Hi all -
Unfortunately the trains that go straight from Pisa to Monterosso (where we are staying) are sold out for July 7. My options are to change trains in La Spezia or Sarzana. Which is more crowded? Do the cruise ships use one vs. the other? Since we will have luggage we are hoping to get on before the hordes. Thanks -
Judy
Sold out??? When?
Check again.
https://www.lefrecce.it/B2CWeb/search.do?parameter=searchOutputViewer&cFID=8cLmtxGoxtTB
La Spezia is where you would change trains, if necessary.
These are among the trains that were only recently added for purchase past June 11. While the direct departure at 13:42 is not currently on sale, the 11:42 is. If you really prefer the later train, then I would look again next week.
Hi Laura and Roberto,
Yes, the train that leaves Pisa 13:42 Pisa arriving Monterosso at 14:52 on July 7 appears to be sold out. (I was hoping to avoid changing in La Spezia because I heard it was a crowded nightmare.) Laura, yes there is an 11:42 am train and I guess I will take that train but will have to leave Siena pretty early to get to Pisa by 11:42. Do you think there's any chance that the Pisa 13:42 train will add tickets?? Not sure why it's sold out so soon. Thanks.
Judy
Hi Judy. The message you are seeing for the 13:42 train is misleading; 99% chance that train is not sold out; the computer system just has not been updated to allow ticket sales yet, and the 'sold out' message is a generic message. However, note that the discount for buying in advance is negligible, and there is huge capacity on this route, I suggest you just wait and buy your tix at any station in Italy at your convenience on the day of travel or day before. Also, no need to avoid La Spezia station; very small station / easy to change trains. Enjoy your trip!
Judy,
As the others have mentioned, it's highly unlikely that the train is sold out. Also as mentioned, the savings on that route with advance purchase tickets will be very insignificant as some of the trains you'll be using are Regionale and there are no discounts for those (nor do they sell out).
I noticed a departure on 7 July from Siena at 11:41, arriving Monterosso at 14:52 (time 3H:11M, 2 changes at Empoli and Pisa Centrale). The first two segments of that are Regionale, so just as easy to buy tickets locally, perhaps when you arrive in Siena. However, DON'T forget to validate them prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or you'll risk hefty fines. The last segment is direct from Pisa Centrale to Monterosso, so you wouldn't have to worry about changes in either either La Spezia or Sarzana. Base fare (second class) on the final segment is only €12 so I wouldn't bother with advance purchase tickets. Just buy locally either from a Kiosk or a staffed ticket office.
One other point to mention is that even if you were changing trains at La Spezia, it's not likely that the cruise ship hordes would be much of a problem in the early afternoon, as most of them would either already be in one of the five towns, or heading in the opposite direction back to the ship.
