Italy Train Questions

This will answer a lot of your questions: Ron In Rome's tips on Trains in Italy

Michael's link will help LOTS! Since Baby the Cat helped me, I'll go ahead and post my stuff: OK - (taking deep breath) - Basically: 1)a) a travel agent/reseller of train tickets b)sells railpasses c)--- 2)44444444444444444(sorry; that was Baby the Cat)
I'll answer this later... 3)a)Italy - Yes, in 'the main stations' (in Florence at SMN ONLY! Naples Centrale ONLY! Rome Termini and Tiburtina ONLY!) - BUT sounds like a 'No' for Bercy; may need to go to very nearby Gare de Lyon. Are you not staying in a hotel in any of these cities? b)Yes - if you're staying there later, or just checked out, it's usually not a problem. Tipping - it depends on the 'vibe': whether I was charged, is it a mom-and-pop place or a fancy-schmancy place, was it an ordeal/special exception? c)Depends - things to consider, for instance: give yourself plenty of time to claim baggage at Rome Termini - it can get very busy at left-luggage. Basically, it's usually free storage (but not always) at your hotel...whichever is closest to your departure. (cont.)

(cont.) 4)Here's an example: http://www.roninrome.com/transportation/1st-class-versus-2nd-class See also http://www.seat61.com/ a)It depends on the type of accommodations...1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, or 6-person compartments; sitting in a seat all night; sleeping in a 6-person 'regular' train comparment...More on this later... b)Yes. Yes, unless it's huge luggage.
5)As long as it takes to climb the 3-4 steps into the train. That usually means around 15-30 minutes if you've never seen the station before, it's a very large station, etc. Many get there just in time to run to the schedule board, find their train, then run and jump onto it LOL! I don't recommend that, although I can say it does work ;-) 6)Nope. Please go to http://www.trenitalia.com/ for your Italian trains. You'll have to play with the site for awhile before you know the questions you want to ask. For French trains, I suggest http://www.tgv-europe.com/en/ Choose 'Great Britain' as your 'ticket collection country'; otherwise, you'll get kicked back to Rail Europe (and you don't want that - again for another time). When a little box pops up, choose the 2nd button for 'tgv-europe' - you'll see.

Will try to expand a little bit with the limited space available for responses and fill in a couple of areas. Most of your question have been well discussed on this site so if you search you could find more complete answers and, of course, most guide books cover these concers well. 1. EuRail and Rail Europe are simply travel agency selling rail tickets generally at marked up prices - neither is better or worse. It is always better to use the national rail site. 2. The only advantage to booking early is some discounts could be available but you lock yourself into a schedule and if you miss that train your ticket might not be any good. European trains rarely if every sell out. The exception is night train compartments/beds. Those need to be booked as early as possible. 3. Luggage storage at train stations can be expensive so if you are staying in the city go to your hotel and check in. Even if the room is not available they will storage your luggage. I prefer to leave my luggage at a hotel even if I have checked out. 4. Second class for us is more than adequate. The major difference is 2x2 seating in 2nd and 1x2 seating in first. First class will be mostly American tourists and business types. All the fun people are in second. 4a. It is damn hard to sleep on a train even if you have a bed. If sitting in coach, it will be marginal. As for watching your luggage. Use a cable lock to secure it to something. Carryon size bags will fit in the overhead and larger in the bins near the entrance to the car. 5. Most of the time, 30 mins is more than adequate and the track number is rarely posted much earlier than 30 mins. And that is subject to change so do not go down the platform until 5 mins or so before arrival. 6. Never tipped on a train.

Stacy, If this is your first trip to Europe, you may find it helpful to read Europe Through The Back Door, especially the "Rail Skills" chapter. You could also download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website. Click the "Railpasses" tab at the top of the page, and look in the lower right corner for the web link. The last reply from Frank provided a concise answer for your questions. However one point to add. I'd suggest researching night trains carefully, using the websites for each system (ie: Trenitalia in Italy, bahn.de for others). As Frank noted, it's not always easy to sleep on a night train, especially in a cramped Couchette with several strangers. In addition (and more importantly) it's a really good idea to check the rail trips you're going to be taking to determine whether they have any "changes" during the night. You WON'T get much sleep if you have to change at 02:00 and again at 05:00! Also, with the cost of a Couchette or Sleeper, you probably won't save much money over staying in a budget Hotel or Hostel. At least with a Hotel, one generally gets a good nights sleep! I wouldn't bother pre-ordering tickets. If you buy them a few days before you'll be travelling, you should still be able to qualify for discounted fares such as the "Mini" fares in Italy. I can very much understand all your questions, as I also researched rail travel exhaustively prior to my first trip to Europe. Happy travels!

I have slept successfully on European trains, in couchettes, so it is a YMMV issue. I recommend checking seat61.com for the countries you will be visiting, where you will find pix and detailed info on night trains. I do agree that the fewer stops the train makes the better, and you certainly don't want to have to change trains in the middle of the night. You do not tip on trains.

How does Your Mileage May Vary related to sleeping on a train? PS -- I think I understand - it means the number of miles you will sleep will vary.

Lol! No, I mean it's like a preference for chocolate or vanilla, some people sleep well, some don't.

I used to think I slept on trains but I have realized that I cat napped between waking times in sleeping compartments. I have never tried couchettes. I don't take night trains now. I have independently discovered what is said above.

Thank you all so much for your help. I am still a bit confused but I think I will just have to experience it before knowing fully. I know things are like that some times, but thank you all so much for the info!! Note: I too sleep off and on when I am in the plane so I think this would be similar. I think that me and my friend will be taking 3 night trains (out of a 10 day tip) and I seriously hope we get some sleep otherwise I will be miserable.

Pack light and you won't need to worry about waiting for your luggage. Highly recommend Rick's convertible bag that becomes a back pack, especially for the trains. Unless you have physical restrictions, this is so much better than the rolling ones. You have two issues in Rome, one is waiting for your luggage if it shows up and the other is getting through customs. If you need two bags, take a small backpack that you can wear in the front when using the convertible one. Took the night train from Milan to Paris. Night trains are typically slower and stop frequently to drop and pick up cars, which wakes you up a bit. If you're a sound sleeper it shouldn't bother you. On the train you will be able to put your luggage on the rack above your seat, or within your sleeping compartment. Use Rick's tip of wrapping the strap around the rack for security. If you're thinking about using trains to get around consider a rail pass, and first class. I got mine through Rick's web site and received a lot of help in picking the right one. First class has more room and is less crowded and for the extra cost is well worth it. Remember that on certain trains you will need a reservation which has an additional cost attached to it. Rick's site will explain this. It is helpful to be a little early to get your seat of choice and get settled in. I found it both exciting and enjoyable to people watch all over Europe, and expcially on trains. Plan well and have a great trip.