My husband loves beaches and decided to visit Viareggio while we are in Italy. We will be going in August (I know it will be hot) and flying into Rome. We would like to take the train directly from the airport to Viareggio and then ultimately to the hotel. Can we catch a train from the airport or will we need to take a train to Rome and then transfer to another train that will take us to Viareggio?

You must take the "Leonardo da Vinci" airporter train nonstop to Roma Termini Station (service every 30 minutes; 32 minutes travel time), then connect to a Eurostar-City train (ES-City) direct to Viareggio. Allow at least 20 minutes to connect (and for delays in arrival at Roma Termini). You'll be sold two tickets: one for the airporter train (unreserved seating); a second for the reserved seat on the ES-City train. Second class on the ES-City train is fine for most people. If you have lots of heavy luggage, you might consider taking first class on this long-distance train. The ES-City train usually has eight second-class, and two first-class, railcars. Buy the tickets at the airport train station ticket windows (or at the travel agency across the hall, which also sells train tickets).

www.ferroviedellostato.it

Is the train station in Viareggio open again? That's where the horrible train crash/fire was at the end of last month.

Yes, it's open again. Unfortunately, the area around the Station will look awful for some time. Tragically, the death toll has now reached 28.

NOTE: In addition to the ES-City trains between Roma Termini and Viareggio, there is also one daily Intercity (IC) train and one daily ES-Fast train between these cities. Fares are slightly different for each train category. All these trains have automatic seat reservations concurrent with ticket purchase. The IC and ES-Fast trains depart in the late afternoon.

GAC gave you all the info you need, I'm here to say Viareggio and the surrounding areas are great and you'll have a fantastic time. I suggest you check out the official tourism site to find info on events and just about anything you might need,
http://bit.ly/98rKG

Thank you so much for the information. Now that we are getting down to the home stretch, I'm starting to have more details that need to be finalized. We get in around 8am so we will have plenty of time to get to Viareggio. Thank you!

Please report back. I will be curious to here about your experience at an Italian beach resort in August.

Your ES-City train departs from Roma Termini at 12:02 and arrives in Viareggio at 15:15. Fare per person is 38.50 second class or 53.70 first class. Add 11 Euros for the "Leonardo da Vinci" airporter train to reach Roma Termini. If your plane gets in around 8 a.m., you should have enough time to make your way in leisurely fashion to Roma Termini to board your train to Viareggio. The ES-City train does not have a restaurant car, so remember to buy some panini and bibite at Roma Termini Station to bring with you on the train. There is also a good cafeteria on the Mezzanine Level of the Station (abover the ticket counters) if you prefer something more "substantial." Your ticket for the ES-City train will specify your seat and railcar numbers.

jecac: I read in another posting that you will be travelling in a family group of 5, with one child not over the age of 12. You should know that you may qualify for the "Familia" fare, which would save you a bunch of money on Italian trains. You may also qualify for the "Amica" advance purchase fare on the ES-City train. The "Amica" fare must be booked no later than midnight of the day prior to train departure, and both fares are capacity controlled. Because you will be travelling during August, the odds of getting either of these fares is slim. Read more about these fares in:


http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD


http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

If the hyperlinks don't work, go to www.ferroviedellostato.it
Then "Trenitalia" then "Promotions"

Even if you don't qualify for either of these discount fares, your 12-year old travels at half price. Just remember to specify this when purchasing the tickets.