Day trips FROM Siena by public transportation - need ideas
Nov 14th, 2014, 09:26 AM
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Day trips FROM Siena by public transportation - need ideas
I will be in Siena for a few days in mid March. How many days is flexible, I was thinking 3-4 so I would like to take a couple of day trips but won't have a car (and don't want to hire a driver). I will be solo this trip and I'm good with buses/trains and happy to go about an hour and a half max each way.
Pretty sure one day will be for Montalcino. Any other ideas? Any places I might combine with Montalcino - or ideas for a separate day.
I'd like to see somewhere I have not already been and that includes: Lucca, Pisa, Florence, Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza, San Qurico, and San Giminango.
Thanks
Pretty sure one day will be for Montalcino. Any other ideas? Any places I might combine with Montalcino - or ideas for a separate day.
I'd like to see somewhere I have not already been and that includes: Lucca, Pisa, Florence, Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza, San Qurico, and San Giminango.
Thanks
Nov 14th, 2014, 10:30 AM
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Certainly Florence. There's an express bus between the two cities. If you're going to make that a day trip, be sure to plan your day carefully to take in the sites that interest you, since Florence has a lot of possibilities.
Nov 14th, 2014, 11:45 AM
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Arezzo is worth a day trip if you're looking not to travel too far! I totally recommend taking the bus in this case over train since there is no direct train service between the two locations and you'd likely have to go through Firenze's SMN.
It sounds like you've seen a great deal of Tuscany so Arezzo seems appropriate. If you like wine perhaps the Chianti region could be fruitful especially the Classico region. However, I see you mentioned Montalcino so this may overlap.
Good luck and buon viaggio
It sounds like you've seen a great deal of Tuscany so Arezzo seems appropriate. If you like wine perhaps the Chianti region could be fruitful especially the Classico region. However, I see you mentioned Montalcino so this may overlap.
Good luck and buon viaggio
Nov 14th, 2014, 12:10 PM
#6
Here's the bus map for the area. I'm not aware of any easy bus to Volterra though so perhaps PQ can list that info. There is usually little to no Sunday bus service for small towns.
http://www.sienamobilita.it/images/m...xtraurbano.jpg
You can take the train to Buonconvento.
Between Siena and Chiusi on the train line, the stops are:
Siena
Arbia
Castelnuovo Berardenga
Asciano-Monte Oliveto Maggiore
Asciano
Rapolano Terme
Sinalunga
Torrita di Siena
Montepulciano
Chiusi-Chianciano Terme
You might research some of those and see if they interest you. The Montepulicano stop is not Montepulicano the hill town, it's a stop 6 miles or so away.
You could also head in other directions by train (towards the coast). Some of those towns:
Siena
Monteroni D'Arbia
Buonconvento
Murlo
Monte Antico
Civitella-Paganico
Sticciano
Montepescali
Also look at the Rama Mobilita buses for that area.
Between Siena and Empoli by train:
Siena
Badesse
Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni
Poggibonsi
Barberino di Val D'Elsa
Certaldo
Castelfiorentino
Granaiolo
Ponte a Elsa
Empoli
http://www.sienamobilita.it/images/m...xtraurbano.jpg
You can take the train to Buonconvento.
Between Siena and Chiusi on the train line, the stops are:
Siena
Arbia
Castelnuovo Berardenga
Asciano-Monte Oliveto Maggiore
Asciano
Rapolano Terme
Sinalunga
Torrita di Siena
Montepulciano
Chiusi-Chianciano Terme
You might research some of those and see if they interest you. The Montepulicano stop is not Montepulicano the hill town, it's a stop 6 miles or so away.
You could also head in other directions by train (towards the coast). Some of those towns:
Siena
Monteroni D'Arbia
Buonconvento
Murlo
Monte Antico
Civitella-Paganico
Sticciano
Montepescali
Also look at the Rama Mobilita buses for that area.
