Hello! First time poster, and first time European traveler! Here's the quick run down of our plan: Fly into Milan, take the train directly to Florence (3 nights there); then train to Sorrento via high speed then regional train (3 night there); train back up to Rome (3 more nights); and finally an overnight train to Paris for our last 3 nights. I'm having a bit of trouble navigating the various train options and have two key questions I'm hoping you can help with: 1. My research shows that a 4 day Eurorail Italy pass is probably the best deal, cost-wise (though not much cheaper than booking each segment on its own). The RailEurope helpline said that we can use the 4th day of the Italy pass for our overnight into France without a problem even though we'd be ending in another country. Has anyone else done that? 2. Secondly, do I buy our pass first, THEN go back into the system to reserve our overnight train? Or can I purchase that all at once? Thank you!
Tonya
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Tonya, a couple of things. First, Italy will charge a supplemental fee of 10Euro for each high-speed that you will be on. I see three high-speed runs per person. There could be four if you change trains in Rome to get to Naples. This applies to each train and not the trip. Also, you will need to make seat reservations along the way before boarding. Your pass will get you onto any Regionale train for free. Second, the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento will not accept your pass. However, it's dirt cheap (3-4E each way). Third, there's a firm Eurail rule that you must have a valid pass for each country in which you will be traveling with the pass. You might get to the Italian border on your Italy pass but you might be challenged when you get into France. I'm sure the ticket agent would advise you of any problems with the ticket at the beginning of the journey. I'll let others comment on this one.
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis, MN, USA
3 posts
Thank you, Larry! We do know that the train from Naples to Sorrento won't be covered by the pass, but from your reply I am wondering if, in your experience, you think buying each segment individually is the better option?
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
203 posts
Tonya, try pricing out the legs of your trip that will be purchased on the trenitalia website. Assuming you will be travelling in 2nd class, you will be comparing "apples to apples" against the Pass. If you are going in 1st class, there is a charge for each ticketed passenger to secure the seat in the first class carriage, which is in addition to the price of the Pass but is included in the singel ticket 1st class price.. That would be the most definitive way to get an idea if you end up "ahead" with the Pass or not. I did five individual, point to point, tickets (as opposed to a Pass), all in first class, and came out ahead that way. Although, I will add that I did the mini-fare rate on each ticket, which was a nice savings, but does "lock" me in to that specific train. For me, it is preferable, because I am a structured and scheduled traveler. That method is not for everyone.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23343 posts
While it may be personal preference, we have never found that first class has much advantage over 2nd. 2nd class is more like business class on airplane. Lots of room. Where did you obtain your p2p ticket pricing? Rail Europe is not a good source. With your schedule I would find it hard to believe that the pass is cheaper even without the surcharges.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
An Italy pass will not work in France. You would be denied carraige prior to departure since it is an overnight train. I'm not sure what advice you got. A Rome-Paris flight will likely be cheaper than a train ticket. You must have a pass before making reservations, though they can be made at the time of purchase. Such reservations are more limited and expensive than just reserving in person at the Milan train station when you get into town.
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis, MN, USA
3 posts
Thank you all for your replies. After reading your posts, I looked more closely at the trenitalia website and learned how to "see" the MINI rates -- what a difference! I'll have to look more closely at the options tomorrow, but I can see that the p2p will be cheaper than I had anticipated. As for the overnight train, we think it would be a fun experience. And, truthfully, between airfare and a hotel, the price is about the same either way. Thank you again for your time and your expertise, I appreciate it.
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
Tonya, I've always checked prices on the Trenitalia website, but I book all the tickets (when I have a structured itinerary) at my first train station stop, so I don't have to wait in lines at every city. Trenitalia has customer care centers at the major cities; these offices are not usually crowded, and you can get all the tickets you will need at once. In my experience the Trenitalia website doesn't always list every train available.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
203 posts
Frank, travel style is a personal preference and my boyfriend insists on first class on the train. We all make choices on what is most important and least important, and that is just one of those things that is important to him based on previous travels to Italy.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Venice-Paris night train: If you book well in advance (up to 90 days allowed) on the Trenitalia site, you can get a Smart Price fare of €45/person for bunks in a 4-person couchette or a Go fare of €140/person for beds in a double seat compartment. For a detailed description of night trains between Italy and France, including photos, go here.