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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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