Between Siena and Empoli by train:
Siena
Badesse
Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni
Poggibonsi
Barberino di Val D'Elsa
Certaldo
Castelfiorentino
Granaiolo
Ponte a Elsa
Empoli
Nov 14th, 2014, 12:19 PM
#7
On the right, click where it says mappa rete extraurbano di Grosseto which will show the bus lines from Siena west/southwest.
http://www.tiemmespa.it/index.php/Vi...to/Extraurbano
Check schedules for return times so you don't get stuck somewhere. Be sure to buy your return tickets in Siena also as you might have trouble finding somewhere to purchase in these small towns.
http://www.tiemmespa.it/index.php/Vi...to/Extraurbano
Check schedules for return times so you don't get stuck somewhere. Be sure to buy your return tickets in Siena also as you might have trouble finding somewhere to purchase in these small towns.
Nov 14th, 2014, 12:46 PM
#8
>>>Arezzo
I totally recommend taking the bus in this case over train since there is no direct train service between the two locations and you'd likely have to go through Firenze's SMN.<<<
There's a small train line (TFT)that operates around Arezzo and few other towns. You can connect from Siena in Sinalunga. Scroll to page 27 for a map of stops.
http://www.reteferroviariatoscana.it...20completa.pdf
I totally recommend taking the bus in this case over train since there is no direct train service between the two locations and you'd likely have to go through Firenze's SMN.<<<
There's a small train line (TFT)that operates around Arezzo and few other towns. You can connect from Siena in Sinalunga. Scroll to page 27 for a map of stops.
http://www.reteferroviariatoscana.it...20completa.pdf
Nov 15th, 2014, 03:29 AM
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The Sena buses will allow you to make several day trips. As kybourbon says, there is little service on Sundays. The bus schedules are designed mostly for the convenience of high school students, who often attend specialized schools in the larger towns. For this reason, there are more buses into cities (like Siena) in the mornings, and back to small towns (such as Montalcino) in the afternoon. However if you plan carefully, you should be able to plan several interesting days out.
There are direct morning buses from Siena to Montalcino. In the afternoon, you usually have to change in Buonconvento to return to Siena, which would give you an opportunity for a visit there.
The Sena buses also have fairly good connections with Pienza and Montepulciano, which are near each other on the same bus line. If you take an early bus, you could visit Pienza and then possibly take a later bus to Montepulciano. On the way back to Siena, you'd have to change buses somewhere, such as Sinalunga. The schedules don't give you much choice on the amount of time to spend in each town, so it might be better to choose one or the other. Some of the buses to Pienza also stop in Buonconvento, but I don't know if you could combine Pienza and Montalcino.
I would prefer to visit Montepulciano and Pienza by bus, because the buses go right into the center of town, unlike the trains. I think buses are your only option for Montalcino. I don't know where the Buonconvento train station is, nor whether bus or train is better for that town.
Here is the site for finding bus schedules from Siena:
http://www.busfox.com/timetable/
It's in Italian, but with enough things translated that I think it is usable. Just remember that the date is entered day/month/year. The schedules will change before the summer. These are the winter (school year) schedules.
There are direct morning buses from Siena to Montalcino. In the afternoon, you usually have to change in Buonconvento to return to Siena, which would give you an opportunity for a visit there.
The Sena buses also have fairly good connections with Pienza and Montepulciano, which are near each other on the same bus line. If you take an early bus, you could visit Pienza and then possibly take a later bus to Montepulciano. On the way back to Siena, you'd have to change buses somewhere, such as Sinalunga. The schedules don't give you much choice on the amount of time to spend in each town, so it might be better to choose one or the other. Some of the buses to Pienza also stop in Buonconvento, but I don't know if you could combine Pienza and Montalcino.
I would prefer to visit Montepulciano and Pienza by bus, because the buses go right into the center of town, unlike the trains. I think buses are your only option for Montalcino. I don't know where the Buonconvento train station is, nor whether bus or train is better for that town.
Here is the site for finding bus schedules from Siena:
http://www.busfox.com/timetable/
It's in Italian, but with enough things translated that I think it is usable. Just remember that the date is entered day/month/year. The schedules will change before the summer. These are the winter (school year) schedules.
Nov 15th, 2014, 04:46 AM
#10
>>>The Sena buses will allow you to make several day trips. As kybourbon says<<<
>>>The Sena buses also have fairly good connections with Pienza and Montepulciano,<<<<
These are not Sena buses, they are SITA. Sena has the bus Siena/Rome, not local buses around Siena.
