Purchasing Italian Rail Tickets in US & Firenze Card
Mar 4th, 2013, 05:36 PM
#1
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Purchasing Italian Rail Tickets in US & Firenze Card
My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy in July starting in Florence, then traveling to Vernazza and Lucca, and departing from Bologna. I would like to purchase train tickets in advance for each leg of the journey from the trenitalia website but it must be too far in advance; the website won't list any available routes. Does anyone have any information on when I can start purchasing tickets from the US? I would like to take advantage of any economy or super-economy fares by booking early. Also, has anyone used a Firenze Card in Florence in July? Does it really eliminate waiting in line without reservations at places like the Uffizi during this busy time? Thanks in advance for any insight!
Mar 4th, 2013, 06:02 PM
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Tickets for Lucca and Vernazza include Regionale (R) trains for some or all of the route. R tickets can only be purchased online a week ahead of time. And it is NEVER worthwhile to purchase R tickets online--there is no benefit since there is no discount nor reserved seats for R trains, plus R tickets purchased online have more restrictions.
However, you might benefit from advanced purchase between Florence and Bologna and portions of the trip to Vernazza. The summer schedules probably won't be posted until early June. You can anticipate the schedules and different legs that are not R trains by testing you desired routes using a date this coming week. Use this link to research train possibilities:
http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html
However, you might benefit from advanced purchase between Florence and Bologna and portions of the trip to Vernazza. The summer schedules probably won't be posted until early June. You can anticipate the schedules and different legs that are not R trains by testing you desired routes using a date this coming week. Use this link to research train possibilities:
http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html
Mar 4th, 2013, 06:51 PM
#4
R trains don't have reserved seating so don't sell out. You must validate the ticket before boarding.
For Venice or Bologna you will probably use the faster AV, ES, or IC trains which come with specific seats assigned. You don't need to validate tickets that have seats. They will be checked on board.
Summer schedules aren't loaded yet and might not be until early June. Keep checking if you want to snag some discounts for the fast trains.
Some people prefer the bus from Florence to Lucca as many R trains don't have AC and the bus does. Travel time is the same.
For Venice or Bologna you will probably use the faster AV, ES, or IC trains which come with specific seats assigned. You don't need to validate tickets that have seats. They will be checked on board.
Summer schedules aren't loaded yet and might not be until early June. Keep checking if you want to snag some discounts for the fast trains.
Some people prefer the bus from Florence to Lucca as many R trains don't have AC and the bus does. Travel time is the same.
Mar 4th, 2013, 07:01 PM
#5
>>>Also, has anyone used a Firenze Card in Florence in July?<<<
Most people have a hard time getting the value of the Florence Card. The cost is 50€. Entrance to the Uffizi is only 6.50€. You can book entrance online with the museum to bypass the long ticket lines. There is a 4€ reservation fee. In summer the museums often have special exhibits and charge extra admittance fees (typically 3-4€ more).
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/index.php
Most people have a hard time getting the value of the Florence Card. The cost is 50€. Entrance to the Uffizi is only 6.50€. You can book entrance online with the museum to bypass the long ticket lines. There is a 4€ reservation fee. In summer the museums often have special exhibits and charge extra admittance fees (typically 3-4€ more).
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/index.php
