We will be traveling from Rome to Florence via train. As this is my first experience on the train, I am concerned. It seems crowded and difficult. Does all of the luggage need to be lifted overhead? Is there no one to help? Do the hotels offer shuttles or do you take a cab. How do senior citizens or handicaped persons manage.

Thanks for all your advice.

Lucci

No, all the luggage does not need to be lifted overhead. There are usually, if not always, compartments for luggage at the end of each car.

No, no one helps you with your luggage. You're on your own.

I suppose some hotels offer shuttles. You'll have to ask whatever hotel you're staying in. If they don't and you're not renting a car, you'll have to take a cab.

I see senior citizens on Italian trains a lot, and they seem to manage like everyone else. They usually carry one small, light suitcase, which is advisable for anyone.

I don't know the answer to the handicapped persons question - perhaps someone else has some insight into that. But I can say that Europe in general is nowhere near as handicap-friendly as the USA, IMO.

While you won't have to lift your luggage over your head, you will have to carry up three narrow steps just to get it on the train. If this is difficult, you might have one person climb the steps into the train and then have the other person lift the luggage up on to the steps so the person on the train can drag it inside.

The trains are only in the station briefly so people will be rushing to get on. The fastest train for your route is the ES. All ES tickets come with a reserved seat. You can refer to signs/monitors on the platforms that will tell you just about where your carriage will be. Once in your carriage, stow you bags in the luggage area as you enter the carriage. Smaller bags will also fit between the seats.

If you will be in Rome before you head to Florence, perhaps your Rome hotel can suggest a porter service to help you if this sounds too difficult.

I don't mean to sound insensitive, but handicapped people and seniors who aren't able-bodied enough to manage themselves without concessions made for physical disabilities, should consider taking a commercial tour, where such services are included in the overall package cost.

lucci,

How handicapped are you? Wheelchair? Walker? Cane?

If you have to go up or down a stairs look for an elevator. They are getting to be more common in train stations but they sure are inconspicuous even when they are in the middle of the platform.

As StCirq wrote everybody handles their own luggage. Pack light. If you can't carry or roll your stuff a mile and then lift it 6 feet then you have packed heavy. Plan on getting to the station at least a half hour before departure to comfortably find your train and get on board. It may be crowded but do not be intimidated. Ask someone for help if you need it.

At least some of the Rome to Florence trains are Eurostar Italia premium trains. See the other Fodor's thread on this route at http://tinyurl.com/32bhxd for more information.

Thanks for all of your generous information. I am not handicapped but AARP does consider me a senior. And I and traveling with someone in her mid 70's.
It's helpful to have an idea of what I am getting into. Tonight I have started to weigh all of my suitcases..the Tumi is 14.5 the cheapie that a friend loaned me is 12. I have a feeling those two pounds make a difference at the end of the day.

Thanks again,

Lucci

12 or 14.5 lb loaded or empty? My parents (72 and 64 years old) go around world with only carry-ons, so I bought my mom a 21" Skyway rolleraboard that weighs about 8 pounds empty.

While all luggages are best if lifted overhead - for security and keeping the aisle clear, I have seen people carrying hopeless large luggages clogging corridors.

There is no one EMPLOYED at stations to help you. Helpful local or other tourists might help you, but it is happenstance. I have helped other travelers at times.

You take a cab (or bus, or whatever) to get to the station. One hotel I stayed in Rome offered "shuttle" service - it was no more than a referral to an independent (perhaps even unlicensed?) transportation service.

Italian senior citizens use trains, but they know how to travel light and are generally accustomed to walking around to get to places than, for example, seniors in the U.S.

Some more info on trains.

DO NOT WAIT until the time of departure to buy train tickets at the station. While the trains are frequent between Rome and Florence, you may not be able to find seat or seat together on a particular train. The ticket windows have long lines, so the alternative is to buy using an vending machine -- which is not difficult to use, but I don't like trying to figure out new vending machine for the first time - I always seem to have to chase away "helpful" locals who try to help me - can't tell their intentions. I made all train arrangements at the Trenitalia ticket window at Fiumicino Rome airport - very short ticket line, and they spoke good English.

