Which is a better value? An Italy Eurail pass for $265/person or buying tickets day of at the ticket counter? We're only traveling:
1) Rome-Florence
2) Florence-Lucca (commuter train)
3) Florence-Rome
If we get the Eurail we'd also have to buy ticket ourselves, Lucca to Florence
I've always gotten a eurail pass so I don't have any idea what it costs to get a train ticket day of...
Thanks!
A rail pass for Italy is usually never a good idea. You'll still pay a 10 euro fee for each leg of the journey on top of the cost of the pass. Just buy point to point tickets. If you know the dates you'll be traveling you can buy tickets in advance and save a lot of money. If not, just buy them at the ticket counter on the day of travel. From Rome to Florence the base ticket will cost 43 euros if purchased at the desk. That's $57. So two of those plus a regional train ticket should cost you 7.20 or on the faster train it will cost 12.40. This is much less than the 265 you'd pay for a pass the reservation fees are already included.
Basically, just buy them at the station or online prior to the trip.
Donna
Thanks!
Our trip is in 5 weeks, if I buy online, is that enough time for the tickets to arrive, or is it an electronic ticket?
Thanks y'all!
You don't have to go back via Florence to get to Rome. You could try the coastal route, for variety, with a connection at Pisa. The Eurail Italy pass (from $210 per person for 3 travel days) is not a money-saver for that short route. It's pretty easy to do the comparison math for that short trip using the map at http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/italy-rail-passes. We estimate about $140 to buy 2nd-class tickets as you go, depending on exchange rate, or cheaper if you book the longer, reserved trains in advance.
Electronic print-at-home tickets. Easy!! We booked Rome-Naples, Naples-Florence, Florence-Venice online and did day-of tickets at the station for Naples-Sorrento and Florence-Pisa trips.
Check trenitalia.com for buying advance tickets. You'll get an eticket via email within seconds. Printt it out and you are good to go.
If you decide to buy tickets day of, leave plenty of time for the long lines at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, last month the kiosks were closed for a time due to scammers harassing patrons at the machines.
