Italy is roughly twice the size of the state of Florida, so it takes a whereas to get from one metropolis to the next. In order to actually enjoy your trip to Italy, you ought to select only a few locations or stick to one or two areas so that you won’t lose an excessive amount of time in transit. When planning your Italy itinerary, trains will probably be your primary mode of transportation. Figuring out the particulars of train journey in Italy is an important piece of your vacation.
Different types of trains in Italy
Trains in Italy are usually quick and fairly priced, making them higher than flying in most cases. Trains additionally present you with a pleasant view of the Italian countryside whereas in transit.
Different rail companies in Italy
Tren Italia is the state-owned rail system, working the bulk of the trains within the country. You can discover their site in English here.
You can additionally book tickets through Italia Rail which is an agent that books tickets on Tren Italia. They cost a small fee, however sometimes their site is simpler to make use of and the English translations are sometimes better.
For example, even on the English model of the Tren Italia site, you have to know to type in Firenze, not Florence, however Italia Rail makes use of the English variations of metropolis names.
Another option is Italo Treno. They’re a privately owned rail firm working excessive speed trains on sure routes.
Their trains have some extra perks that may be appealing. Often their costs are comparable with Tren Italia, so it’s worth looking at each for the lengthy distance, excessive speed routes.
Seat reservations
On lengthy distance trains, you should have a seat reservation. Therefore it’s best to book forward of time since there’s a small possibility they could promote out.
It’s probably a lot extra important to book forward if you’re touring by train in Italy with kids.
The trains rarely promote out, so that you could probably buy a ticket on the final minute if you want to, however costs are additionally cheaper if you book in advance. Examples of lengthy distance service would be Rome to Milan, or Florence to Venice.
Regional trains don’t have seat reservations, so they can’t promote out. Prices are additionally fixed for regional trains, so no matter when you buy your ticket, you’ll pay the same.
These aren’t as quick because the excessive speed lengthy distance trains, however they’re additionally primarily for brief journeys anyway. Examples of regional service would be Florence to Pisa, or Bologna to Parma.
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How lengthy train journey in Italy takes
The shorter distances aren’t so far, however every journey day actually provides up. Remember that you’ll want so as to add time to get to the train station and to your lodging when you arrive. This could add anywhere from half-hour to 2 hours total relying on how far you keep from the train station.
Rome to Florence: 1 hour 32 minutes
Rome to Bologna: 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes
Rome to Venice: three hours forty five minutes
Rome to Milan: three hours to three hours 30 minutes
Rome to Cinque Terre (Vernazza): three hours forty five minutes to five hours
Rome to Amalfi Coast (Salerno): 2 to three hours
There is a native bus that runs alongside the Amalfi Coast since trains don’t exit that far. For example, a bus from Salerno to Amalfi Town takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
Sometimes there are ferry choices relying in metropolis you’re going to. The Amalfi Coast bus and ferry schedules can be discovered here.
Train journey in Italy: Purchasing and validating train tickets
Since the lengthy distance train tickets are generally cheaper when bought forward of time, it’s best to buy them on-line a few weeks earlier than your journey dates utilizing one of many websites listed above.
Regional tickets are sometimes not available for buy on-line greater than a week forward of time. And since the costs are fixed for the regional trains, there’s no reason to buy them forward of time anyway.
Just get to the station early and buy a ticket from the machines. You may even switch the language on the machines to English. There are ticket home windows if you wish to talk to a person, however they might not speak a lot English.
Long distance, excessive speed train tickets don’t have to be validated because they bind you to a particular train and reserved seat. However, regional or native train tickets do want to be validated. Since you buy them for a sure route, not an exact train, it’s important to stamp your ticket within the machine earlier than getting on the train.
The newer machines are inexperienced and sort of oval-shaped, whereas the older ones are yellow and boxy. You’ll see lots of different people stamping their tickets earlier than heading out to the platforms. There are steep fines if you don’t validate your ticket, so don’t forget!
Train journey in Italy is an easy and enjoyable way to get from one metropolis to another. If you’ll be spending most of your time in cities seeing the highlights of Italy, there’s no reason to rent a car. And unless you’re going from the excessive north to the excessive south, flying will probably take longer than train travel. So sit again and benefit from the surroundings as you journey through Italy’s rail system.
Read extra about Italy:
- For insider tips from locals, pick up a copy of the Unconventional Italy Guidebook
- Why You Should Take an Early Entry Sistine Chapel and Vatican Tour
- Which Food Tour in Rome Should You Take?
- Italy Itinerary: Ideas for Planning 1 Week in Italy
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