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-   -   High Speed train from Rome to Florence (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/high-speed-train-from-rome-to-florence-1016912/)

bucketlister2012 Jun 12th, 2014 06:44 AM

High Speed train from Rome to Florence
 
Hello!

Have any of you taken a train form Rome to Florence that takes 1.5 hours? Did you have to go to the Tiburtina station or is there a high speed train that leaves from the Roma Termini?
Also, can you tell me if you had to reserve ahead of time and what the cost was. Thanks!

doug_stallings Jun 12th, 2014 06:52 AM

Train tickets are always cheaper when booked in advance, but web-fares may be nonrefundable; fares are run more like airfares and become much more expensive at the last minute. But you don't necessarily have to take a high-speed train to get to Florence from Rome in 1.5 hours. That's the typical time. Some of the regional trains take longer, but you can certainly get a train from Tiburtina or Ostiense to Florence that will arrive in 1.5 hours or less, and I would think you'd have several choices

mogsanova Jun 12th, 2014 07:32 AM

bookmarking - thanks!

kybourbon Jun 12th, 2014 07:37 AM

Italo trains currently leave from Tiburtina. Trenitalia trains from Termini, but also Tiburtina. I think Italo is going to have access to Termini also before too long.

Walk up price is about 45€ on both train companies (most of their prices/discounts are about the same). Advance purchase discount tickets (available 120 days in advance on Trenitalia and 6 months on Italo) run about the same too (19€ for the biggest discount and about 29 for the next one up).

>>>Some of the regional trains take longer,<<<

Regional trains take about 3 1/2 hours.

Summer schedules run from 2nd weekend in June to 2nd weekend in Dec. and schedules have to be loaded before you can book (Trenitalia tends to be very late loading schedules).

Italo only has fast trains between major cities (not the small towns that Trenitalia does)and runs less often. This is 2nd class on Trenitalia's fast trains.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg

bucketlister2012 Jun 12th, 2014 08:12 AM

Thank-you! I will book ahead. I am wondering if we book second class,if there is a luggage limit. I think we will have one medium to large suitcase and one carry on each.

Dukey1 Jun 12th, 2014 08:32 AM

The only "luggage limit" is how much you can lug onto the train and the amount of space you can find to put that luggage into.

IF you are boarding at an origination station and have a lot of luggage, I strongly suggest you get yourself onto the platform early and be one of the first people to board (that way finding the space isn't so much of an issue).

nytraveler Jun 12th, 2014 09:02 AM

There is no limit on luggage since no one has a clue how much luggage each person has - it's your luggage and you have to deal with it through the stations, onto the platforms, on and off the trains - plus finding a place to store it. Carry-ons and other small bags fir on the overhead. Larger bags will NOT fit there and need to be stored - usually at the end of the car - but perhaps between some seats (if seats going in different directions are back to back). It differs by specific train.

But, if all your travel is by train do NOT bring more luggage than you can easily pick up and walk with for a block or more - and manage on escalators or ramps.

And you must be ready to board immediately the train pulls into the stations and also ready to debark (with your luggage and standing at the door) when you arrive - since they frequently only stop for 5 minutes or even less (people need to debark and new ones board in this time - you can't lollygag and clog doors or aisles with your luggage).

kybourbon Jun 12th, 2014 10:08 AM

>>>I think we will have one medium to large suitcase and one carry on each.<<<

Pack those large cases and see if you can easily carry them up and down a flight of stairs with your carry on. If not, find a smaller case and pack lighter. You will encounter many places with stairs (even hotels and train stations) and you need to be able to manage your own luggage.

The days of porters on trains to carry your trunk are long gone (and it doesn't matter if you are traveling 1st class or 2nd).

If you travel by train to any smaller towns, most stops will be 1 minute (some may be as long as 4 minutes). The trains will not wait on you to drag your luggage to the door and you will miss your stop.

The fast trains are usually in the stations 10-15 minutes.

PalenQ Jun 12th, 2014 11:04 AM

I took a regional train not long ago from Rome's Tiburtina station to Florence's Campo di Marte (sp?) station and yes it took about 3 hours or so and I loved it - I was in no hurry and I had a compartment (1st class) all to myself and my bags.

the train stopped many times which I also enjoyed - like at Orvieto - I love seeing station actions and a bit of the town from the train.

High-Speed trains take an all-new high-speed rail route that avoids all towns and usually has no intermediate stops and are usually chock full IME in 2nd class and even more and more in first class.

but the price was dirt cheap as well - so if not in a hurry take the slow boat, err I mean train from Rome to Florence.

The Campo di Marte station is a major if secondary Florence station that is just about as close to the historic town center than the main station Santa Maria Novella (SMN).

Nicest thing about regional trains - reservations are not possible and it's a flat fare - just buy your ticket before the train - no locking yourself into some restricted ticket months or weeks in advance - and starting from Rome or Florence the train will rarely IME be very full (unless there is some big football contest, etc.)

bucketlister2012 Jul 20th, 2014 11:16 AM

Hello, I just returned from a wonderful adventure in the western U.S. visiting Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. I would highly recommend this trip for any bucketlist! I want to thank all of you for your helpful comments. I still need to book all transfers for our trip in Sept/Oct.

sandralist Jul 20th, 2014 11:57 AM

There are other discounts available other than simply booking in advance. You need to check out the Trenitalia website and also the website Man in Seat 61 for best information.


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