Italy Trains

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Posted by gardn128 on 03/19/24 01:04 AM

Two questions regarding trains…

We’ll be taking one way trains from Venice to Florence, Florence to Siena, Siena to Sorrento, and Sorrento to Rome. We know the dates but have some flexibility on the times. We know we check out of our AirBNBs at 10 am each time and check in to the next one after 3 pm. Do you recommend I book those train tickets now several weeks ahead of time or just wait until the day of at the station?
Within each stop we’ll be doing some day trips. To Padua from Venice, to Pisa from Florence, to Naples from Sorrento, to Volterra from Siena, and to Orvieto from Rome. Same question as above for these trips - book ahead or day of?

Thanks all!!!

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

03/19/24 01:27 AM

21226 posts

Venice to Florence is a highspeed, all-reserved train, so if you can make decision, you can book a nonrefundable ticket for a discount. And check out Italo Treno, and competitor in highspeed trains, just as fast, often for a bit less than Trenitalia.

Florence to Siena is usually best by bus as it takes you into the old city. The train is slower and drops you at the station which is at the bottom of the hill outside the old city.

Siena to Sorrento will be 3 legs, a regional train to Florence (or take the bus), then a highspeed train to Napoli Centrale, then the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. The last is separate from Trenitalia and tickets must be purchased separately. the station is below Napoli Centrale. if you take the bus from Siena, you have the option of using Italo Treno. Book in advance for the best price.

To Rome is again Circumvesuviana to Napoli, then highspeed train to Rome. Again, you choice of Trenitalia or Italo Treno, booked in advance for a discount.

All your side trips are regional trains which can be bought at the station or with an app. Unreserved and cheap. Siena to Volterra is awkward. Think about renting a car for the day, or seeing if there are any direct buses.

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

03/19/24 01:57 AM

23642 posts

The main reason to book tickets in advance is to take advantage of any discount ticket that may be available. But the discount ticket locks you into that schedule since they are no refund, no change. If absolutely certain as to schedule -- day and time -- then you can book early with the discount tickets. Otherwise buy them when you need the day before. Trains in Italy are fairly cheap compared to other countries. On your second question many of those trains are Regional. Regional trains are fixed price and never change so there is no advantage to early purchase.

Posted by markcw

Los Angeles

03/19/24 05:09 AM

1207 posts

But the discount ticket locks you into that schedule since they are no refund, no change

Actually, there is some flexibility in discount tickets purchased in advance - you must make the change before the original departure time, and pay the difference in fare - from the discount price to the fare currently available.

For Trenitalia:

https://www.trenitalia.com/en/offers/the_economy_ticket.html

For Italo, their Economy fares can be changed for a 20% penalty plus the difference of the cost of the new fare:

https://www.italotreno.it/en/the-train/fares