GAC

I'm going to "stick my neck out" and address a very controversial subject: whether it's better to take the plane or the train between Rome and Venice. I expect that there will be many responsive postings which will argue in favor of one method of transportation or the other.

Let's start with the train. Beginning tomorrow, December 13, there will be HOURLY AV "Frecciargento" trains from 6:45 to 18:45 (northbound) which will take 3 hours, 48 minutes to reach Venice S. Lucia Station from Roma Termini. The "base" fare in second class will be 73 Euros, discountable 30% to 51 Euros with an advance purchase of at least 15 days. Through February 28, 2010, there will also be a "Maximum 48 Euro" promotional fare with an advance purchase of midnight prior to the date of travel. Both the 30% discounted fare and the 48 Euro fare are CAPACITY CONTROLLED, so they may be unavailable for the train or date selected. The 48 Euro fare is totally non-changeable and non-refundable (and expires after February 28, 2010 unless extended).

There will also be one Intercity (IC) train between Roma Termini and Venezia S. Lucia, with travel time of six hours, 13 minutes, and a "base" fare of only 40.50 Euros (discountable 30% to 29 Euros with an advance purchase of at least 15 days). The lower cost of the IC train comes with a greater travel time compared to the AV train.

THE AIR OPTION

Now, let's look at the plane. Alitalia has nine daily flights, and the lowest fare is currently 49.27 Euros (with wide upward fluctuations depending on the departure date and time). Then there's Easy Jet, with two daily flights, and a "rock bottom" fare of 10.99 Euros. Sounds good? Wait. You must add 11 Euros for ONE checked bag weighing no more than 20 kilos. But exceeding this weight by up to 3 kilos adds another 27 Euros. So, the total one-way fare per passenger with one piece of checked luggage weighing 21 kilos becomes 48.99 Euros!!! (the same fare as Alitalia's lowest fare). Add a SECOND checked bag on Easy Jet, and the fare increases yet another 11 Euros!!! Then add the public transportation costs to and from the two airports (which varies according to the type of transportation chosen, but figure around 15 Euros).

What about travel time with the air option? You must calculate a minimum commute time of one hour, a minimum advance check-in of 60-90 minutes (including security clearance), and a flight time of one hour. Total travel time by air is therefore three to three and one-half hours, or NEARLY THE SAME AS THE AV TRAIN!!! And if bad weather delays the flight, the train will end up being faster.

Let's say you manage to secure the 30% discounted fare on the AV train: 51 Euros. That compares very favorably to the 64 Euros it costs to travel by plane on Alitalia (including commuting costs to the airport), or on Easy Jet with one checked bag weighing 21 kilos. If you have additional checked bags, or overweight bags, the fare on Easy Jet will skyrocket. By contrast, you can bring as many bags on the train as your heart desires, and nobody will ask you to place them on a scale.

You save money only if you take Easy Jet without any checked bags, or at most with one checked bag weighing 20 kilos or less. Be guided accordingly.

If you don't mind slower travel, you can spend as little as 29 Euros on the IC train from Rome to Venice, but this train takes two hours, 25 minutes longer than the AV train.

Finally, there is also an Intercity Night (ICN) train between Rome and Venice which takes seven hours. This train has sleepers, quad couchettes, and second class seats. As with the daylight trains, all accommodations on the night train can be discounted 30% with an advance purchase of at least 15 days. A discounted second class seat costs as little as 25 Euros (one-third of the AV train's "base" fare).

www.ferroviedellostato.it
www.alitalia.it
www.easyjet.com

J62

It's too close to call. This will require some extensive field research, so I'll have to get back to you.

thursdaysd

You might add greater comfort (usually), greater freedom of movement, and a view in favor of the train. Plus, you didn't include the time spent waiting for your 21 kilo checked bag (assuming it didn't get lost), and did the commute time include travel into the arrival city?

bratsandbeer

When you arrive in Venice by train you are right there - on the Grand Canal. Check out the cost of getting from the airport to your hotel in Venice. That may make a difference if you are looking at cost.

I would vote for the train.

julia1

It's a no-brainer for me. Train every time from now on. Have done it twice by rail, once by air. Train removes the hassle-factor, and you arrive calm and collected after a relaxing time looking out the windows, daydreaming, reading, writing, eyc.

nytraveler

Agree this is a no brainer. Trains are way more comfortable than planes and are rarely subject to the sort of problems that make planes late so often. Never mind going city center to city center versus trekking to and fro airports,, security lines and all the waiting.

christabir

TRAIN!! They stations are in the city so no need to transport yourself in/out of airport. And it's nothing like US trains - they are on time most of the time and if you go during the day the scenery is beautiful.

tdk320n

I would take the train . No cab to and from airports, checking in an hour early ,security check in lines, waiting for luggage that may or may not arrive. For me it is a no brainer decision . However many people may disagree.

J62

I still think it requires more field research.

Hal8999

Train.

Infotrack

Train. And think of the view you get from the train. And somebody already mentioned the HUGE advantage of when you arrive, you are IN Venice. Have you booked a hotel? There are several within easy walking distance to the train station in Venice.