How hard is train travel

It does seem intimidating at first, but after only a couple of trains you'll be a pro. If those idiots on the Amazing Race can do it, so can you:)

Train travel in Italy is fun and easy. We were nervous too, but it turned out to be unfounded. We found plenty enough English to get by, and many kind folks will help a struggling tourist, but I doubt you'll even struggle. A good word to learn is "binario"...it means platform or track number where you'll depart. And validate your ticket in the little yellow box before you board. Easy-peasy. We had a lot of fun riding the trains. Enjoy your trip.

"And validate your ticket in the little yellow box before you board."

Ticket validation has driven me crazy as I've traveled the world, since so many places do it differently and often nobody tells you how it's done and the signs aren't in English. Some countries still have a conductor who travels the cars and punches tickets. Other places have self-validation of various sorts and occasional spot checks to make sure it's being done.

My brother and our friends spent a day as guests of the local police in Krakow, Poland, once because we bought tram tickets at our hotel, got on the tram, and nobody ever told us about punching them in the little box at the back of the tram car. A couple of us got off the tram when the doors opened, but the rest of our group were detained and taken "down town" by undercover police who noticed they didn't punch their tickets!

After hours of dealing with police who professed to speak only Polish, and our group who, among them, spoke fluent English, French, Spanish, Swedish, and German, but no Polish, they were fined about 6 million zloties each (which was about $15).

Hi Jeff,

I love train travel in Italy but it can be tricky--you've gotten some great advice already! Here's a recent post about travel for the Milan-Varenna portion of your itinerary:

Milan to Varenna

I also remember having some difficulty in LaSpezia as the ticket sellers (this was several years ago) didn't speak a lot of English. I'd be prepared to write your itinerary(LaSpezia to Montepulciano) so that you can hand it to them in writing. Also, check the Trentalia schedule online in advance so you know what your options are!

Happy travels!

"I also remember having some difficulty in LaSpezia as the ticket sellers (this was several years ago)didn't speak a lot of English."

You never know what you'll get. We bought train tickets in La Spezia about 3 months ago. I must have had a bewildered look in my eyes that day, because the woman who sold me the tickets then walked us out the door, took us to our platform, and explained to us in good English how to validate the tickets.

We were so shocked we forgot to offer a tip!

If you are concerned about being able to speak Italian at the ticket window, then go to the Trenitalia site beforehand, print out the schedule for approximately when you think you want to take the train and then show that to the ticket counter and point to the one you want. It helps them a lot too. We did this on our 15 day trip around Italy, all by train.

Michael, love the video (I'll have to figure out how to do that on my blog!). Fortunately Patrick the validation process is easier here in Italy... just stamp everything! I've shared your frustration in Eastern Europe.

Jeff, as mentioned, train riding is far easier than you believe. We've made many, many trips and after you've done one or two times you're a pro. Changing trains is a challenge sometimes... but worse case scenario is YOU MISS A TRAIN - so, just get on the next one! Yes, you may have to pay a "change fee" ... but you're in Italy AND on vacation! So head for a cafe and have a coffee or a glass of wine. Someday I plan to write a book on our 2.5 hours stuck in Grossetto after we missed a train. Had a wonderful time watching futbol in a small cafe with some locals!

If you can, print out your "proposed' trains you'll be riding... then if you have a tight connection upcoming, CIRCLE the train you want to catch on your print-out and as you get off the train head for a Trenitalia employee or counter and just POINT and say Dove (Doe-vay)? And they'll point you in the right direction. Other than connections (and I've missed a few), you'll be amazed at how easy this is!

Read this post and it may help you with riding trains... Also pay attention to how to read the Arrival and Departure bulletin boards. If you're connecting, then you can use these boards as you come into a station to see when and where your train may leave - but DO also watch the arrival and departure signs... For more help on riding trains in Italy, CLICK HERE

Ron in Rome

Dan - it appears great minds think alike - and at the same time - as we posted similar advice within a few minutes! WOW - karma?

Jeff, there is a very good website (seat61.com) that has reams of information on train travel in Europe. You may find a pointer or two there.

