In May of 2010 we anticipate taking a mid-morning train from Santa Lucia in Venice to Termini in Rome. Is any day of the week better to do this in terms of availability, cost, ease of transport, etc.? Weekdays vs. weekends? We intend to purchase the tickets in Venice a few days prior to traveling.

Thanks in advance…bdj

Train schedules are basically the same each and every single day. Fast (4.5hr) ES trains every 1-2 hrs all day long. Price is the same regardless of day or time. Currently they depart at ##:43 - 7 times each day. You will have no problem just buying a ticket as you indicate. Check www.trenitalia.com for schedules (they only post schedules ~60days out, so look at May/June 2009 to get an idea of the schedules).

There are usually discounts available if you purchase at least a day or so in advance (limited number of tickets).

There are some slower trains on this route (ICPlus and IC) that take as much as 1 1/2 hours longer. You will want to book either the AV or ES fast trains. Discount tickets currently require a 7 day advance purchase, but this could change by next year.

How about the reverse trip...Rome to Venice?

Thanks...bdj

Reverse is the same thing. You can look up schedules for yourself at the link posted above.

Hello bdj, it sounds like you will be flying into Venice and departing from Venice. If that is the case I would strongly suggest you not train to Venice the day of your flight as sometimes the trains can be quite late, or even on strike. But since most flights leave early in the morning from Venice that is probably not the situation but just wanted to mention on the slight chance that it is.

Please tell me you arent flying RT Venice.
Why not openjaw?

thanks j62/kybourbon for the link and info...

Can anyone speak to the distinction/advantages of first class on these routes?

Thanks in advance...bdj

1st cl on AV or ES trains have 2 seats on one side of the aisle and one on the other side. Usually (not always), you have seats facing yours and a table in between to share.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/v...0_1aclasse.mov

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/v...0_1aclasse.mov

2nd cl has two and two. 2nd cl is roomier than coach on an airplane.

1st cl you should get a free beverage and maybe a snack (packet of something).
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/v...0_2aclasse.mov

If you want to save 20 Euros per passenger (in each direction), take the IC train "Matilde Serao" in either or both directions, rather than the faster ES/AV trains. The 20 Euro savings will cost you 90 minutes longer travel time. If you try to get the advance purchase "AMICA" fare on the IC train, you'll save 30 Euros per passenger.

As kybourbon notes above, there is not a greal deal of difference between first and second class on either the ES/AV or the IC trains, and most people find second class to be perfectly acceptable. Also note that first class on the IC train costs less than second class on the ES/AV.

BEWARE: There are TWO IC trains per day between Venice and Rome, but ONLY the "Matilde Serao" pulls into the Santa Lucia Station. The "other" IC train stops ONLY at the MESTRE Station, across the bridge on the mainland. That means having to connect to a local train to reach Santa Lucia. Consequently, you should book the "Matilde Serao", and NOT the "other" IC train. If you want to reach your destination as fast as possible, take one of the ES/AV trains and pay 20 Euros more.


Here are the differences between first and second class on Trenitalia ES/AV trains (aside from the difference in fare, which is significant):

1. First class is three-across; second class is four-across; hence, first class seats have more SEAT and SHOULDER room.

2. First class seats have a LITTLE more leg room

3. First class seats pivot forward electrically. Second class seats pivot forward manually.

4. First class seats are supposed to have plugs for electronic gadgets such as P/Cs, portable DVD players and the like. Second class seats may or may not have these plugs (depending on the age of the railcar).

5. In First class on AV trains, passengers are offered complimentary coffee, tea, juice, cookies or crackers, plus an Italian-language newspaper on morning departures. In second class, you can purchase your beverage and snacks for a very small sum from the restaurant/bar railcar. This is nothing more than a marketing "gimmick"

6. There are usually four First class railcars (195 seats), plus seven Second class railcars (476 seats) per ES/AV convoy. Train composition may vary by route and season.

7. Luggage racks at the ends of First class railcars are larger than those of Second class railcars. In Second class, when these racks fill-up, your only remaining options are to stow small luggage overhead, and wedge larger luggage in-between the seat rows near you. The overhead compartments are SMALLER than those on Intercity (IC) trains.

OPINION: Between Rome and Venice (4.5 hours), second class is perfectly fine for most travellers. If you are particularly discriminating or "fussy", consider paying more for first class.

SAVE EVEN MORE MONEY: Take the IC train "Matilde Serao" and save 20 Euros per person. Save 30 Euros per person with the "AMICA" promotional fare on the IC train. Travel time is only 90 minutes longer than the ES.

NOTE: The ES trains are "nicer" than the IC, but many people find the IC perfectly acceptable.

Any further questions?

Can someone please tell me if the Eurail pass is valid for the ES, IC and Regionale trains? It isnt clear at the website. Our itinerary at Christmas has us traveling from Venice to Bologna, Bologna to Pisa, Pisa to Florence, Florence to Perugia, Perugia to Orvieto, and Orvieto to Rome. There will be 5 of us, so I was looking at the Saver pass. A 4day pass for 2nd class is 174.00. Kybourbon- your assistance with figuring out the train schedules was great, (yup- only 7days in advance!!)and I have been able to get the timetables. The pass seems to be a good value but only if it's valid for these trains.
Another question- in Venice we are staying right by the train station, and are thinking of getting up and storing our luggage at the train station before going out to tour Venice so we don't have to haul it around. Does this sound reasonable? I don't know if I can count on having the hotel store it. Thanks again for the help!!

A rail pass is rarely cost effective for Italy. Point-to-point tickets will almost always work out cheaper (not purchased from Eurail). A pass does not include your seat reservations which are mandatory on AV/ES/ICPlus/IC trains. You would have to pay 15-20€ per seat every time you wanted to ride an AV or ES. ICPlus and IC seats are cheaper, but I don't know the current price.

Cost for tickets if purchasing from Trenitaila (don't buy from Raileurope/Eurail or any other reseller) for R trains on these routes. Some of these routes, R trains are about the only option. If there is a faster, more expensive train, the price is usually more than double and you only save about 20 minutes time.

Venice/Bologna 8.90€
Pisa/Florence 5.70€
Bologna/Florence 5.40€
Florence/Perugia 9€
Perugia/Orvieto 6.15€
Orvieto/Rome 7.10€

For Venice/Bologna, you could book the ES for 24€ instead of the R for 8.90€, but travel time is only 15 minutes faster.
For under 50€ ($75) you can purchase all your tickets in Italy. You may also qualify for a few amica discounts by buying 24 hours in advance or the family discount - both would be 20% discount.

Many hotels will store your luggage for free on the day you check out. For storage at the station:
http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/i...003f16f90aRCRD

WOW! I am absolutely blown away by the extent you have gone to help me with this. I have been going back and forth between the trenitalia and raileurope sites trying to do calculations but wasnt aware of the reservation expense. Thank you so much!!

For trains that you can reserve seats (AV/ES,IC's), Trenitalia's prices include the cost of the seat. You can't reserve seats on R trains.