you leave for Genoa at the train station. It'll be easier for you, unless you're a larger group.

scatcat

We are taking a direct train to Genova on the 28th. We have a railpass but I called Bahn.de to get seat reservations. The EC trains require reservations. I've done this route several times and the train is usually full.

mcnyc

I've purchased seat reservations for EC trains on the day of, as I got my tickets, but, of course, if it is a popular route, then by all means, get it ahead of time.

I've spent time hanging in EC trains w/o seat reservations, and believe me, it's NOT FUN!!!

TimS

For more complete timetables, go to www.bahn.de. Click on "Internat. Guests" to view the site in English. Here's what I found for an arbitrary date in July:

Leave Nice at 07:51, change in Ventimiglia, arrive in Genova at 11:06.

Leave Nice at 10:05, change in Ventimiglia, arrive in Genova at 13:06.

Leave Nice at 11:41, change in Ventimiglia, arrive in Genova at 15:06.

caroltis

We just made that train trip last month and I'm pretty certain we left Nice around 10:00 a.m. and it took us to Genoa where we changed trains. Then that train took us to Monterrosso and at that point we purchased our ticket to Vernazza. The trains seem to run between the Cinque Terre villages about every 30 minutes. Definitely purchase your ticket for Nice to Monterrosso ahead of time if at all possible would be my advice.

Steve_James

Hi Elf - IF you change trains in Ventimiglia ...

N.B. - be aware that you *MUST* re-validate your ticket in Ventimiglia station.

If you don't do this you will be subject to a fine. You have been warned ...

Steve