Hello-
My husband and I are going to Italy for the first time in Oct. 2008. We are flying into Rome and staying in Trastavere. What is the best way to get from the airport to the hotel?

After a few days in Rome, we would like to take the train to Naples and we are staying in Sorrento. What is the best way to get from Naples train station to Sorrento?

After Sorrento, we would like to take a train to Florence and after a few days there take train to Venice. I am pretty sure we can walk (or take taxi in Florence and water bus in Venice) to our hotels.

I would like to take a fast train (is this called the Eurostar?) between all the cities. In reading this forum it seems we should book trains when we get there, rather than to try to do it from the U.S. is that correct? How do we do this specifically? Also, I have heard of the Roma Pass, would we want to get this? I don't understand too much about it.

I want to travel as cost efficiently and as quickly as possible. Thanks so much for your help

Also, what is a Eurorail pass and how is it different from a Roma pass? Thanks

Airport to Trastevere: Take the Leonardo Express train to the Termini station, then take a taxi to your hotel. Or taxi all the way from the airport. Or hire a car service to meet your flight. It just depends on how much you want to spend.

Naples to Sorrento: Take the Circumvesuviana train from the Naples train station. Just follow the signs after you arrive at Naples. The journey takes about an hour. You'll have to take the same train back from Sorrento to Naples to catch a train to Florence.

Eurostar is a one of the fast trains. The AV train is the other.

You can purchase all of your train tickets after you arrive in Rome either at the train station or at a travel agency.

Here's a link to check train schedules:

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Here's a link to find info on the Roma Pass:

http://www.romapass.it/english/index.html

A Eurorail pass is a train pass that covers travel through several European countries. You don't need one.

Good advice above. No need to buy train tickets ahead of arrival, especially since you'll be missing high season. I've found the agents at Termini helpful, but unless you speak Italian, it might help to go with your specific times and destinations written on a piece of paper. My experience has been that taxis are plentiful at FCO airport. Taxis are also plentiful at the Florence train station and (I thought) reasonably priced. Private water taxis in Venice are the ultimate in convenience and are priced accordingly, but they can be nice if you are tired, not exactly sure where your hotel is relative to the water bus stop, or if you find you didn't pack as light as you thought you did! If memory serves, for the (public, not private) water bus, you could buy a single ticket or a 24, 36, or 72 hour pass, with the passes being possibly much better deals if you intend to use the water bus much. Have a great trip!

I'm also thinking about staying in Trastevere. Isn't there another train station in the southern part of Trastevere that also travels from the airport?

Yes.

No need to take the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini.

Instead take the Fara Sabina/Orte (FR1) train from Rome Airport. This stops at Roma Trastevere.

Departures every 15 mins. Journey time: 25 mins approx.

Taxis are available at Trastevere station.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Note that the Circumvesuviana line from Napoli to Sorrento is not part of the main state railway system, so does not appear on the Trenitalia website. To get to Sorrento, you need to buy separate tickets at Napoli. Trains run to Sorrento every half hour and fares are very cheap.

This sounds like my trip only my husband and I are going in November. Thanks for all the info.

I believe it's the FM1, not the FR1.

http://www.adr.it/content.asp?Subc=1...&idMen=731

An extra benefit we found for the Roma Pss was that it came in a booklet that had a marvelous map of bus lines in the historic center. Worth a lot to us!!

My son and I were in Italy last year and traveled from Rome to Florence to Venice to Milan to Turin to Rome. We purchased a Eurorail pass for 5 days worth of unlimited train travel only in Italy. I did this without knowing any better. The next time we go, I will not buy this ahead of time. I will purchase tickets when I arrive. Buying the Eurorail pass forced me to decide my travel dates ahead of time, which was fine because I am a planning freak... The agents at the station were more than helpful. If you are like me and have a need to plan ahead of time, visit www.trenitalia.com for the timetables. When you arrive, buy your tickets ahead of time to ensure your seat.

Be advised... The high speed trains are very nice and are recommended. They cost a bit more but it is worth it.

While the Circumvesuvia train from Naples to Sorretno is convenient to the train station, it is also known for its beggars and pickpockets. The ferry is just as inexpensive, faster, and with better views. Check the "Alilauro" website to see if one leaves near when you arrive (about every 2 hrs) then you can take the trolly to the dock.

Bookmarking

You can also take the Marozzi bus from Tiburtina Station in Rome directly to Sorrento, 17.50€. It takes about 4 hours (more if the traffic is horrendous, which it probably wouldn't be in October), but it means you only handle your luggage once (no changing trains).

Jean - If you look at the Rome transportation website, www.atac.roma.it , you will see all the local trains listed as FR1, FR2, etc.

Kybourbon, the link I provided has schedules for the "Metropolitan train FM1," so I suppose it's operated by the city of Rome. Perhaps someone can tell us the difference between FR1 trains and FM1 trains.

This route map of Rome transport may help:

http://www.atac.roma.it/docunet/file...=3&rid=385

Ellenem, that site only mentions the FR trains. I'm talking about the FM1 train mentioned on the airport's website:

http://www.adr.it/content.asp?Subc=1...&idMen=731

I've only taken the FM1 back and forth between Orte and the airport, but maybe it's all the same thing.

The FM1 trains are newish white trains similar to the Malpensa Express train and not like the typical Trenitalia regional trains.

Jean - The ATAC website is the official transportation website for Rome/Lazio. It lists the train as F1 while the airport website you are linking calls it FM1. That's why some people call it FR1 while you are calling it FM1.

Well, I'm guessing they are one and the same, but it's curious that the "official" website for Rome/Lazio transportation calls it one thing and the "official" website for the Rome airports calls it something else.

I really don't recall the airport signage, probably because I already knew where to catch the train to Orte.