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TRAINS IN ITALY
The rail service, called Ferrovie dello Stato (FS),
operates many different types of train. The fastest, most
comfortable service is the costly Eurostar, also called
Pendolino. Seat reservations are compulsory on this
train. On other types of train, such as the so called
Intercity, reservations are optional and cost a small amount
extra. It's worth paying in order to guarantee a seat. On
the cheapest regional trains sometimes seat reservations
aren't possible.
You can buy your ticket directly inside any train station
in Italy, Also it is possibile to buy tickets from the
automatic machines inside the stations. You can also go to
the Ferrovie dello Stato web site and buy a ticket online,
however you must be a resident in Italy to do so
Remenber that in Italy you must always validate your ticket
in the yellow stampimg machine on the platforms inside the
train stations. There officers that can be quite nasty if
they find you without a valid ticket.
All Italian cities have the main railway station located in the city center
with secondary stations located in the suburbs.
Asking for direction for the train station: "Scusi, dove
si trova la Stazione dei Treni?"
In every major city, centrally located tourist centers provide maps and
information regarding transportation, lodging, food and
entertainment. One can also purchase maps at bookstores and
newsstands.
If your are searching for a particular trip, traveling
Italy by train is not a bad option. In Italy coaches and
buses lines are numerous and frequent, but can't really
compete with the convenience and the easy way of the train.
In fact a rail ticket over a long or short distance will
normally be cheaper than a coach fare, and the journey will
be quicker and less stressful . And air travel within Italy
is far more expensive. Ferries connect the country with
Mediterranean countries like Greece, Malta,
Albania, Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia and Spain. The railway
system is owned by the state, and called Ferrovie dello
stato (abbreviated FS).
All tickets are one-way (andata) ? return is just double
the price of a single journey.
In all
Italian cities, the main railway station is located in the
city center, but secondary stations can be in other areas.
For instance, the main railway station in Rome, Termini, is
very central, but the secondary Trastevere is on the other
side of the river Tiber. Similarly, in Florence the main
station of Santa Maria Novella is in the city center,
two minutes' walk from the Duomo and other artistic
treasures, Campo di Marte, is on the opposite side of
the river Arno.
Venice, as might be expected, is a special case. Being an
island city, the railway station it's not right in the
middle of town, but at the edge of the beutiful historical
center.
There are two types of train tickets. First class seats
are more quality seats, often recline, there are fewer seats
per car, and there is more space for luggage. There is very
little difference between first and second class tickets in
Eurostar trains but a big difference in Intercity trains. On
some Premier Trains, the price of a first class ticket
includes a meal.
Second class accommodations are less expensive, but not
as spacious, as there are more seats per car. A ticket
allows you to board the train, but does not guarantee you a
seat. You must make a seat reservation to have a guaranteed
seat on the train.
For certain trains, such as fast trains or Inter City,
there's a supplement to be added to the ticket price.
In Italy, you have to purchase your train ticket before
getting on the train. It's not acceptable to buy it on the
train, and if you're found without ticket you'll be fined.
There are often long queues at the ticket office of the
railway stations. Ticket dispensing machines can luckily be
found on the platforms of train departures sometimes, but
not always.
Children pay 50% if they are under 12,
they travel free if they are under 4. There is a family
ticket which gives a free journey for every child under 12
who travels with 2 adults (any two adults paying the full
fare).
To find information and the facility
to buy online rail tickets in Italy, it's best to visit Rail
Europe for the long-established
specialists on rail travel in Europe, and on their website
you can find point-to-point rail tickets for single journeys
from one destination to another in Italy, as well as tickets
for Premier Trains and Passes (see below).
Rail Europe site serves North American residents only.
Rail Passes are
Italy Flexi Rail Card gives you any 4 days, 8 days,
or 12 days unlimited train travel in Italy in a 1 month
period.
Italy Flexi Rail Card Saver gives you any 4, 8, or 12
days unlimited train travel in a 1 month period at a great
discount if you will be traveling throughout Italy with a
friend or more.
France'n Italy Pass gives you travel in the two most
popular European countries, France and Italy. Saverpass and
Youthpass versions are also available.
Italy Rail 'n Drive gives you 3 days train and 2 days
Hertz car rental with unlimited mileage in Italy.
Note that an international license is not needed to rent a
car: you must hold a valid driver's license written in
English.
Here's the link to get the Italian Passes:
Single Country Passes: choose your country in Europe
Furthermore, there's the option of acquiring a European Rail
Pass covering other countries as well as Italy.
Multi-national passes are:
Eurailpass gives you unlimited travel in the 17 countries of
Western Europe, covering over 100,000 miles of rail network:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. There are
several options, variations to suit one's needs, and
discounts for groups of two or more and for travellers up to
26 years old.
Here's the link to get more info or purchase it online:
Multiple Country Passes: create your own pass
Europass gives you unlimited train travel in five of the
most frequently visited countries of Europe: France,
Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. You can add other
countries if you like.
Special rates are available to:
With Eurail Selectpass you can choose
any three bordering countries of the 17 Eurailpass countries
(which include Italy) in which you can unlimited travel.
Discounts for two or more people travelling together and
travellers of 26 and under apply here as well.
Here's the link to get more info or purchase it online:
Eurail Selectpass (3 countries), as low as $243
It is possible to buy two types of train tickets:
First class, or Second Class. The First Class
seats obviusly are better quality seats, recline, with fewer
seats per car, and with more space for luggage.
Second class accommodations are cheaper but with less
space and less quality.
To buy
online rail tickets in Italy, it's best to visit
Rail Europe for
the long-established specialists on rail travel in Europe,
and on their website you can find point-to-point rail
tickets for single journeys from one destination to another
in Italy, as well as tickets for Premier Trains and Passes
(see below).
Rail Europe site serves North
American residents only.
Rail Passes are
Italy Flexi Rail Card
gives 4 days, 8 days, or 12 days unlimited train travel in
Italy in a 1 month period.
Italy Flexi Rail Card Saver gives 4, 8, or 12 days
unlimited train travel in a 1 month period at a great
discount if you will be traveling throughout Italy with a
friend or more.
France'n Italy Pass gives travel in the two most
popular European countries, France and Italy. Saverpass and
Youthpass versions are also available.
Italy Rail 'n Drive gives 3 days train and 2 days
Hertz car rental with unlimited mileage in Italy.
Here's the link to get the Italian Passes:
Single Country Passes: choose your country in Europe
Furthermore, there's the option
of acquiring a European Rail Pass covering other countries
as well as Italy. Multi-national passes are:
Eurailpass gives you unlimited travel in the 17 countries of
Western Europe, covering over 100,000 miles of rail network:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. There are
several options, variations to suit one's needs, and
discounts for groups of two or more and for travellers up to
26 years old.
Here's the link to get more info or purchase it online:
Multiple Country Passes: create your own pass
Europass gives you unlimited train travel in five of the
most frequently visited countries of Europe: France,
Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. You can add other
countries if you like.
Special rates are available to:
With Eurail Selectpass you can choose any three bordering
countries of the 17 Eurailpass countries (which include
Italy) in which you can unlimited travel.
Discounts for two or more people travelling together and
travellers of 26 and under apply here as well.
Here's the link to get more info or purchase it online:
Eurail Selectpass (3 countries), as low as $243
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