Rail pass or point-to-point??
May 6th, 2010, 03:17 PM
#1
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Rail pass or point-to-point??
My husband and I are planning a 14-day trip to Italy... in THREE days! I am trying to figure out whether it would be cheaper to buy a rail pass but can't quite figure it out...
We will be taking trains for 5 days, EuroStar if possible, 2nd class.
Day 1: arriving at FCO airport and immediately train to Florence.
Day 2: Florence to Cinque Terre round trip.
Day 3: Florence to Venice
Day 4: Venice to Rome
Day 5: Rome to Pompeii round trip
The total price of purchasing point-to-point tickets is 288.80 euro. The price of a 6-day (no 5-day available) rail pass is 189.00. So far it looks cheaper... but then when I was reading similar topic on this forum, people were saying that if I want to take any ES trains, I would have to purchase additional reservations on top of my rail pass. I tried to search on the Trenitalia site but couldn't find out what the current reservation price is per trip. Does anyone have information on that? And more importantly, am I looking at the comparison properly?!
We will be taking trains for 5 days, EuroStar if possible, 2nd class.
Day 1: arriving at FCO airport and immediately train to Florence.
Day 2: Florence to Cinque Terre round trip.
Day 3: Florence to Venice
Day 4: Venice to Rome
Day 5: Rome to Pompeii round trip
The total price of purchasing point-to-point tickets is 288.80 euro. The price of a 6-day (no 5-day available) rail pass is 189.00. So far it looks cheaper... but then when I was reading similar topic on this forum, people were saying that if I want to take any ES trains, I would have to purchase additional reservations on top of my rail pass. I tried to search on the Trenitalia site but couldn't find out what the current reservation price is per trip. Does anyone have information on that? And more importantly, am I looking at the comparison properly?!
May 6th, 2010, 03:54 PM
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10 euro per ticket reservation fee.
Chances are the trips to which I have added asterisks will require reservations.
Day 1: FCO-Rome; Rome-Florence*
Day 2: Florence-La Spezia*; Local train within Cinque Terre; La Spezia-Florence*
Day 3: Florence-Venice*
Day 4: Venice-Rome*
Day 5: Rome-Naples*; Local Circumvesuviana train Naples-Pompeii round trip; Rome-Naples*
7 asterisks = 70 euro per person in reservation fees.
The train to La Spezia may be IC rather than ES.
Also keep in mind, if you buy all your train tickets when you first arrive in Italy, you may qualify for some discounts for purchasing ahead.
Chances are the trips to which I have added asterisks will require reservations.
Day 1: FCO-Rome; Rome-Florence*
Day 2: Florence-La Spezia*; Local train within Cinque Terre; La Spezia-Florence*
Day 3: Florence-Venice*
Day 4: Venice-Rome*
Day 5: Rome-Naples*; Local Circumvesuviana train Naples-Pompeii round trip; Rome-Naples*
7 asterisks = 70 euro per person in reservation fees.
The train to La Spezia may be IC rather than ES.
Also keep in mind, if you buy all your train tickets when you first arrive in Italy, you may qualify for some discounts for purchasing ahead.
May 6th, 2010, 03:57 PM
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Are you thinking of a Eurail pass? I think they need to be purchased and delivered in the U.S. The extra reservation fees for the pass are usually not more than a few dollars. I have received great information when I have called Rick Steves' company about purchasing rail passes and whether there is a cost/convenience savings. Sorry I don't have specific price info for you but this will at least top your post!
May 6th, 2010, 04:31 PM
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Ellenem, thanks for your info! It looks like the pass would be slightly cheaper. Do you know if I need to purchase separate tickets for the Leonardo express from fco to termini station?
Cls2paris, I am talking about the railpass for Italy only.
Aside from the price, do you guys think buying the railpass will be worthwhile? I know some people suggested that buying reservations would require lining up, which can take a lot of time...
Cls2paris, I am talking about the railpass for Italy only.
Aside from the price, do you guys think buying the railpass will be worthwhile? I know some people suggested that buying reservations would require lining up, which can take a lot of time...
May 6th, 2010, 06:12 PM
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Leonardo Express needs its own special ticket, not on a pass.
I'd probably woldn't buy a pass but would buy the ticket when I first arrived to snag the "meno 15" and "meno 30" discounts as I could.
Here's Rick Steves' word on an Italy Pass
http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/italy.cfm
The Eurail Italy Pass must be purchased in the U.S.--it cannot be purchased in Italy.
I'd probably woldn't buy a pass but would buy the ticket when I first arrived to snag the "meno 15" and "meno 30" discounts as I could.
Here's Rick Steves' word on an Italy Pass
http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/italy.cfm
The Eurail Italy Pass must be purchased in the U.S.--it cannot be purchased in Italy.
May 7th, 2010, 03:33 AM
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No, according to your math a rail pass is not a bad idea. Neither is simply buying point to point tickets. As pointed out above, you may be able to snag some discounts if you purchase ahead of time, so it may turn out to be a wash.
Since you need to buy a seat reservation for most of the trains anyway you aren't saving any time.
You can purchase an Italy Interail pass online today and pick it up at any Trenitalia ticket window at FCO when you arrive.
Since you need to buy a seat reservation for most of the trains anyway you aren't saving any time.
You can purchase an Italy Interail pass online today and pick it up at any Trenitalia ticket window at FCO when you arrive.
