Train travel in Italy
Jan 14th, 2004, 06:23 PM
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Train travel in Italy
We have scheduled flights for Italy in late September for 16 days - our first time to
Italy. We are flying into Venice and out of Rome. We have recently thought about the possibility of doing our whole trip via train. One concern I have, though, if we want to visit a town for one day, is there a place to park our luggage? For example, if we want to leave Venice in a.m. and go to Verona for the day, then leave Verona and go to Florence. Also, I wonder if it would be too restrictive since it seems that reservations need to be made in advance. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Italy. We are flying into Venice and out of Rome. We have recently thought about the possibility of doing our whole trip via train. One concern I have, though, if we want to visit a town for one day, is there a place to park our luggage? For example, if we want to leave Venice in a.m. and go to Verona for the day, then leave Verona and go to Florence. Also, I wonder if it would be too restrictive since it seems that reservations need to be made in advance. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Jan 14th, 2004, 06:33 PM
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In my opinion, this is a problem of "daytripping" in transit - - just as you have described - - moving forward, rather than returning to sleep to the place where you arose.
Train schedules are NOT too restrictive for planning an entire trip in Italy. Bt you need to do some "basing", and see towns from there, or perhaps choose towns which you'd like to see and spend the night in.
I wouldn't be too suprised if others have a different perspective on this - - especially those who do their travel as backpackers, perhaps.
Best wishes,
Rex
Train schedules are NOT too restrictive for planning an entire trip in Italy. Bt you need to do some "basing", and see towns from there, or perhaps choose towns which you'd like to see and spend the night in.
I wouldn't be too suprised if others have a different perspective on this - - especially those who do their travel as backpackers, perhaps.
Best wishes,
Rex
Jan 15th, 2004, 07:06 AM
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It is possible to do, but you must just be prepared for the unknown.
Your example: Venice to Florence with a stop in Verona. There's a number of ways to accomplish this that may or may not require reservations. Also, many, but not all, train stations have baggage checkrooms.
If you do the entire trip on IC trains, no reservations are required, the cost is less, and you could just take the next IC train to arrive. But the train will make more stops, taking longer, and you may have to search for a seat. You could purchase a first class seat which would be less crowded but still unreserved. If you reserve a seat on an IC train, the reservation is separate, so if you took a different IC train, your ticket would still be good, but not your seat reservation. You'd have to search for a seat.
Most Italians would say to take the IC train for the Venice-Verona leg, since the cost is less and the time differential small compared to an ES train.
For the Verona-Florence leg, you might take a faster ES train. The ES train would cost a bit more and is automatically reserved. If you change your plans you must re-reserve.
Years ago we decided to break our five-hour train ride from Venice to Torino with a stop in Verona. We arrived in Verona at about 10AM (IC train), checked our bags at the station, had a lovely day there (vowed to return), and took a 5PM (IC) on to Torino. We had checked the times of trains before we left the train station so we knew our options as we toured Verona.
Really, just review the schedules, see what will work for you, and decide if you are ready to deal with a search for seats.
Your example: Venice to Florence with a stop in Verona. There's a number of ways to accomplish this that may or may not require reservations. Also, many, but not all, train stations have baggage checkrooms.
If you do the entire trip on IC trains, no reservations are required, the cost is less, and you could just take the next IC train to arrive. But the train will make more stops, taking longer, and you may have to search for a seat. You could purchase a first class seat which would be less crowded but still unreserved. If you reserve a seat on an IC train, the reservation is separate, so if you took a different IC train, your ticket would still be good, but not your seat reservation. You'd have to search for a seat.
Most Italians would say to take the IC train for the Venice-Verona leg, since the cost is less and the time differential small compared to an ES train.
For the Verona-Florence leg, you might take a faster ES train. The ES train would cost a bit more and is automatically reserved. If you change your plans you must re-reserve.
Years ago we decided to break our five-hour train ride from Venice to Torino with a stop in Verona. We arrived in Verona at about 10AM (IC train), checked our bags at the station, had a lovely day there (vowed to return), and took a 5PM (IC) on to Torino. We had checked the times of trains before we left the train station so we knew our options as we toured Verona.
Really, just review the schedules, see what will work for you, and decide if you are ready to deal with a search for seats.
Jan 15th, 2004, 07:16 AM
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Hi lori
There is a left luggage office at the Verona Porta Nuova train station. See http://www.romatermini.it/indexf.cfm
For Venice to Verona to Florence, you can get your tickets at the station the day before you plan to go, unless you are thinking of traveling on a weekend or holiday.
It's only a 1 1/2 hr trip to Verona on either IC or ES*. You will not need seat reservations on the IC.
You will probably want to take the ES* from Verona to Florence.
See www.trenitalia.com/en for schedules and prices (usually).
There is a left luggage office at the Verona Porta Nuova train station. See http://www.romatermini.it/indexf.cfm
For Venice to Verona to Florence, you can get your tickets at the station the day before you plan to go, unless you are thinking of traveling on a weekend or holiday.
It's only a 1 1/2 hr trip to Verona on either IC or ES*. You will not need seat reservations on the IC.
You will probably want to take the ES* from Verona to Florence.
See www.trenitalia.com/en for schedules and prices (usually).
Jan 15th, 2004, 08:12 AM
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Main Italian stations (and many smaller ones) have left luggage offices, "Deposito Bagaglio" (spelling from memory) which are open all day and even all night at the biggest stations. Trains on most main lines are frequent - often hourly - so it's easy to stop for a day or half day before continuing. Trains are busiest around weekends but at other times, seat reservations are not needed except for Eurostars. Eurostar trains are generally less frequent and it may be quicker to get the next train rather than wait for one which is slightly faster. On Intercity trains, it's often easier to sit in an empty seat rather than walk through carriages to find your reserved seat.
