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Eurail Pass / Trenitalia / Transit Guidance

Posted by on

Hi All - 2 questions and sorry to bug you (but thanks for your help!)

Sorry if something similar has already been posted in prior messages - I can't figure out how to search older posts.

Question 1:
What is the board's consensus "best option" for travelling within only Italy? Is there a 'travelling through Italy' for dummies that I can find? Does Rick's book provide detailed info on getting around? (I got a Lonely Planet book for Christmas (i know, i know -- the shame... but it was the thought that counts, right??) and it doesn't give a very detailed oversight and training through the country.

2nd Question:
Eurail has the 'One Country Pass' that allow us to purchase the "3 Days of Travel" option to travel on (I assume) the high-speed rail for the length that it runs towards your destination. The website also allows you to book reservations, choose transfer points, etc. Seems really handy; will cost my wife and I about $411 total. Is this the way to go? It seems to include transfers and will get us from A-to-B-to-C and to D pretty easily, it seems. Or do you go the Trenitalia route (website seems clunky) and book each leg separately?

Our itinerary takes us from:
Venice->Vernazza (Long Train Ride)
Vernazza->Florence (Short Train)
Florence through Tuscany via rented car
Tuscany->Rome (Short Train from car drop-off)

Do we even need a high-speed rail pass or since most trips are relatively short by train, just book each separately?

Posted by
1092 posts

Rick's Italy and Europe Through the Back Door books both provide a lot of detail on rail travel and other transport options in Italy. Highly recommended reading. Most of us would even say required. Another great resource is Man in Seat 61, a website dedicated to train travel with every detail you ever could want to know.

The Eurail price you quote is at least double what it would cost to buy full price tickets for those three trips. And if you choose to buy at least the long leg in advance, in exchange for a locked in date and time, you'll save even more. Italian train tickets are inexpensive.

A newer site/app is making it easier to buy European train tickets - not for all countries yet, but Italy is included. It's Captain Train, so you don't have to deal with clunky Trenitalia.

Hope this helps.

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks, Nelly! That was immensely helpful. Even just playing around on Captain Train for 15 minutes I was able to look up theoretical trips to and from each destination and get pricing and timing, etc. Definitely helpful and already gives me a clearer picture of how to search and what to look for.

And you were right on pricing too. Eurail would be $411; the (3) legs purchased separately comes to about $165. (That boosts the gelato fund another $250!) Thanks for your help!

Posted by
16895 posts

See also https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/italy-rail-passes for more comparison of prices and features of rail passes versus tickets. However, Nelly has already done the math for you and a pass does not save money (nor add convenience) for the amount of train travel you have planned.

I think Trenitalia's web site has been much improved over the past few years. Most tickets are reserved once you buy them and you can get a better price by booking ahead for your one longer leg.

There's no need to book ahead for the Regional trains that provide most service from Vernazza to Florence. Those tickets are easy to buy at the station and less restricted if you do so. The same is likely to apply to your later train, after dropping the car at the airport, etc. It would also be possible to drive into Rome without much time on regular city streets; for instance to Roma Tiburtina station.

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