Looking for guidance here - if I recall correctly someone recommended not taking the IC train, however I don't know if that was any IC or one on a particular route. There's about a 30 minute and 30E difference between the two.

How's the IC train between Rome and Naples?

Any feedback welcome.

travelfan1

I'm sure not all the IC trains are bad, but the one I mistakenly took from Rome Termini to Naples was really bad! It was filthy, I didn't even want to sit on the seats, let alone go anywhere near the restroom, which absolutely reeked. It's a LONG ride with no restroom! It does stop frequently. My trip took 2.5 hours instead of the 1.5 hour ES train I purchased. A sad, jet-lagged mistake, although it did leave from the same track, just 5 minutes apart.

Lesson learned - read your train numbers on the ticket and check.

Train to Orvieto from Rome is a cinch. Just an hour.

I'd go for the connection.

This is a controversial question. I always try to avoid train connections if possible: there's the chance of missing the connection, plus I hate having to drag luggage up and down trains. For that reason alone, I would gravitate toward the direct IC train between Naples and Orvieto rather than the ES or AV with a connection in Rome.

Add the considerably lower cost of the IC train generally and on this segment in particular, as well as the small difference in travel time, and I would definitely go with the IC, especially if the schedules are good (as they are). For me, the IC wins, hands down.

Now, there are those who are convinced that just about every IC train is dirty, filthy, or simply unkempt. This may or may not be the case. Not every ES/AV train is that clean, either (but you can be sure they are much more expensive!). The odds are that the ES and AV trains will indeed be cleaner than the IC, but there are also exceptions to this rule. I prefer the certaintly of saving 30 Euros to the uncertainty of whether the IC train will be unacceptably poorly maintained.

Now, I expect kybourbon (and some others) to cast a vote against the IC!

Yes, I'll chime in against the IC train the entire way. Maybe guys don't mind the ick factor or the seating arrangements as much as women do. If you must take the IC, book 1st cl. It's not that much more money.

I find R trains more pleasant than some of the IC trains. You could take the ES Fast and R train connection a bit cheaper than the ES/AV and IC connection.

>>>however I don't know if that was any IC or one on a particular route.<<<

You have to look at each route when considering train differences. Sometimes it's can be just 15 minutes difference in travel time and other times it can be 3 hours.

I'm a woman and have never experienced the extremely unclean conditions on IC trains that have been described here--unless you're referring to the restroom, which is never a treat on ANY train. I agree that on an IC train I always book 1st class.

Hi tf,

IC trains aren't always on time; the ES* trains are.

ES trains are NOT always on time!!!!!

You can monitor the performance (time performance) of all Trenitalia trains on the Trenitalia website.

What are the seating arrangements in the IC trains that you refer to, kybourbon? How do they differ from 1st class to 2nd class? Generally, are the 1st class IC trains relatively clean?

Thanks!

Just to clarify, I've taken all types of trains and metros all around Italy on several trips. The IC Termini/Napoli was really the only dirty one I've encoutered. I would just choose the faster train even if I had to make a connection.

Circumvesuia = fine, Napoli/Salerno = fine, Salerno-Paestum = fine, but very late. Milano Centrale-Venice ES, standing room only, glad I had a res!

I've had ES trains that were late (over an hour). Any train can be late.

Modeen14 - Not all IC trains are alike, but generally 2nd class are compartments of 6 seats (three facing three) without a dividing table. Click on London to Sicily on this link to see pictures of IC. Note that most IC trains will not look this nice (or clean).
http://www.seat61.com/Italy.htm

I've been on quite a few ES trains that ran late!

Okay, the IC between Naples and Rome is out, we'll do the ES, however it might have to be the IC to Orvieto.

Take the R train from Rome to Orvieto. Travel time is only 9-12 minutes longer than the IC (no ES trains stop at Orvieto). IC prices 18.50€ (1st) 13.50€ (2nd) v R prices 11€ (1st) 7.10€ (2nd).

Is your starting point really Naples or will you actually be starting elsewhere on the Amalfi coast? Suggestions may be different if you are actually departing from the coast area.

Hi GAC,

>ES trains are NOT always on time!!!!!<

Don't be so picky.

If the ES* is more than 0:30 hr late, you get a refund: If the IC is more than 2 hrs late, you are 2 hrs late - right.
.............................................
Hi D,
>Milano Centrale-Venice ES, standing room only, glad I had a res!<

That's good to know, since ES* is supposed to be reserved seating only.

ira: BEWARE!: THE RULES HAVE CHANGED:

You can get a refund equal to 25% of the ticket price if the train is at least 60 minutes late;

You can get a refund equal to 50% of the ticket price if the train is at least 120 minutes late.

Here is the actual text of the rule:

Indennizzo per ritardo
Indennizzo per ritardo biglietti di corsa semplice
Potete richiedere un’ indennizzo per ritardo pari al
- 25% del prezzo del biglietto per un ritardo compreso tra 60 e 119 minuti;
- 50% del prezzo del biglietto per un ritardo di almeno 120 minuti.
viene rilasciato un bonus valido per l’acquisto di un nuovo titolo di viaggio entro 12 mesi dalla data di effettuazione del viaggio oppure viene accordata l’indennità in denaro a scelta del viaggiatore.

I took IC train from Napoli to Orvieto last Sunday, nothing wrong except the wc.

The ES train I took from Rome to Napoli 3 weeks ago was more than one hour late., And the IC train from Genova to Rome was 2 hours late, too bad no time to get the refund.