>>>There are direct morning buses from Siena to Montalcino. In the afternoon, you usually have to change in Buonconvento to return to Siena, which would give you an opportunity for a visit there.<<<<
I've found busfox to return unnecessary changes at times. It's better to look at the actual schedules for each bus number which lists all the stops. I've never had to change buses coming from Montalcino to Siena although busfox makes it seem you have to make changes. There is only one time in the afternoon (during the time when many buses don't run) that you might want to connect in Buonconvento from Montalcino (change from 114 to 112). There's a late one also, but you would have an hour to kill in Buonconvento and in that case, you could have just taken the hour later bus from Montalcino or you could see if there's a train the rest of the way from Buonconvento (they are not very frequent). Otherwise,for most runs, bus 114 goes from Montalcino all the way to Siena. The 114 runs that only go to Buonconvento from Montalcino are mostly for commuters catching the train at Buonconvento or connecting to other bus lines.
>>>I would prefer to visit Montepulciano and Pienza by bus, because the buses go right into the center of town, unlike the trains.<<<
There are no trains for Pienza and Montepulciano. The bus does not go to the center of Montepulciano either. It goes to the bus station. You would connect to a local Montepulciano bus there (there are little electric buses that go up to center).
It's best to use the bus map I listed above, find the bus you want, then look up the number of the actual schedules. Siena Mobilita used to be the official site (as did Rama Mobilita for that area), but now all is on Tiemmespa. To find the schedules, you can either click the bus # you want here (expand the list at the bottom to see the rest of the buses) or download the entire schedule for all buses (on the right - orario invernale).
http://www.tiemmespa.it/index.php/Vi...na/Extraurbano
Many of these buses depart from the train station in Siena (listed as Siena FS), not Piazza Gramsci (although a few do such as Siena/Florence). Some return to the train station others to Piazza Sale, via Tozzi or Piazza Gramsci (Piazza Gramsci is on via Tozzi). I find busfox lists different return ends than the actual schedules (sometimes other gates to the Siena). Piazza Sale is also at the edge of the historic center (just a block or two from there to Piazza Gramsci). There are several local Siena buses that run between Piazza Gramsci and the Siena train station. For return buses to Piazza Gramsci, you have to catch them across from the station in the underground parking structure at the mall (there's a ticket machine down there).
>>>The Sena buses also have fairly good connections with Pienza and Montepulciano,<<<<
These are not Sena buses, they are SITA. Sena has the bus Siena/Rome, not local buses around Siena.
>>>There are direct morning buses from Siena to Montalcino. In the afternoon, you usually have to change in Buonconvento to return to Siena, which would give you an opportunity for a visit there.<<<<
I've found busfox to return unnecessary changes at times. It's better to look at the actual schedules for each bus number which lists all the stops. I've never had to change buses coming from Montalcino to Siena although busfox makes it seem you have to make changes. There is only one time in the afternoon (during the time when many buses don't run) that you might want to connect in Buonconvento from Montalcino (change from 114 to 112). There's a late one also, but you would have an hour to kill in Buonconvento and in that case, you could have just taken the hour later bus from Montalcino or you could see if there's a train the rest of the way from Buonconvento (they are not very frequent). Otherwise,for most runs, bus 114 goes from Montalcino all the way to Siena. The 114 runs that only go to Buonconvento from Montalcino are mostly for commuters catching the train at Buonconvento or connecting to other bus lines.
>>>I would prefer to visit Montepulciano and Pienza by bus, because the buses go right into the center of town, unlike the trains.<<<
There are no trains for Pienza and Montepulciano. The bus does not go to the center of Montepulciano either. It goes to the bus station. You would connect to a local Montepulciano bus there (there are little electric buses that go up to center).
It's best to use the bus map I listed above, find the bus you want, then look up the number of the actual schedules. Siena Mobilita used to be the official site (as did Rama Mobilita for that area), but now all is on Tiemmespa. To find the schedules, you can either click the bus # you want here (expand the list at the bottom to see the rest of the buses) or download the entire schedule for all buses (on the right - orario invernale).
http://www.tiemmespa.it/index.php/Vi...na/Extraurbano
Many of these buses depart from the train station in Siena (listed as Siena FS), not Piazza Gramsci (although a few do such as Siena/Florence). Some return to the train station others to Piazza Sale, via Tozzi or Piazza Gramsci (Piazza Gramsci is on via Tozzi). I find busfox lists different return ends than the actual schedules (sometimes other gates to the Siena). Piazza Sale is also at the edge of the historic center (just a block or two from there to Piazza Gramsci). There are several local Siena buses that run between Piazza Gramsci and the Siena train station. For return buses to Piazza Gramsci, you have to catch them across from the station in the underground parking structure at the mall (there's a ticket machine down there).
