wanderful

I will be staying in Siena in May. Some preliminary searches seem to indicate that there is bus service between Siena and Arezzo, with a change at Sinalunga. Is this correct? If that's true, has anyone done this? What was your experience?

I don't think there's any train service between Siena and Arezzo.

I know there's bus service between Florence and Arezzo, but I won't be staying in Florence.

I guess I could rent a car in Siena, but I'm rather leery about doing this, since I'm going solo and only feel comfortable driving around Italy when I have a fellow traveler and navigator, my wife, who won't be joining me.

senozkadir

I have no idea about the bus but there is train service between the two-with a change at Sinalunga.
here is the trenitalia sample link
http://www.lefrecce.it/B2CWeb/search...chOutputViewer
Bon voyage

asps

http://www.lfi.it/orari_linee_si_mob/138.pdf

(FER=working days FES=festive days 1-5=Monday to Friday, if not festive, SAB=Saturday)

greg

Yes, there are train services between Siena and Arezzo. What is not there is a service WITHOUT changing trains. Other stations to change are Florence and Chiusi. Siena train station is outside the city while the bus station is inside the city. For example, #138 Siena-Arezzo http://www.trainspa.it/train04/extraurbano.pdf connects V.Tozzi inside Siena to Arezzo in 90 minutes while trains take more than 2 hrs, needs change, and need to get to the Siena train station. One thing I don't like about buses is that I need to put my luggage under the bus where the doors are opened at every stop where anyone has access to my luggage. So far, I have not lost my luggage...

kybourbon

You can usually sit on the side you place your luggage and just keep an eye on it at stops. Not everyone has luggage as many of these buses are used by Italians that aren't traveling with luggage. Often there isn't anyone getting off or on at many of the stops.

To get the price for the bus linked by asps and Greg, use busfox.
http://www.busfox.com/timetable/

The bus map for the area:
http://www.sienamobilita.it/mappe/Mappa_EXT.pdf

The Siena via Tozzi stop is the bus hub in Siena - Piazza Gramsci.

wanderful

Thank you all for your replies.

They are very helpful.

wanderful

Should I get round-trip tickets in advance for the train or the bus from Siena to Arezzo? Or can I wait until I get to Siena?

I'll be arriving in Siena on May 8 and am planning to go to Arezzo on the 14th.

kybourbon

Are you going round trip from Siena to Arezzo?

I would just wait until you get there (how are you getting to Siena?) and buy a ticket a day or two after you arrive. I would take the bus as it's more comfortable and less hassle (no changes required like the train). Usually the buses aren't full and AFAIK, you can't buy these bus tickets online. Be sure you buy for the bus that doesn't have connections although I don't think they sell a particular time, just a particular day.

The trains that connect Siena/Arezzo (change in Sinalunga) are old R trains. There is no reserved seating on these trains and no discount tickets so no reason to buy in advance. They usually have no amenities (no AC, no 1st cl, no drinks/food,sometime uncomfortable bench style seats, etc.). You would also have the extra hassle of getting from the old town to the train station in Siena by either city bus or taxi. R train tickets bought online from Trenitalia have more restrictions than R tickets bought in Italy. There is no advantage to buying them online in advance, only disadvantages.

The bus will be like a tour bus with AC and depart right at the edge of the old town (walking distance from most of the pedestrian only area). You are expected to put your own luggage underneath and retrieve it when you get off. Sometimes the driver will get out and open the luggage area at major stops, but not at small stops.

Bus tickets and R train tickets must be validated. Bus tickets you stamp on board. R tickets you stamp at a machine track side before boarding.

wanderful

kybourbon:

Thank you for your insights.

Yes, I'm going (Siena/Arezzo) round-trip. Looks like the bus is the way to go. And it's comforting to know I can get the tickets when I get to Siena.

You raise another issue (: I will be staying in Siena. I will be going there from Rome. There seems to be some debate on the Forum about whether it's better to take a bus or a train from Rome to Siena. Which mode would you recommend? I'll also be coming back to Rome from Siena. And, of course, there's the related question: Whether I take a bus or a train from Rome to Siena (and back), do I need to get tickets in advance?

wanderful

What is that weird icon on my post?

kybourbon

The bus is better from Rome to Siena. You take the Sena bus from Rome's Tiburtina station which is a major bus hub and on the metro. There are about 10 departures per day. There are one or two that have a change so you don't want to book those. Most don't involve a change. The bus and the train take about the same amount of time (about 3 hours), but all trains require a change (most in Chiusi) which is a hassle with luggage.
http://www.sena.it/Home/78-1-en.html

The trains are R trains - no amenities. Trains are usually only scheduled to stop 1-3 minutes so you have to be ready to get off with your luggage at Chiusi (probably a 1 minute stop). Last time I took the train between Rome/Siena, the train leaving Rome was very late. They held the Chiusi/Siena train a few minutes for us as it was the last train of the day. Had to throw my luggage on and jump off to find a validation machine. Not fun. There were also people on that train that were getting off at the wrong stops. One couple trying to get to Montepulciano bought tickets to Stazione Montepulciano (not close and no public transport to Montepulciano). Another couple going to Siena started to get off at the Torrita di Siena stop (an hour from Siena). From the train station, you would still need to get to the center.

You can book Sena tickets online, but I'm not sure how far in advance. It rolls over to Baltour for booking and I notified my credit card in advance. You have to select a departure time, a departure station and arrival station. Last time I booked with them, you printed the ticket and the driver tore a portion of it off on boarding, but that was a couple of years ago. Sometimes there are special prices for advance purchase.

>>>What is that weird icon on my post? ) without a space between them.

http://www.fodors.com/community/smileys/

If you are planning a round trip to Arezzo in one day, I would buy both of those in Seina so you don't have to track down somewhere to buy tickets in Arezzo. Ticket offices can take long breaks or close early.