Our trip is almost here and I have a some questions/concerns. We are traveling to Italy between May 28 & June 9. 1. The Booking Voucher for the Vatican states "visitors must present an identity document". What is really needed an original or a copy; driver's license or passport? 2. Is it common to tip a private tour guide? I have a gal booked for Ancient Rome. I probably don't need to tip a Tours by Roberto type tour. 3. I have already booked train travel, but still need to make bus reservations to get to the train station, i.e. bus from Siena to Florence to catch the train to Venice. We are also planning to take the bus from Rome to Siena. Should I make those bus reservations in advance through the Sena site? Do advance reservations for the bus work like the train (PNR number)? I am concerned as we will be doing some of our bus travel around the June 2 Republic Day holiday. Is this a big deal?
4. Does anyone know what the approximate taxi fare should be between Siena and Monteriggioni? Thanks to this forum for making me feel like a seasoned travel before leaving the states!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
1) just take your drivers license. They usually don't ask for I.D. but on the off chance they do a driver's license will be fine. 2) There is no need to tip but you can if you wish. 3) Can't help with buses. 4) Sorry, cant help with that either. Donna
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
Guida, why not take the train from Siena to Florence? That way you're already in the station for the next train.
Posted by
OP
Fenton
18 posts
I think I read that the bus was faster and the stations were next to each other? Am I wrong on this? I'm sure I could still book the train if that's the better way to go.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10719 posts
In Florence the bus and train station are next to each other.
Posted by
St Louis
411 posts
It's about fifteen kilometers from Siena to Monteriggioni, thought that would vary depending on where you are in Siena and where you are going in Monteriggioni I would say it's going to be an expensive ride. In terms of bus or train from Siena it depends on several factors. Where are you staying in Siena? The bus departs from Plaza Gramasci in the historic center, the train station is on the outskirts of town and you'll probably end up taking a taxi or bus to the train station. In Florence it's a short walk from the SMN train station to the bus station.
Posted by
OP
Fenton
18 posts
Thank you all for your help. Maggie...we are staying near the Duomo in Sienna. I plan to take the bus from Rome so we'll be dropped at the Plaza Gramasci as you mentioned. I think I'll look again at taking the train from Siena to Florence; but seems like the bus would work since you and Andrea concur on the location of the stations. Donna...thanks for the heads up on the ID's for the Vatican.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA
257 posts
Guida, FYI, the bus from Plaza Gramasci to Siena train station only take about seven minutes.