Is it easy to travel between Italian cities on the train? I'd like to fly in and out of Rome and make travels to Florence and the coast for a few days. Is this a possibility without a car? Is second class ok for travel or should we pay the extra for first class? We're trying to figure out if we can get around Italy on a tight budget and still have a good time. Thanks

Yes it's very easy to travel in train... The trip from Rome to Florence would usually take between 2-3 hours... second class is ok, but preferably you should take the Eurostar (it doesn't make that much stops and it's better than the others). Enjoy your trip!

I agree that its very easy to travel by train. I flew in and out of Rome and took the Eurotrain from there to Florenece to Venice to Verona to Milan to Pisa then back to Rome. We bought a book of passes good on the Euro-rail and it was easy. Economy class was fine...and its nice to see the contry side as you go!<BR>

Does the train travel to the Amalfi Coast? Which towns along the coast are accessible via the train?

Tina...<BR>I just found this website, check it out maybe it can help:<BR>http://www.europeonrail.com

Below is a past post for train timetables & fares. Eurostar (ES) and InterCity (IC) are the best but more expensive but you can get seat reservations on them also fast & non-stop. To get to the Amalfi Coast you must either train to Salerno and then bus in. Or go to Naples and switch to the Circumvesuviana (CS) commuter train to Sorrento and then bus in. For Naples-Sorrento info go to http://twenj.com click-on "Rome" and then "Pompeii" at the bottom of the sidebar. One minor mistake the directions at the Naples train station to the CS train are from the *Centrale* and not the Garibaldi station, actually the _same_ station just on different levels. It's a Pompeii daytrip but that same train goes to Sorrento. Regards, Walter<BR>&lt;&lt;&lt;GO TO www.trenitalia.com/ click-on "English", (Also later check-out the other click-ons "Agencies, Special Offers, On Line Ticket Office etc) Now type-in your 2 cities (In English), type-in your "dates & time" and then click-on "Search".    Once in the timetables to find the fares and connection info, to the left of your train under the "Select" column either click-on the train's # (1,2,3,...) or the "red square/triangle". If your fare *isn't* listed go to the bottom of that page click-on "Fares" and the next page under "Seats Number" type-in number of seats you want *most likely* next to the "Standard Fare" line. Choose "seat reservations" and your "Class" (1st/2nd) if they are options and click-on "Fares". I haven't done it but you can now buy your tickets on-line directly thru their website (when it works.    <BR>  &lt;&lt;&lt;Now _sometimes_ only with the *smaller* cities/towns, when you click-on "Search" it brings you to another option where either or both the "Arrival" or "Departure" stations has a "pull-down" of 2 or more choices of stations, *there is a glitch here* and you will just go around it circles unable to choose one, you will keep getting a "pop-up" on screen. So just choose your station and hit the back button and start your search again but this time *type-in* the specfic station name. Example: Verona will give you 3 different stations just go back and type-in (in my case) Verona Porta Nuova&gt;&gt;&gt;.<BR><BR>

I agree that train travel is very comfortable on ES. I also enjoyed a sleeper train from Paris to Genoa. I didn't have to have an hotel room that night.

Italian trains are fine. 2nd class is very acceptable. Remember to validate the train ticket at the station before boarding the train. Each station has time clock punch machines as you walk toward the track for the train. Without validation you are subject to a substantial fine. Also when you book your reservation, also book your car and seat number. Without this you will be standing all the way to your destination. There is a small additional charge for a reserved seat but well worth it.

check out www.trenitalia.com<BR>this is the website for Italian train service. trains are an easy way to get from one city to another; between Rome and Florence take the Eurostar - second class is fine. In a city without a car is ok, but depending on what coast you go to, getting around could be a litte more difficult or at least slower.<BR>