We're a senior couple spending 5 weeks in Italy, flying in and out of Rome (only nonstops I could find). One night in Rome, train to Venice for 14 nights, Lucca for 17 nights, back to Rome for 3 nights before flying home. How doable are trains/bus as transportation and suggestions? Thank you!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7234 posts
Your whole trip is easily done by train
Use the Italian station names
Roma Termini
Venezia S Lucia
Firenze SM Novella
Lucca
Use the official train site to book tickets
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23642 posts
For your schedule, train is the only way to go. A car would be a serious handicap especially in Venice. If it was my trip, I would fly into Venice and come home from Rome. Probably cheaper and more convenient and less stressful. Two weeks is long time, IMO, in Venice. I would opt for Lake Como and perhaps a couple days in Milano.
What are your travel dates? Good luck.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1147 posts
Agreed. Easy by train and a car would be an expensive burden.
You'll want to take the fast trains between big cities - these come with assigned seats on a specific train. The earlier you buy the cheaper the tickets but you're trading economy for flexibility. Since you're not taking a fast train the same day you're flying you should be able to decide when you want to fly and pre-buy your tickets if you want to.
The state train company is Trenitalia - they run fast trains and local ones. https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
.Italo is a private company that only runs fast trains. The service between the two is pretty similar. https://www.italotreno.it/en
Local trains called regionale tickets are always the same price - just buy them when you need them. This includes the train from Florence to Lucca which is not a fast train.
Download the Trenitalia app to check schedules, buy tickets and track trains in real time.
Really good general train information here: https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-italy.htm
Have a great trip!
=Tod
Posted by
5107 posts
Getting from place to place will obviously be train, but while you are in Lucca you may want to do a short rental, if only a day. You will exhaust the public transport day trips you can do.
Posted by
North Italy
395 posts
Your trip sounds great - time to relax and really experience the places you are staying in.
Lucca is ideally placed for day trips by train: Pisa, Florence, Pistoia, Livorno, La Spezia, Massa/Carrara, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Montecatini Terme...
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA
15 posts
Thank you all for your great information and comments. Italy is probably our favorite country, and have travelled from the Lakes to Pompei, including driving through the hill towns. This time we wanted to stay long enough in our favorite places to feel like we're there, and taking some day trips. We like direct flights when possible, and only found nonstops between SFO and Rome. But, I think it's all good. Thanks again! Ciao!
Posted by
146 posts
You might already have this, but as seniors you can get the Trenitalia senior pass on their app. Many trains have the senior discount but you have to be registered. It’s called CARTA FRECCIA.
Posted by
Los Angeles
980 posts
I love the idea of Venice for two weeks and am intrigued by it. I think this is the way to see Venice. I imagine that you can enjoy it on your terms and not have to battle the tourists. Which of the six sestieri are you going to stay in?
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA
15 posts
CaliMom, we're staying in San Polo. Found a place called Venice Dream House, Rialto. Love Venice, so beautiful to walk around the neighborhoods. Have even kayaked in the Grand Canal. Love the food!