Can ANYONE please help explain train tickets!
 

I need train tickets (1st class, reserved) from Rome to Naples and then on to Sorrento. I also need tickets from Naples to Venice.

What is the best way to do this? I checked out www.raileurope.com, but was a bit confused. If you enter Rome to Naples...you get 2 options:

Roma Termini to Napoli Campi Fleg direct; Eurostar Italia(ES*)

AND

Rome Termini to Napoli Centrale direct; Eurostar Italia(ES*) and InterCity Train service

What is the difference? Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Buy your tickets once you arrive. ES is the fastest train, IC makes a few more stops. Please try a search for Naples train tickets. There are MANY recent posts on this subject.

You can get your tickets in advance on the internet, but you really don't need to. Since you'll be in Rome for a few days before you leave for Napoli, just stop by any travel agent to have them make your reservations for both of the trips; Rome to Naples and Naples to Venice. Or if you prefer, you can get them from the Rome train station, but the lines can be long there. The Naples to Sorrento you don't need reservations or tickets in advance. You'll just buy them from the window of the Circumvisuviana, which is down the stairs from the Naples station. Very simple and straight forward.

If you can, take the ES. Less stops and more comfortable train.

So is there anything wrong with buying the ES tickets in advance from the Internet? Can you still get seat reservations just a day or two prior to leaving?

Also...do the travel agents in Italy add extra fees?

I think the internet adds fees. Travel agents do not. In my experience you won't have any trouble getting a seat reservation. I usually get them the same day and have never had a problem.

No need at all to buy tickets ahead from the USA. You will pay 20-30% more that way. I buy my ticket for the ES train at Rome Termini (main station in Rome) to Naples Centrale on day of travel with no problems. If you are the nervous type buy them a day or two ahead at Rome Termini. If the ticket lines are long buy them at the travel agency in the middle of the station between the information kiosk and the train platforms. Lines are never long there as most tourists don't know tickets can be bought there.

Hope you enjoy Sorrento and the Amalfi coast as much as I have. Be sure to visit the village of Ravello.

Larry J

by350: hterea re no great reservations or poor reservations, a reservation on an Eurostar train is a reservation on a Eurostar train. The only difference there is is between first and second class (ES first class is not worth the money, IMHO) and between getting int i Intaly (cheaper anytime you get it) or from abroad (30% more costly). Railway is not like an airline, ticket prices are not buject to price differences according to ho long in advance you buy them, especially in italy, where train travelling is a daily thing for most people.

Also, when we were in Italy a couple of weeks ago, we found that the train times that we downloaded from Trenitalia - the website for the train service - wasn't entirely accurate. You're better off waiting until you get to Italy and buying your ticket there - do it a day or so in advance of your travel if you're anxious about it. Use the vending machines in Termini (main Rome train station) - their instructions are in English and very clear - rather than joining the huge queue at the ticket office. There are a couple of information desks around the place if you're unsure of your platform number etc. Don't forget to stamp your ticket before you board the train!

Look up the schedule on Trenitalia.com. Print out your desired time/schedule to bring with you to Italy. There is absolutely no need to buy them until you get there.

You can buy train tickets at any travel agent in Italy and they are everywhere.

Bring the schedule with you to the travel agent and buy the tickets one or two days ahead of time. There is also no fee. It is much easier this way.

Hi by

To answer your first question, you want the ES* train from Rome TE to Naples Central. From there you get the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento.

PS
The Circumvesuviana schedule is at http://www.vesuviana.it/orario_ol/orari.asp

ter2000
TYhe timetable you downloaded were acurate, the problem is that the trains moved from winter timetables to summer timetables, this explains the incongruencies.

JUST RETURNED FROM ITALY. TOTALLY AGREE WITH WITH JENNIFER. USE THE TRENITALIA WEBSITE FOR INFO AND BOOK WITH THE TRAVEL AGENTS IN ROME. WE DID THAT WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE TRAIN STATIONS HAVE LINES AND IT WILL BE HIT OR MISS AS FAR AS THEM SPEKING ENGLISH WHEREAS THE TRAVEL AGENTS WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO SPEAKS ENGLISH. HOPE YOU HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS WE DID!!

glassman, please, stop screaming!!!