Trains: Florence to Rome & Rome to Naples
Apr 21st, 2010, 03:31 PM
#1
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Trains: Florence to Rome & Rome to Naples
Will be in Italy in August. I'm wondering if it's necessary to reserve seats in advance for either of these routes, if we'd like to be sure to get on around specific times -- or whether it's safe just to walk on at any time. I don't think we care if we're first or second class, although I'm curious if others feel it makes a difference. In both cases we'd probably want to leave mid-morning. Thanks.
Apr 21st, 2010, 03:52 PM
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Not all Italian trains give you reserved seats, so I assume you mean the Eurostar (or perhaps another fast train ICPlus train? I forget whether those trains are reserved or not). It probably depends on the day and time - like a Friday afternoon might be really busy. You can try to predict which trains might be full and which not but sometimes you can't. If you really want specific trains on specific days, you should probably book them in advance. Personally, I would book them after I got to Italy a few days in advance.
There should be plenty of trains between those cities anyway so even if you could not get on the exact train or type of train you wanted there should be plenty of other options. At worst you take an IC train that's a little slower.
There should be plenty of trains between those cities anyway so even if you could not get on the exact train or type of train you wanted there should be plenty of other options. At worst you take an IC train that's a little slower.
Apr 21st, 2010, 04:23 PM
#5
>>>Not all Italian trains give you reserved seats<<<
Almost all Italian trains (AV,ES,ICPlus,IC) are now reserved seat only. The only trains that aren't are the slow R trains and you can't reserve seats on those trains.
The AV/ES (fastest trains) train between Florence/Rome is only a 90 minute ride. 1st cl is 62€ and 2nd is 44€. The difference is 4 seats across versus 3 across. Even 4 seats across is more rome than economy on an airplane. Rome/Naples AV/ES is 1 hour (44€ 2nd and 57€ 1st). Usually two AV/ES trains per hour on these routes. The prices are from the Italian rail company Trenitalia's website which I believes is discounted 5% so expect to pay a bit more walkup. The website will not process US credit cards.
Almost all Italian trains (AV,ES,ICPlus,IC) are now reserved seat only. The only trains that aren't are the slow R trains and you can't reserve seats on those trains.
The AV/ES (fastest trains) train between Florence/Rome is only a 90 minute ride. 1st cl is 62€ and 2nd is 44€. The difference is 4 seats across versus 3 across. Even 4 seats across is more rome than economy on an airplane. Rome/Naples AV/ES is 1 hour (44€ 2nd and 57€ 1st). Usually two AV/ES trains per hour on these routes. The prices are from the Italian rail company Trenitalia's website which I believes is discounted 5% so expect to pay a bit more walkup. The website will not process US credit cards.
Apr 21st, 2010, 06:23 PM
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On the "fast" trains I'd go 2nd cl, on regional trains I'd go 1st cl. When you get to Italy ( if you know your schedule) I'd book the tickets on one of the ticket machines at a station, or you can get them at any travel agent who displays the trenitalia logo. Slowtrav.com has a good section on train travel in Italy.
