Trying to decipher differing train schedules from Rome to Florence. While all postings say to buy rail passes once in Italy, would still like to make sure the times work for our travels. Plan to arrive in Rome in the morning, then take train directly to Florence. Eurail site lists trains departing constantly. Trenitalia and Deusche Bahn both only list a night train. Which do I believe???
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, USA
306 posts
When you are checking train schedules online with trenitalia, to the immediate right of where you input the date is a a box to input the departure time as well. The time defaults to the time of day that you are online. For example if you are checking the website at 7 PM the website will check train departing after 7 PM unless you tell it otherwise. So after you put the date in change the time as well. Remember europe is on the 24 hour clock. When I check I input 05 hours and the website will show you all trains departing after 05 hours (5 AM). This should fix your problem and you will see all trains departing for the day.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
Another fact of life is that the train schedules are basically updated mid June in Europe.
Trenitalia even then is a bit slow loading the new schedule. So if you are trying to search farther out say for a trip in August or September, the new schedule won't be loaded and you won't see all the trains.
the way to work around this is to choose the same day of the week as your intended travel but search for a date within the next week or so. The results while not completely accurate will be close enough for planning purposes.
For example:
If I search now on Trenitalia for a train from Rome to Florence on September 27 this year. Only one train shows, leaving Rome at 19:05 arriving Florence 21:35.
Instead enter March 28 (a Monday) to correspond with the day of week of the proposed travel and you'll find 3 or 4 trains departing every hour. This will also be the case in September. The exact times of departure may vary slightly but they will be close.
Posted by
OP
Florida
2 posts
Excellent information! Thanks to everyone!
Posted by
Freedonia
15112 posts
One other thing...if you're talking about buying "tickets" when you get there, start using the word tickets and not passes. They are two different things. If you say you want to buy a pass in Italy, that's what they'll sell you. And you probably don't want that.
And don't forget to validate your tickets before use.