Both Rome Termini and Florence stations are dead-end stations. What this means is that the trains have to reverse the direction to get out. Consequently, they have to stay in the station for quite a long time - giving you plenty of time to get on.

The train track indication is - not necessarily predictable. You might see the track assignment 20min before the departure or will not until after the scheduled departure time - if the train is late. Don't get onto the platform until you know the track.

You need to know the TRAIN number along with the FINAL destination (for double check) to find you train and its track. Florence "Firenze" is not ES=Eurostar's final destination so the digital displays do not mention Firenze. Florence bound ES trains have either Milano, Venezia, or Bolzano as the final destination.

Once you find your train, find your car "carrozza" and you seat. You might have to move a squatter - I always seem to have to do this.

&quot;<i>Is there no one to help?</i>&quot;

Do be alert - if someone DOES offer to help it could be a pickpocket/thief. Not trying to scare you, but tourists in crowded train stations can be easy marks.

While Europe is nowhere near as handicap friendly as the US, there often is help available if you seek it out. When traveling via train with a minimally impaired companion the conductor did assist with boarding and handling luggage, but there is not a conductor in every car. If you think you will need some special assistance, arrive at the station a bit early and ask someone in uniform. I've done so and it worked

Again, many thanks. I have given up my fantasy of looking like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and will pack light!

My one suitcase-empty- is 12 lbs and with a carry-on that I now understand does not mean carry-all, I am getting the message.The train experience will be enough to pay attention to and I don't wan't to be fighting with my luggage.


From what I understand: Go early, pay attention to both the train and lurkers and enjoy.

Lucci
who is getting by with the help of her friends!

lucci - I would suggest also trying to get your empty luggage weight down - I agree with rkkwan that 12 pounds empty sounds awfully heavy. I travel with a convertible backpack/suitcase that these days usually weighs in around 20 pounds full, which would only allow for 8 pounds of stuff in your case. You may need wheels rather than a backpack, which will obviously weigh more, but I would still look around some.

Don't forget Seamus' suggestion about seeking assistance if necessary. I've seen Italian women &quot;of a certain age&quot; doing this.

You can also buy train tickets at most travel agencies. Sitting down with a travel agent near your hotel who speaks English to buy the ticket for the same price as at the station might appeal to you. Your hotel can recommend a travel agency nearby.

Purchase the tickets with seat reservations before you leave the US.

Once you know your specific train,contact your hotel concierge to see if he can arrange for a car and driver to meet your train and help with luggage.

On our last trip to Krakow the hotel sent their &quot;porter &quot; with us in the cab to the train station. He then took our bags to our compartment and stored them !!

I am not suggesting you can get this sort of service everywhere, but it's worth asking.

The hotel we are staying at is the Helvetcia&amp;Brisol in Florence. Hopefully, I can arrange for some assistance.Thanks for the suggestion. I have no idea how far thehotel is from the station. I will have so much to report on when I return around 9/24.

Grazie,grazie,grazie...

Lucci

<i> I have no idea how far the hotel is from the station. </i>

In that case you are a potential sap for the taxi rank.

Call your hotel and ask how best to get to it from the train station. If they recommend a cab then ask how much it should cost. At the taxi rank ask to go to the hotel and ask how much it will cost. Have the taxi driver write the cost on a pad of paper you will give him. If it matches you are OK. Hold him to it.

&quot;I have no idea how far the hotel is from the station.&quot;

Do you not have a guide book, with a map? If not, I suggest buying one, quickly! At the very least, you need a map. I imagine your local Barnes &amp; Noble should have Streetwise Florence and Rome.

you don't need a guide book to see how far the station is - the hotel's own website has a map . . . . .

http://www.ehi.com/Italy/Travel-IT/h...-location.html