Changing trains at Viareggio

Without checking schedules I will take your word for it. It is a little tight but probably doable since it may be no more than walking across the platform. Personally I would not buy tickets on-line since they are all regionale trains, no discount, and the online ticket come with more restrictions as to use. I would buy in the station as needed. If your are short on time, I would opt for an earlier train. Trains are frequent.

Would you mind sharing the trains and times? Looking at the schedule, regional trains from Viareggio are very frequent on Saturday in October. I see 10 regional trains or connections in the morning that will get you to Florence SMN by 10 am. If the connection is by regional train, you can take the next one if you miss a connection.

The train from north will likely arrive at track #4, while the one to Florence will likely leave from track #5 or #6; it could be on the same platform or a short walk through the underground passage. It can be done if the incoming train is on time, and they will probably hold the departing one if the incoming one is delayed a few minutes - you are not likely to be the only ones doing the transfer. If the incoming train has a heavy delay you will have to wait for the following connection.

I don’t from which source you’re getting your train info. I find the best source is TrenItalia.com or the TrenItalia app. I just checked travel on Saturday 3 October. There is an intercity 🚄that leaves Monterosso at 9:07 with a connection in Pisa with 15 minutes between trains. The Regionale Veloce 🚂leaves Pisa at 10:32 and arrives in Florence at 11:32. Current super saver fare is €16.50/pax.

janet,

It would probably be a better idea to use the train solution suggested by Phillip in the previous reply. It's faster by about half an hour, arrives earlier and is a bit cheaper than the Regionale solution you mentioned. As this train uses an Intercity for one segment, it will only be cheaper if you buy soon and get a Super Economy ticket. Note that S.E. tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable once purchased.

As you're renting a car and especially renting in Florence, I assume you're aware of the usual potentially expensive caveats regarding rental cars in Italy? If not it would be prudent to become familiar with those.

I think arriving in Florence at either 11:32 or 11:50 is cutting it way too close if the rental car location closes at noon. I would either take an earlier train or rent the car at another location, such as in La Spezia or Pisa. Renting at the Florence airport is third option, but that would require a taxi ride or tram/shuttle bus from SMN to the airport rental car location.

First of all there is no need to per purchase tickets on regional trains. Regional trains are commuter trains, much like the NYC subway. No reserved seats, like in high speed trains (which work more like airplanes).

Having said that, given your specific circumstances, since you plan to rent a car upon arrival in Florence, the best option for you is to change your rental car reservations and pick up your car at La Spezia, only 20 min from Monterosso.

Take a train to La Spezia Centrale, then a taxi to the rental car office of your choice. Most rental car offices in La Spezia are near the cruise port, a couple of miles from the train station. From there it’s very easy to take the freeway (A12) toward Livorno and then at Viareggio, switch to the A11 to Florence.

If, for whatever reasons, picking up at La Spezia does not work, there are rental agencies for all majors (Europcar, Hertz, AvisBudget) at Viareggio, Pisa Airport, or even Lucca.

Florence is the last place I would rent a car. Getting out of Florence traffic is not ideal and there are lots of traffic restrictions. La Spezia should be your first choice for rental pick up. Florence your last.

Philip, we’re traveling on Saturday October 12. I checked the train you’re talking about. The times are ideal, but there are no seats left according to Trenitalia (as well as the other train apps I have). We have found a Hertz rental company 8 minutes by taxi from the Florence SMN station that is open until 1pm. We bought our train tickets. Hoping it works out. :)
Thank you all for your replies. We are renting the car in Florence because we’ll then be driving south to our rented villa in the Chianti area for a week. We plan to take day trips through the countryside. Will return our car and spend our last 5 days in Florence itself.
So excited!!

If you were to miss the tight connection in Viareggio that goes by way of Lucca, there's another direct regional train departing at 10:30 that goes by way of Pisa and arrives at SMN at 12:07. Your pre-purchased ticket should also be good for that train, so now you have a backup plan.