Nov 15th, 2014, 07:22 AM
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Thanks so much for all the replies and links.
At this point I am trying to decide on how many nights in Siena and to do that I needed to see how many day trips were logical. It looks like it will be possible to do a couple based on your information - maybe Montalcino and Arezza - they are both places I have not been and look interesting as well as doable by bus.
Does two full days in Siena itself sound good? I've been there once before on a day trip from Florence - though I did spend a good 6 or 7 hours there.
Although this will be my 10th trip to Italy, it will be first time in March and I'm interested in seeing what various places feel like in the off season. Therefore I'm visiting places I've been before, to take it slower than I usually do on my trips, experience what it's like in March, and see a few new places via day trips. Total trip is 16 nights and other than the tickets (in/out of Rome) I am flexible. I was thinking of Orvieto and Sorrento as other bases.
So how many nights do you suggest for Siena?
At this point I am trying to decide on how many nights in Siena and to do that I needed to see how many day trips were logical. It looks like it will be possible to do a couple based on your information - maybe Montalcino and Arezza - they are both places I have not been and look interesting as well as doable by bus.
Does two full days in Siena itself sound good? I've been there once before on a day trip from Florence - though I did spend a good 6 or 7 hours there.
Although this will be my 10th trip to Italy, it will be first time in March and I'm interested in seeing what various places feel like in the off season. Therefore I'm visiting places I've been before, to take it slower than I usually do on my trips, experience what it's like in March, and see a few new places via day trips. Total trip is 16 nights and other than the tickets (in/out of Rome) I am flexible. I was thinking of Orvieto and Sorrento as other bases.
So how many nights do you suggest for Siena?
Nov 15th, 2014, 08:32 AM
#12
Do you plan to see anything in Siena too? 3 nights = 2 sightseeing days.
I've stayed in Siena and Orvieto multiple times (with and without cars)although not in March (have been to Sorrento late March and had good weather - jacket needed at night). You might find Orvieto a bit more challenging for day trips, but again, depends on what might interest you and how much transport time you willing to spend.
From Orvieto, you are only a few minutes by train to Chiusi. If you haven't been, you might stop there. You can reach Perugia in 1 1/2 hours by train (change in Terontola). You can see the train lines here.
http://www.umbriamobilita.it/it/orar...io-ferroviario
The train line in blue is Ferrovia Centrale Umbra.
There's also Civita di Bagnoregio by bus if you want to see it. Don't know that you can count on anything being open there at that time (not much open in summer).
I've stayed in Siena and Orvieto multiple times (with and without cars)although not in March (have been to Sorrento late March and had good weather - jacket needed at night). You might find Orvieto a bit more challenging for day trips, but again, depends on what might interest you and how much transport time you willing to spend.
From Orvieto, you are only a few minutes by train to Chiusi. If you haven't been, you might stop there. You can reach Perugia in 1 1/2 hours by train (change in Terontola). You can see the train lines here.
http://www.umbriamobilita.it/it/orar...io-ferroviario
The train line in blue is Ferrovia Centrale Umbra.
There's also Civita di Bagnoregio by bus if you want to see it. Don't know that you can count on anything being open there at that time (not much open in summer).
Nov 15th, 2014, 09:06 AM
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Yes, I want a couple days IN Siena - so am thinking 4 or 5 nights - arrival day mostly a waste, won't even get there till late afternoon (BTW thanks for the bus info from Rome to Siena, I think you posted that on another thread). So that would be 4 full days - maybe two day trips,plus two days in Siena. Of course I don't HAVE to take both the day trips. Often I plan more and once I'm there I find there's more to do and end up skipping a day trip.
