I need to take the train from Rome to Florence, then Florence to Venice, Venice back to Florence, and finally Florence to Rome. This is within a 2 and1/2 week period. Do I get a 4 day pass that is good for one month or buy each leg separately? Buy here or wait till I get there? Thank you. Karen

Almost surely individual point-to-point tickets. but check www.railsaver.com - - that's why it exists.<BR><BR>Buy the tickets there.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

to the top<BR>

I went to railsaver.com and it is very confusing. They don't have times and they don't tell you what kind of trains you will be on. I want to take the Eurostar and they never mentioned types of trains at all. Unless I missed a link, I found it to be no help at all. I am very confused about the 4 train trips I need to take. Can anyone help? I have already tried the websites or I wouldn't be here asking for help. Thanks Karen

Check www.trenitalia.com and compare their prices for point-to-point tickets to the price of a 4 days pass. It's the best way way to be sure. That say, I would bet that the point to point tickets will be cheaper than a pass, given your planned itinerary.<BR><BR>The type of train you're using doesn't make a huge difference in price.

Sometimes I get lambasted for answers that are too wordy. This one was too terse. The website www.railsaver.com only lets you see whether point-to-point tickets are a better deal than a pass. And I was pretty sure that this would be the case. Were you able to determine that?<BR><BR>For actual schedules and prices, go to www.trenitalia.com or www.fs-on-line.com (one and the same). Or for schedules only, go to www.raileurope.com - - and clock on "our database of schedules..." or something like that. either web site will tell you about eurostar or non-eurostar options.<BR><BR>But the bottom line is that the lines you want have very frequent service - - every hour or two. Even if you had NO advance knowledge of what you want and just show up at the train station (or ask your hotel front desk), you will be able to get what you want on these four segments with little or no difficulty.<BR>

London. Do you read me, London?<BR><BR>

Karen - Try www.euraide.com. These folks were very helpful to me. B

Since he is here today.<BR>

But a different Karen, no doubt. My wife never gets on the computer. I am curious about the website mentioned above called Trenitalia. Is it possible to buy your tickets online there. I am missing it if it is possible.<BR>

Thank you very much for the new webistes. I will try again. Am I being silly for wanting to travel on the Eurostar. Is it more expensive, faster? Does it make the Rome-Florence Florence-Venice routes? Is it better to buy tickets in the USA ahead of time? Do you have to have exact times when you buy ahead of time? This is the only thing that has given me trouble in planning my first trip to Europe. Thanks everyone Karen

Am I being silly for wanting to travel on the Eurostar. <BR><BR>Silly? No. you'd almost be silly NOT to.<BR><BR>Is it more expensive, faster? <BR><BR>Slightly more expensive. Twice as fast, Twice the comfort.<BR><BR>Does it make the Rome-Florence Florence-Venice routes? <BR><BR>Yes. This IS essentially its "home" route.<BR><BR>Is it better to buy tickets in the USA ahead of time? <BR><BR>You will pay 50% more to buy them ahead in the US. You will gain 5% more peace of mind.<BR><BR>Do you have to have exact times when you buy ahead of time? <BR><BR>Yes. and you are more or less stuck with those times. You can change them for no additional cost. But then it takes the same effort as buying them there in the first place.<BR>

Thank you Helper for all the advice. When I check prices on railsaver and they give me a certain price for each person for all four trips, are they giving me the Eurostar. If not how do I book that train? Thanks again. Karen

You can also price on www.trenitalia.com - - I predict that RailSaver IS quoting you the Eurostar price - - but that's the way to be sure.<BR>

topping, for Karen, again<BR>

Thanks all of you. I finally figured out the both the train sites last night. If I wait until I get there, how far ahead of time should I buy and where are the best places to buy tickets? On the Eurostar is is worth the difference to get 1st class? What is the difference? Thanks Karen

Buy your tickets the day before or just show up 30-40 inutes early for the Eurostar. 10-30 minutes early for almost any other train.<BR><BR>It's a matter of whether you want to commit yourself to leave at a specific time, or wait and see what's the weather like, what last minute things do you want to see before you depart from a city, and so on.<BR><BR>It's been interesting to see how this question has gone from clueless and helpless to being able to figure out things on your own.<BR><BR>Now you're starting to sound like "when should I call for reservations at a popular restaurant?"<BR>

Joel, I am not sure if that last comment was a cut or not, but this is my first trip overseas and I can't find all the answers in books. This site has saved my life and I appreciate all the serious answers I have gotten the last several months. It is going to make my trip much more memorable. I will definitely help other first timers when I get back. The first part of your answer was great. I just didn't get the last part. Karen

Karen,<BR><BR>"Joel" is almost certainly a regular here who has a good side and a snippy side.<BR><BR>The last part was a cut, for sure. You will end up figuring out certain thigs for yourself. They'll depend on what matters to you. Like do I make dinner plans for the evening right after breakfast? or be more spontaneous and decide when the time comes. No one can ultimately advise you on some aspects of how you take your trip.<BR><BR>and some of the most memorable will come from figuring things out on the spot when you least expected it.<BR>

got to top it up, one more time<BR>