My husband and I are currently planning a trip to Europe. Two of our best timed train options have connections with 15 minute time frames.
Both of these feel stressful and potentially unrealistic to me, but the other options are less desirable and earlier/later.
Is this something that would be possible to do at either station or is it not worth the risk?
Don't try it if you have never been through these stations.
Only natives and seasoned travelers who have been through those stations and know the ropes attempt to make those connections
If you miss your connection, you'll get put on the next train on to your destination - assuming you were trying to make it. You have reserved seats on all of these trains, so you don't have to clamor to get a seat like you would on a regional train.
Check the schedules. If there are other trains on to Salerno after yours that you would get you there at a reasonable time, then don't worry about it.
Fifteen minutes should be plenty of time if you don't dwaddle. Use the bathroom on the train - don't expect to use it at the station.
If you will have a working smart phone, install the Trenit app on it. Then you can find out the platform information for the next train from you phone before you even get off the first train. And you can confirm that the train you are on is on schedule.
Sometimes the next train is on an adjacent platform and you just cross over and get off one train and on to another - that has happened to me a few times. Sometimes you have to take stairs down and under the tracks (look for an elevator, up at least). Cross your fingers.
I just counted 8 direct trains from Florence SMN to Salerno on a random May weekday between 8 am and 7 pm. No train changes and they are all fast Freccia trains. I count 7 going from Salerno to Rome Termini direct Freccias. Why do you want trains with connections when there are so many direct ones?
If you must transfer, start getting ready to get off the first train as soon as you've left the next-to-last stop. Walk through the train to get as far forward as you can and line up to get off. Find the platform for your next train on the departures board. If you are running out of time, get on any car of the train and walk through to your car.
But like Sam, I was confused by your question since there are direct trains. If your "best timed options" are preferable, it seems to me that 15 minutes in Naples or Rome (Termini?) is enough if you prepare and don't dawdle.
The Freccia trains (and most Intercity and regional trains as well) have a display onboard that shows the track number for connecting trains. Find your train on the display and head directly to that track. The Freccia trains arrive on the center tracks at these 2 stations (Roma Termini and Napoli Centrale), so you shouldn't have far to walk for your second Freccia train. If your first train is on time or even a few minutes late, 15 minutes should be no problem. If your first train is so late that it prevents you to catching the second train, you will be rebooked at no cost. Also check the coach number on your second ticket while waiting to exit the first train so that you already know which coach to board on the second train.
We took a direct Frecciarossa train from Salerno to Rome with no train change. While we stopped at Naples, we never got off. We did the same trip in reverse. I think you might look into a direct Frecca train at least on the Rome-Salerno leg and forget the IC.
15 minutes is actually a lot of time to get from one train to another. Just know your train number and track, and double check the board when you get off. A lot of fast trains actually have video displays on board that show other train departures/connections as you arrive. I would not worry.
If you download the TrenItalia app, you can easily look up track #'s and times while on your journey. Youll know if the train you're on and the one you need to connect with are running on time and you'll know on which track you'll arrive and from where the connection will leave. But ALWAYS check the schedule boards in the station. ALWAYS. 15 minutes is not unrealistic unless you have mobility problems. I've had shorter connection times quite often and never missed making them.
I have my ticket from Rome to Salerno on May 9. It is a direct, no changing train connection. It is easy to find the direct connections when you do a search. I purchased my ticket from Trenitalia site.
I always do a direct if at all possible. Even though I'm familiar with Italian trains after 4 trips (upcoming is #5) I find it much more relaxing to be able to settle in and enjoy the trip so I do understand the stressful aspect especially if this is a first time using the trains.
Thanks for your responses, everyone.
For those who are asking why we are doing a connection and not correct - we are traveling in late August and need to be in Salerno in time for an 11:40 ferry. In order to do that the only two options have connections. One leaves much earlier and has ~1 hour connection, the other 15 minutes. Trying to decide if I can take the later one and it seems like it really is a mixed bag of feedback!
So you're looking at the 6.55 from Florence arriving/departing Rome at 8.43/8.58. If you follow the advice (mine and others), you should be able to make the connection without problems.
If it is critical that you get to Salerno by 10:30 to make your ferry, suggest you take the 6:10 from SMN. You just have to roll out of bed 45 minutes earlier. Otherwise you'll spend the whole ride to Rome fretting that you are on schedule. Besides, you will save 2 EUR pp :-)
Last fall I had an EIGHT minute connection in Germany in Stuttgart. Everyone said "no problem" and then our train was five minutes late. Many people on our train go running to the next track to Munich. I get there, and I'm looking for my car, and I'm pretty sure the track person was yelling "GET ON!" in German. But we made it.