For Orvieto I was thinking of Civita and Viterbo as day trips. So maybe 4 nights there. What is the best way to get from Siena to Orvieto - is train the best? Thanks
For Orvieto I was thinking of Civita and Viterbo as day trips. So maybe 4 nights there. What is the best way to get from Siena to Orvieto - is train the best? Thanks
Nov 15th, 2014, 03:05 PM
#14
Be aware that the Sena bus uses Piazza Gramsci in Siena, but in Rome it uses Tiburtina, not Termini. If you haven't been to Tiburtina, it's a major transport hub for Rome (buses - local, regional, private, trains, metro). Termini is a couple of stops on the metro.
To get to Orvieto from Siena, you can take the train, but you have to change in Chiusi. Trenitalia will at times list a bus between Siena/Chiusi instead of a train.
Taking the bus (112) would involve a change at Montepulciano and you might end up with some down time there (the bus station in Montepulciano does have a large area with food/snacks) so if you decide to do that, check schedules carefully for onward connections to Chiusi so you aren't stuck a couple of hours in Montepulciano. When you get to Chiusi, you would still need to get the train on to Orvieto so that adds an extra change over simply taking the train. The 112 bus is more scenic (goes through Pienza), but since you've already been to those areas, I imagine you've seen those views.
While a there are a couple of other bus options (139 Siena-Chianciano and 107 Siena/Sinalunga), you still have to make a extra changes with them (another bus change with the Chianciano plus the train and still two trains from Sinalunga).
I'm not sure there are easy options Orvieto/Viterbo. I recall looking at that route before and seemed to take a bit of time. Those might be Cotral buses.
To get to Orvieto from Siena, you can take the train, but you have to change in Chiusi. Trenitalia will at times list a bus between Siena/Chiusi instead of a train.
Taking the bus (112) would involve a change at Montepulciano and you might end up with some down time there (the bus station in Montepulciano does have a large area with food/snacks) so if you decide to do that, check schedules carefully for onward connections to Chiusi so you aren't stuck a couple of hours in Montepulciano. When you get to Chiusi, you would still need to get the train on to Orvieto so that adds an extra change over simply taking the train. The 112 bus is more scenic (goes through Pienza), but since you've already been to those areas, I imagine you've seen those views.
While a there are a couple of other bus options (139 Siena-Chianciano and 107 Siena/Sinalunga), you still have to make a extra changes with them (another bus change with the Chianciano plus the train and still two trains from Sinalunga).
I'm not sure there are easy options Orvieto/Viterbo. I recall looking at that route before and seemed to take a bit of time. Those might be Cotral buses.
Nov 15th, 2014, 05:30 PM
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Thanks. Yes I know that the Sena bus leaves from Tiburtina. I've read that you can get a direct train from FCO (not the Leo Express) to Tiburtina. As far as you know is that ture?
It sounds like train would be easier between Orvieto and Siena. The trenitalia site does show a change in Chuisi but it looks like there are quite a few per day and that it takes about 2 hours. So that sounds pretty easy.
As far as Orvieto/Viterbo it does look like Cotral buses is how you'd do it but I can't find a schedule. I guess I'll have to wait and see when I get there. I could always take a day away from Orvieto and add it to Rome (planning on just a day or so in Rome at the end of the trip since that's where I'm flying out of). But it looks like Viterbo from Rome is not very easy either and it at least looks closer to Orvieto.
Well, all things to consider. I just bought the airline tickets yesterday (when I noticed they were selling out!!!). So now I need to decide number of nights for each town so I can book hotels.
Thanks for all your help.
It sounds like train would be easier between Orvieto and Siena. The trenitalia site does show a change in Chuisi but it looks like there are quite a few per day and that it takes about 2 hours. So that sounds pretty easy.
As far as Orvieto/Viterbo it does look like Cotral buses is how you'd do it but I can't find a schedule. I guess I'll have to wait and see when I get there. I could always take a day away from Orvieto and add it to Rome (planning on just a day or so in Rome at the end of the trip since that's where I'm flying out of). But it looks like Viterbo from Rome is not very easy either and it at least looks closer to Orvieto.
Well, all things to consider. I just bought the airline tickets yesterday (when I noticed they were selling out!!!). So now I need to decide number of nights for each town so I can book hotels.
Thanks for all your help.
Nov 16th, 2014, 03:52 AM
#16
I think Viterbo is a couple of hours by bus or train from Orvieto and both involve changes. It's also about 2 hours from Rome. Some buses in Orvieto you can catch at Piazza Cahen while others you catch in front of the train station (usually over by the funicular station).
