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Florence/Naples: Saving Money on the Trains

Posted by (Los Angeles) on

Florence/Naples seems to be a fairly popular request on this site. Readers will be pleased to know that it is extremely well serviced by Trenitalia. Indeed, there are 14 daily Eurostar AV trains (nearly one per hour) as well as 5 Intercity (IC) trains between Florence and Naples.

The one-way "regular" fare in second class for the AV train is steep: currently about 67 Euros, for 3 hrs. 16 minutes of travel.

The comparable fare for the IC train is a bargain: about 41 Euros for a little over 5 hours of travel. First class on the IC, at 54 Euros, is still lower than second class on the AV.

With the one-day advance purchase "AMICA" fare, the IC train costs 20% less. The promotional fares for the AV train require a minimum 7-day advance purchase, and result in only a 15% savings. All promotional fares, however, are capacity controlled, so they may not be available when requested.

The AV train costs 63% more while the IC train takes 65% longer. A nearly perfect tradeoff.

Before you "jump" for the lower fares on the IC trains, here are a couple of "disclosures" you need to know:

  1. The IC trains all depart from Firenze Rifredi Station, and NOT S.M. Novella Station. This inconvenience requires taking a local train to or from S.M. Novella Station to or from Rifredi Station, and consequently lengthens the total travel time. This is a significant point not be be overlooked.

  2. The IC trains have no restaurant or cafe car, but some trains may have a rolling cart service with beverages and light snacks. However, not all of the AV trains on this route have a restaurant car either.

  3. Some have complained that the IC trains are dirtier than the faster and sleeker ES/AV trains.

  4. Some have noted that second class on the IC trains has less leg room than second class on the ES/AV trains. This is true under some circumstances, but the seats on the IC trains actually have greater hip/shoulder room!!!

(continued)

Posted by
425 posts

  1. Some have complained that the air conditioning can be non-functioning on some IC trains. While this is true, the same can happen as well on other trains.

  2. The IC train has 2 first class and 8 second class railcars. The AV train has 4 first class and 7 second class railcars. Many of the IC trains have the "separate compartments" with a sliding glass door. The AV trains have entirely "open car" seating.

www.ferroviedellostato.it

Posted by
8700 posts

While you can find timetables and fares on the Trenitalia site, you cannot book a ticket online using a North American credit card. However, the station ticket machines have an English option and they do accept North American credit cards.

Posted by
4555 posts

Unfortunately, what the Trenitalia site says, and what it actually allows, are two different things. American credit cards have not been successful on transactions American posters have tried for at least the past 18 months, and Trenitalia has been unable or unwilling to explain why.
Yes, you can make a booking and pay for it later....but only up to 24 hours later, either on-line with a credit card (which won't work), at Trenitalia-authorized travel agencies (which are in Italy), or at the self-service ticket machines at Italian railway stations (or at the ticket window if there are no self-service machines.)

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