Train: Rome to CT/Vernazza
 

I'm trying to navigate the Trenitalia website to get us a ticket from Rome to Vernazza. Looks like there's two options both with a station change at Spezia:

1. One train category is Inner City and then Regionale.

2. The other option is Eurostar / Regionale. This one is about 1/2 hour longer.

Questions: Does this mean they take different routes to get to Vernazza? Anyone got a good explanation of this?

I assume that there's many trains leaving Spezia to Vernazza during the day and that you just catch the next available once you arrive in Spezia or do you have to catch a specific train? Could I walk around Spezia and then come back to the station?

Also, wondering if I should stop off in Pisa for a couple hours?

I read some place where you can just purchase a ticket at Termini but I think I'd like to purchase earlier and not worry about it.

Any help appreciated, thanks!

To see the map mode, use this site:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Click the ">" at left to make it "V" to display details. Then click "show map." The route is shown on the map in red.

La Spezia to Vernazza are "R" train. You can ride any "R" train in the correct class. Be sure you validate the ticket before you hop on. IC = Intercity.

Where are you thinking of buying tickets if not at Termini? If you are arriving by plane at FCO, you can buy Trenitalia tickets at the FCO Trenitalia station.

Hi den,

It is unlikely that you will be able to purchase your tickets via the website. The contractor who does the billing won;t take credit cards from outside the EU.

If you are coming into FCO from the US, you will have plenty of time to make the 12:10.

You can buy your ticket at FCO.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

ES=EuroStar Italia. IC=InterCity. Both go directly from Rome to La Spezia, but the trip doesn't take as long on high-speed ES trains. The fare is also a little higher.

I forgot to answer your other question. There is no reserved seating on Regionale trains so your ticket from La Spezia to Vernazza will be good on any train. Walk around as long as you wish in La Spezia and then jump on the next train to Vernazza. Be sure to validate your ticket in the machine at La Spezia.

Where are you thinking of buying tickets if not at Termini?

I was going to just by them on Trenitalia's website, but maybe just to make sure I should buy them once in Italy?

hi denzlite,

we bought our tickets for our day-trip to Orvieto at termini, and the biggest hazard was the people who offered to "help" us to buy them. just say "non, grazie" and then ignore them - they'll go and try to find some other victim.

it's a doddle to get them - select language eg "english", then your destination [you need the ones outside Rome, obviously], then whether you want 1st or 2nd class, single or return, and how many you want [ie how many of you are travelling]. put your money in, and there you are. don't forget to pick up your tickets and any change.

there are loads and loads of ticket machines right at the front of the station. somehow we missed those and used the ones at the side near the buffet on the right while DS went and bought our breakfast. there are also the usual book-stores, loads of food-shops [the cafe on the right has excellent coffee, spremuta and baked goods like croissants which you can eat there or take away] and toilets - you need some small-change to give to the attendant.

have a great trip!

regards, ann

The portion of your ticket on IC or ES is for a specific train and a specific seat so no you can not stop off somewhere and jump on another train the rest of the way. The portion for the R train can be used on other R trains usually.

Both of the trains you are looking at go up the coast, but if you want to visit Pisa, you must book a ticket to Pisa and then a ticket Pisa to Vernazza. There is luggage storage at Pisa Centrale if you want to store your luggage and visit the tower.