From FCO, you take the local train to Tiburtina (listed as FL1 on this link, but sometimes called FR1). It departs every 15 minutes and travel time to Tiburtina is about 45 minutes (8€). Validate your ticket before boarding unless is has a time window (Leonardo tickets have a time window listed that you must travel during, not sure the FL1 will have that).
http://atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=4
Sitbusshuttle (with Tiemmspa) started running a bus from FCO to Siena (don't know if it's seasonal), but only two runs per day (9:45am and 2:30pm). I don't know anyone that has used it, but they've been running cheap shuttles into Rome for a couple of years. The route is FCO, Civitavecchia, Orbetello, Grosseto, Siena and travel time is 3:15. If the time works for you, it would cut an hour off your journey. The online booking is only showing through the end of the year. It also shows on a booking map passing through Viterbo, but that is not the route listed so I assume the map is wrong. I don't know if you can buy tickets on board. It does make stops at Piazza Gramsci and Siena FS.
http://www.sitbusshuttle.com/en/nuov...iumicino-roma/
Piazza Gramsci is not a cute little piazza. It's basically a parking lot with buses/stops although it has some shops on one side and via Tozzi on the other. Underneath the lot is an office for bus tickets (they also had luggage storage for limited hours). Look for a ramp to go down under the lot (towards the shops) if you are needing info/tickets. One of the shops on the piazza sells some bus tickets, but not all.
>>>It sounds like train would be easier between Orvieto and Siena.<<<
If you are issued two tickets (because of the train change), you need to validate both.
From FCO, you take the local train to Tiburtina (listed as FL1 on this link, but sometimes called FR1). It departs every 15 minutes and travel time to Tiburtina is about 45 minutes (8€). Validate your ticket before boarding unless is has a time window (Leonardo tickets have a time window listed that you must travel during, not sure the FL1 will have that).
http://atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=4
Sitbusshuttle (with Tiemmspa) started running a bus from FCO to Siena (don't know if it's seasonal), but only two runs per day (9:45am and 2:30pm). I don't know anyone that has used it, but they've been running cheap shuttles into Rome for a couple of years. The route is FCO, Civitavecchia, Orbetello, Grosseto, Siena and travel time is 3:15. If the time works for you, it would cut an hour off your journey. The online booking is only showing through the end of the year. It also shows on a booking map passing through Viterbo, but that is not the route listed so I assume the map is wrong. I don't know if you can buy tickets on board. It does make stops at Piazza Gramsci and Siena FS.
http://www.sitbusshuttle.com/en/nuov...iumicino-roma/
Piazza Gramsci is not a cute little piazza. It's basically a parking lot with buses/stops although it has some shops on one side and via Tozzi on the other. Underneath the lot is an office for bus tickets (they also had luggage storage for limited hours). Look for a ramp to go down under the lot (towards the shops) if you are needing info/tickets. One of the shops on the piazza sells some bus tickets, but not all.
>>>It sounds like train would be easier between Orvieto and Siena.<<<
If you are issued two tickets (because of the train change), you need to validate both.
Nov 16th, 2014, 10:02 AM
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Thanks so much. I've copied all the info. Looks like the two options to get from FCO to Siena are not that different in time and which one would get me there faster would depend how if my flight was on time. But really nice to know I have two options. I just booked my Siena hotel (5 nights).
I realize that Tiburtina is a major transportation hub, but is it relatively easy to find where the bus to Siena will leave from (and where to buy tickets)?
I realize that Tiburtina is a major transportation hub, but is it relatively easy to find where the bus to Siena will leave from (and where to buy tickets)?
Nov 16th, 2014, 10:30 AM
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The only time Leonardo Express and FL1 tickets have a time window is when they're bought online. I wouldn't do that, because if your flight is delayed you may miss the window. Just buy the tickets when you arrive at the airport.
Tiburtina coach station (autostazione Tiburtina) is where the buses leave from in Rome. It's a little bit of a walk from the train station, but well indicated. I find it a little confusing to find the correct ticket windows and departure points for the buses, because many bus companies use the station, and the signs aren't as clear as one might hope.
Usually when you buy tickets for a route that requires a change of train, you're issued one ticket, unless two different types of train are involved. I think the trip from Siena to Orvieto would be entirely on regional trains, so there should be only one ticket. Once the tickets are stamped (validated), they're good for the next six hours, so if you get two tickets, you can validate them both in Siena. Tickets with reserved seats don't need to be validated.
