Need for train reservations?????
 

We will be traveling from Pisa to Florence this Saturday and than from Florence to Chiusi-Chianciano on Sunday. I have be trying the fs-on-line website and am getting nowhere fast ( a lot of error messages ). Are reservations really needed, or will we be able to get the trains we need when we need them?? <BR> <BR>Any advice will be appreciated.

Jerry <BR> <BR>You don't need to worry, Jerry. You won't need reservations. Just go to the train station, buy the ticket and take the first train out. <BR> <BR>Seat reservation service is not provided on D (Direct), R (Regional) and IR (InterRegional) Italian trains. <BR> <BR>So, from Pisa to Florence you're not able to reserve even if you wished. From Florence to Chiusi there are a few trains where reservations would be possible (IC and E trains) but it doesn't pay. Even if you end up travelling on a completely crowded IC train, this wouldn't be a nightmare because you'd be off the train in 1 hour. <BR> <BR>Paulo

Paulo, <BR> <BR>I was planning on getting 1st class tickets from Rome to Venice and from Naples to Rome prior to leaving the US but I was wondering if it's less expensive to purchase them in Italy just prior to departure. I'm trying to minimize hassles and paying a SMALL premium to keep things smooth is worth it. Thought you might know, appreciate any feedback.

I am not sure how much the price varies in the U.S., but wherever you but them make sure that you reserve a seat! We had first class tickets from Rome to Florence and had no seat, you have to buy the seat reservation apart from the ticket. Just a warning because its a long trip from Rome to Venice to be standing.

How long (and where) will you have been in Italy before taking the first train out? When will you be travelling? <BR> <BR>You may settle the train issue as soon as you arrive in Italy. In summer, I wouldn't care much about the Naples-Rome piece (the trip is relatively short and in case I'm unlucky I've been always smart enough in securing a place on the restaurant car (after taking care of luggage). I wouldn't like to travel from Rome to Venice without a seat on a crowded train, though. Anyway, most probably you'll be travelling on an Eurostar. If you're able to get the ticket you should have a place secured once reservations are mandatory. If there aren't any seats left you'll have to try the next train Eurostar out anyway. <BR> <BR>Paulo

For advance purchase in the US of train tickets and seat reservations I have used CIT Tours: <BR>email [email protected] <BR>or phone 888 CIT TOURS <BR>They of course do charge a supplement <BR>

Thank you all, I am so glad I asked this. I figured once you had a reservation on the train you were set; I assumed that meant you also had a seat too. I think I'll get them BEFORE I leave the States and I'll make sure I have seats as well. Thanks again. <BR> <BR>Paulo, I'll have been in Rome for 5 nights prior to leaving for Venice. Then later in my trip I'll have been in Sorrento for 4 nights prior to leaving Naples for Rome. This will be in the second half of September.

An aside on train travel. Have first class ticket, so I will need to make a reservation to use (Rome to Florence). What do I do with my 26" suitcase--check it in, how and where or carry on with me. Sorry for the basic question--first trip

When in Italy you can buy train tickets at any travel agency. They are hooked up via computer to the train reservation systems and will issue a ticket on the spot. There is no charge for this service. If you buy your tickets in advance from the US on eg. the fs website they charge you a substantial commission. Travel agent is better than doing it at the train station. Lots of people buy at the train station at the last minute and the early birds get the first train and the best seats. (They seat 2 people across from each other not side by side like in the US. You will probably want the window seats.)You can buy from a travel agent even 2 hours before train time and get better seats and avoid a full train. <BR>You will probably want to travel on Eurostar on the longer trips (ie. Rome to Venice) as they are much faster and classier than IC trains. Eurostar does not allow standing. If you buy a ticket you will be automatically assigned a seat. IC trains are like the subway, they take everybody. And even if you have an assigned seat you may have to fight for it if someone else got there first. Good luck finding a conductor to move them out of your seats. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip, <BR> <BR>Gerry

Fran:You carry your bags with you. On Eurostar they have a baggage area at the end of each car. No one seems to worry about leaving their bags there although I would be concerned about anything valuable and keep it with me. On other trains they usually have overhead racks for your luggage. Don't carry too many heavy bags! Traveling light avoids a lot of misery. <BR> <BR>Happy travels, <BR> <BR>Gerry