Jeff,

I often feel a bit "challenged" by the trains at the beginning of each trip, but I get used to them again after a few days. Even so, I always double-check all the details.

I usually verify my route both on the printed charts (which are only replaced every few months) and the electronic boards for Partenza (departures), just to make sure I've got the correct track (binario) and train numbers.

If you're travelling with reserved seats, you'll also have to verify your Car (Carozza) number and Seat (Posto) number. The seat description might be more specific by also specifying aisle (corridoio) or window (finestrino). With second class seats (non reserved) this won't be a concern.

The train to Varenna should be quite easy and "informal" (I was there for another visit in June). Be sure to validate! One point to mention - both Validation machines in the station at Varenna were "out of commission" when I was there. If you find this is the case on your trip back to Milan, I believe it's acceptable to write the date and time on the back of the ticket (but be sure to do this BEFORE the Conductor checks the ticket). Hopefully someone else here can confirm whether that's the correct response if the validation machines aren't available? I've had to resort to that method using the Buses in Italy on past occasions.

You might want to re-read the "Rail Skills" chapter in Europe Through the Back Door OR download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website (click the "Railpasses" tab at the top of the page and then look in the lower right corner).

Happy travels!

Thanks so much guys and gals for the great info. Sometimes you just need a little nudge for reassurance. I had given some thought to stopping in Como and taking the boat to Varenna. Anybody ever taken this option? is it worht it, ar would it be better to wait and rdie after we were settled in and rested? Thanks again. Jeff

"I had given some thought to stopping in Como and taking the boat to Varenna."

Most travelers wanting to see the best part of Lake Como--the ultra-scenic mid-lake region between Varenna-Bellagio-Menaggio, take the train directly to Varenna; then public boat/ferry from Varenna to Bellagio, the views are gotten from the water.

As always, the help is much appreciated! This forum is IMO one of the best travel resources available. thanks again. Jeff

VALIDATE VALIDATE VALIDATE!! Do not forget that, and keep your luggage to a minimum, and you'll be fine.
English is spoken by the ticket sellers.

Despite that last video (since deleted, thankfully), do not buy your tickets in advance from unabellavista.com or any other site. Buy them once you're there and save on the huge fees that those sites will charge you.

Just travel light. language diff are rarely a prob. Validate your train ticket is the MOST important bef you board your traion. Otherwise you could be fined BIG. It is difficult to remember buit on the platform ,look for the small yellow box and insert your tickets.
They are somewhat inconspicous. otherwise do not work it is easy!

Loved the reply Michael.

We know our travel days in advance and take a printed copy of the train shedules/timetables with us.

If all else fails, I will do what a poster suggested - circle and point!

PACK LIGHT unless you travel with a sherpa.

Travel agents may also be an option, and there was no additional fee. For journeys that were a bit more complicated than others, we sometimes dropped in a travel agency, where you could work one on one without the press of hundreds of people waiting in line. Have a great time.

read Ron In Rome's postings on his website. Lots of good train info. Was very helpful for our trip this past July.

Just use the machines as much as possible and select "English" from the start. They walk you through step by step. I felt the same way and was able to figure it out pretty easily. When in doubt..just ask someone in the station...I found Europe to be a lot easier once I started asking for help.

Getting the tickets is very easy using the machines.
However, the machines will only give you 9 Euro in change, so have small bills.

Second class tickets city to city is the way to go.

I we just did Florence to Prato (Prato is Cool!) then to Lucca and then Back to Florence.

Couple points:
It is sometimes very confusing which track you should wait on. These change for no reason at all.
Also they don't always make sense for the connections. To get to Prato early we had to go on a siena train to Florence (refinia) station and transfer there to a Prato Train. Its okay if you make some mistakes because your ticket has a time frame so you can make transfers. The ticket stamping is important, one of the little yellow boxes you feed the ticket in and it will be time stamped. However, MANY of these machines don't work. So you find one that does and just stamp it before boarding. The on/off time frame is very short. So be set up to get on and off quickly.
Dorrs sometimes don't automatically open. You pull the door handle to you and then slide the door.

Have fun. Seond class point to point is the only way to go.