I think the train would be the best way to get between Orvieto and Viterbo. The two towns are in different regions, and in Italy there aren't a lot of interregional buses, and those that there are mostly serve larger cities than these. The trip takes at a minimum 1 hour and 40 minutes, with a change in Attigliano. The total time depends on how long you have to wait for a connection in Attigliano. The trip is all on cheap regional trains, less than €5.
The FL1 (or FL2, 3, etc.) is the new name for the FR1, which before FR1 was called FM1. You see all three names used, and they may have a new name next year, unless they've already scraped the bottom of the name barrel. (L is for Lazio, R was for Regionale, and M was (I think) for Metropolitano.) I still see FR used in the stations; they're probably fed up with the name changing.
Tiburtina coach station (autostazione Tiburtina) is where the buses leave from in Rome. It's a little bit of a walk from the train station, but well indicated. I find it a little confusing to find the correct ticket windows and departure points for the buses, because many bus companies use the station, and the signs aren't as clear as one might hope.
Usually when you buy tickets for a route that requires a change of train, you're issued one ticket, unless two different types of train are involved. I think the trip from Siena to Orvieto would be entirely on regional trains, so there should be only one ticket. Once the tickets are stamped (validated), they're good for the next six hours, so if you get two tickets, you can validate them both in Siena. Tickets with reserved seats don't need to be validated.
I think the train would be the best way to get between Orvieto and Viterbo. The two towns are in different regions, and in Italy there aren't a lot of interregional buses, and those that there are mostly serve larger cities than these. The trip takes at a minimum 1 hour and 40 minutes, with a change in Attigliano. The total time depends on how long you have to wait for a connection in Attigliano. The trip is all on cheap regional trains, less than €5.
The FL1 (or FL2, 3, etc.) is the new name for the FR1, which before FR1 was called FM1. You see all three names used, and they may have a new name next year, unless they've already scraped the bottom of the name barrel. (L is for Lazio, R was for Regionale, and M was (I think) for Metropolitano.) I still see FR used in the stations; they're probably fed up with the name changing.
Nov 17th, 2014, 12:31 PM
#19
>>>The only time Leonardo Express and FL1 tickets have a time window is when they're bought online. <<<
No, I've bought them trackside from machines and they had a specific time window. You had to select a departure time (just as you do if you buy online) and then you have either 90 minutes or 2 hour window (forgot which) to use the ticket.
>>>>Usually when you buy tickets for a route that requires a change of train, you're issued one ticket, unless two different types of train are involved. I think the trip from Siena to Orvieto would be entirely on regional trains, <<<<
I've been issued two tickets and both were regional trains, but yes, you can validate both at your departure point.
>>>I realize that Tiburtina is a major transportation hub, but is it relatively easy to find where the bus to Siena will leave from (and where to buy tickets)?<<<
There may be a couple of bus areas (one for local Rome buses and another area for private bus lines such as Sena, Marozzi, etc.). These private buses sometimes get moved a bit, so you will have to look as it may not be the same area as last time I was there. It's a couple of minutes walk. Hopefully, the Sitbus will work out and you won't have to go into Rome. The link said it was called Tuscany by Bus.
No, I've bought them trackside from machines and they had a specific time window. You had to select a departure time (just as you do if you buy online) and then you have either 90 minutes or 2 hour window (forgot which) to use the ticket.
>>>>Usually when you buy tickets for a route that requires a change of train, you're issued one ticket, unless two different types of train are involved. I think the trip from Siena to Orvieto would be entirely on regional trains, <<<<
I've been issued two tickets and both were regional trains, but yes, you can validate both at your departure point.
>>>I realize that Tiburtina is a major transportation hub, but is it relatively easy to find where the bus to Siena will leave from (and where to buy tickets)?<<<
There may be a couple of bus areas (one for local Rome buses and another area for private bus lines such as Sena, Marozzi, etc.). These private buses sometimes get moved a bit, so you will have to look as it may not be the same area as last time I was there. It's a couple of minutes walk. Hopefully, the Sitbus will work out and you won't have to go into Rome. The link said it was called Tuscany by Bus.
