jetsetclicquot

Thanks so much! I guess I was confused from the URL... I haven't seen it yet since I'm not travelling for a while

PalenQ

Italotreno as well because my friends have told me it's far superior than Trenitalia?>

curious as to why they said that - me I have no knowledge of Italo trains at all - was it because they are dependably cheap even without booking a century in stone in advance?

jetsetclicquot

They said it is a private company and that's why they try harder than trenitalia which is a government company

bvlenci

The regular prices of Italo are lower than Trenitalia, and the discounts sell out more slowly.

I've never used Italo because they don't serve the stations nearest me. Since I have to do part of the trip with Trenitalia, it's best to stick with them the whole way, because they honor connections between their own trains.

bvlenci

<i> <b>I'd like to see some documentation of the baggage theft at Termini station. I read about theft of luggage outside the station, where people were waiting for the airport bus, but I haven't heard of thefts by false porters inside the station.</b>

Well read the following:

http://www.italymagazine.com/news/ne...ermini-station

At least as of 2014 fake porters inside the station were a problem - surprised you did not know that </i>

You said there were <b> thefts of baggage </b> by false porters. I know there are (or were) false porters, but I haven't heard of them stealing luggage. That's what I asked for documentation of.

bvlenci

<i> Ah... I always offer help, esp to families and women. If you can't interact with people stay home... </i>

I also offer help to people with children and elderly people.

If someone offers to help you, and you don't want or need help, just say, "No, thank you!". No need to be testy. If they won't take "No" for an answer, then you can get cross with them.

PalenQ

A series of measures to protects tourists from pickpockets and fake porters are being implemented at Rome Termini train station effective August. - from the link I gave above.

OK maybe they were only being fake porters and not taking folks bags or maybe they were - maybe I misread - let me ask you how can you document your take that there are no fake porters scamming folks' luggage - my point was for the OP to not just hand a bag to a guy who looks like a porter without thinking about it. In any case a simple Google search will yields lots of folks who had things stolen at Termini - be very careful with who comes up to you for any reason unfortunately.

Enough said - point is to be very careful - right? and yes some profiles invite scammers - rich Americans or single older women perhaps being prime targets IMO.

Can't see why it took so long for Rome flics to crack down on the situation that by 2014 had gotten out of control.

bvlenci

I read Italian newspapers and also follow the Rome forum on Tripadvisor. I've read complaints about fake porters demanding outrageous tips, but I haven't seen a single one about them stealing luggage. I did see an article recently in an Italian paper about the arrest of some guys (not Italians, by the way) who had stolen suitcases from people who were waiting outside the station for an airport bus.

Who (besides you) said the situation was out of control? I pass through Termini station with luggage fairly often, and use the airport train, and I haven't ever observed these fake porters, although I'm not saying they don't exist. I have definitely observed (and been pestered by) the guys who try to "help you buy your train ticket" at the ticket machines. They also want a tip, and they also hope that you'll forget to take your change, or walk away without all your tickets.

Termini station was greatly improved around the turn of this century. It was really quite seedy the first time I saw it, but other than being a very busy station, for the past fifteen years it's really been not much different from any other train station in Europe.

suze

<cut down on the luggage or find some other way to travel>

Or find some other way for some of the luggage to travel. Any change you can ship the box instead of trying to carry it yourself?

jetsetclicquot

Thanks for all your help guys! I'm going to fly Milan-Roma-Florence now!

PalenQ

Termini station was greatly improved around the turn of this century. It was really quite seedy the first time I saw it, but other than being a very busy station, for the past fifteen years it's really been not much different from any other train station in Europe.>

OK I'll accept that from the expert especially since I have not been tuned in the way bvlenci has been and if he/she says that no extra precautions needed at Termini or Florence main station then that is that - but as in any station or crowded tourist area in Europe use caution and you'll have no problems.

But Rome is ranked #2 by Trip Advisor for pickpockets and the British Foreign Office in 2014 set off quite a storm when it warned folks about Rome:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...ckets-tourists