train passes or point to point tickets?
 

I am going to use the trains for the first time. My route is Venice to Florence. Florence to Pisa just a day trip rt. Florence to Siena another day trip rt. Florence to Naples and then Naples to Rome. Would that be cheaper to do passes? Also, if you booked passes how about getting a seat once you get on a train? It is only one country.If you have to book in advance I would have a problem. Thanks for any help.

Go to www.railsaver.com and be sure to check the box "only if it saves you money".

I'll bet that there is no rail pass that will save you money.

Your post is a little confusing, by the way. If Florence to Naples is roundtrip (a _very_ long day trip), then where does Naples-to-Rome come in?

Best wishes,

Rex

Definitely not even if RailSaver says so in this case

(They may use fares that are really much more than at stations in Italy IME - plus the fare won't indicate that even with a pass you still must pay 15 euros or about $25 each time you ride a Eurostar italia (ES) train like you will need to about three times on your ininerary, adding $75 onto the pass price - and trains in Italy are still much cheaper than the rest of Europe

Go to www.trenitalia.com to get real at station fares to compare with to the pass (for pass info i always refer to www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com for lots of Italian trains, passes ,etc.) But i'm positive no pass for you with those plans. The Florence-Siena thing is best done by bus as it takes you up to the top of the hilltown - trains down below and bus costs about $10 or less. Florence-Pisa trains are regional trains, dirt cheap at about $10 each way. For long journeys scour trenitalia.com online advance discounted fares - but it can be a nightmare to actually use the site in the experiences of many many Fodorites.

don't worry about getting on trains once there - so many rarely a problem anytime

Hi J,

Schedules and fares are at www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Choose Amica fares.

A railpass is rarely cheaper than PtP in Italy.

If you buy a railpass, you will still have to buy seat reservations for AV and ES*.

For Florence/Siena the SITA bus is easier than the train.

The bus station is on Via Santa Caterina de Siena in Florence, close to the SMN train station. The bus drops you off near the center of Siena.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Up to 4 buses an hour most days, Florence to Siena, takes about 1 hr; no reservations possible i think - just show up at the bus station adjoining the main train station.

Hi Rex.
Yes I guess what I wrote was confusing. I am going to Naples and then end trip in Rome.I guess I will use point point tickets and bus for side trips. I will look at all those sites to see what the prices are. Thanks everyone good info.
joanie