Italy Vacation

Colleen,

Go to raileurope.com and price train tickets. DO NOT BUY THEM from there as thre prices are no bargain but use this as a comparison as you may find that the saverpass is not worth it.

If you decide not to buy the pass, when you do buy train tickets, if you can get them at least 24 hours ahead, ask for (or in machine, check for) Amica fares which are discounted restricted change fares.

Also, VERY IMPORTANT!!!! Validate your ticket or pay a fine. At the entrance to train area at all station and on the platforms, you will find little yellow machines hanging on the wall. You stick your ticket in and it puts a date/time stamp on it. Failure to do so gets a fine if you get caught.

Thank you for your help! I feel a little better now.

Kent- As for flying into Naples, the price wasn't very different but the main reason is I don't want to spend more time on a train or bus after the plane ride and it will take an hour and fifteen mins to get from airport to Sorrento. So that works for me! :)

John- Thank you for the tip on validating a ticket- I didn't know that was required so I would have been in trouble!
Thanks again!

For a better idea as to what you'll be paying for tickets, point to point, check out the Italian national railway website at http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html. This'll give you a better idea as to whether a railpass is worth it. My experience has been that point to point in Italy are very inexpensive....rail passes, with all the hassles of extra reservations, usually aren't neccessary in Italy.

Colleen, a couple of additional points to add to the others. You might find it helpful to read the "Rail Skills" section in Rick's Europe Through The Back Door (you may have already looked at this, couldn't tell from your post?).

I don't believe you can access train from Sorrento. You'll probably have to take the small local train or Bus to Naples. The rail trip from Naples to Rome is about 1.5 hours.

As someone else recommended, you might find P-P tickets best in Italy, given the fact that you only have a few trips. I tend to buy tickets for the outgoing journey as soon as I arrive in a town. With P-P tickets, any reservation fees will be included in the cost of the ticket.

I'd recommend a change in your Itinerary though. Travel from Rome - Vernazza - Florence - Venice seems like a more logical route. I did the trip from Rome to CT last year, and it was nice. Depending on which train you choose, there are 2-3 changes - make sure you review the procedure for changing trains!

Colleen, your itinerary looks really good. The only comment I have is to not make Pisa a side trip out of Florence. You will most likely change trains in Pisa on the way from Florence to Vernazza. You will also most likely change trains again in La Spezia as not all trains going through the CT stop in Vernazza. In my opinion, the leaning tower and nearby historic grounds are wonderful to see. That's it. There's really nothing else to see in Pisa unless you are visiting relatives. My suggestion is to leave early from Florence, jump off at Pisa and visit the leaning tower and nearby grounds. It's a casual 30 minute walk in and 30 minutes to walk out. You can be in and out in 3 hours. Then, jump on your train to Vernazza. It does cut down your visit to the CT a bit which is why I suggest that you leave Florence early. It does give you a bit more time in Florence.

I've provided a SAMPLE TRAIN SCHEDULE for a train journey to Vernazza from Florence. Note that the first train stopping at Pisa leaves Florence at 9:27am. Just a thought.

Larry, just curious - how did you add the web link in your previous Post? I haven't been able to figure out how to do that on these Boards.

Hello Coleen,

The first thing you are doing so right is to fly to Naples. This is the best way to enjoy the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast. From Naples airport, you can take a direct bus that comes to Sorrento. They do have a few daily schedules from there. This is the easiest way to arrive in Sorrento. From Sorrento, you can move easily to side trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples, Capri and Amalfi Coast (Amalfi, Positano & Ravello). Here you can buy a ticket for bus, train and metro that is valid for 3 days and it costs 20 Euros around. It is called 3T and you can buy at the train station or at the tobacco shop (train station in Naples is part of the Ferrovia del Stato service, means federal. sorrento is part of the Regional service called Circumvesuviana, however they are integrated). sorrento is a great litle HUB for you to move around.
when you leave Sorrento, you are welcome to take the train to Naples and connect with your next stop. For the regular train, cont..

you can use the railpass system that is the ones that integrates your ticket. The regional one is not part of this program as I mentioned before. You are welcome to mail me if you need further information as I work for the tourist portal of Sorrento. Thanks,
Cinthya

Colleen, If you decide to stop in Pisa on your way to CT and don't buy the saverpass, then buy 2 open tickets - one Florence to Pisa and one Pisa to Vernazza. Since all trains on this route are probably local trains, you can board any of the 2-3 trains per hour to Pisa (they start early) and then hop the next train from Pisa to CT (about hourly) after your tour of the Duomo and Leaning Tower. I find the open tickets very convenient, but they cannot be used on the high-speed trains and possibly those designated as Intercity trains. On the Pisa to CT train, confirm with the conductor when they check you ticket whether the train stops in Vernazza, requires a change in La Spezia or requires a change in Monterosso.

Yep, they are right. Pisa really is just something you'll want to spend an hour at and that is it. Italy is such a beautiful country that you will not want to use any more time at Pisa than needed. Don't get me wrong, I do think it's a must see tourist attraction.

Again, they are right. Venice is gorgeous and only 2 nights in Venice is a shame. The 3rd night would really add to this experience especially with the travel on the day arriving in Venice. I love Venice and for that matter, Italy as a country. You will not ever want to come back. You can stare at the countryside for hours without blinking.

Colleen, one other point regarding the trains in Italy. I found on a couple of occasions that the track no. didn't match what was printed on the chart on the wall of the station. Watch the electronic signboard for more up to date information.

I noticed that when departure time arrived, there was a certain logic in following the crowd. Also, if you're using a reserved ticket, make sure you board the correct car (Carrozza xxx) and use the seat no. specified on the ticket (Posti xx Finestrino/window or Corriddoio/aisle).

Cheers!

Hi Colleen,

We're planning our first European trip and are working on a similar itinerary as yours! I wanted to thank you for posting a question that's been in the back of my mind.

What time of year are you headed over?

I want to thank everyone for their excellent advice. I actually was planning on hitting Pisa on the way between Florence and Cinque Terre. I do like the idea of traveling from Rome to Cinque Terre and then to Pisa on the way to Florence. I will probably go that route. I appreciate all the help. Thank you!

Ok I have it finished...sorta :)
We are flying into Naples and taking the bus to Sorrento for 4 nights with day trips to Capri, Pompeii and maybe the Amalfi Coast(I get nervous easily so still deciding on that) from Sorrento take the Circumvesuviana(sp?) Train to Naples to catch a main train to Rome for 3 nights. Then train to Vernazza for 3 nights and then Venice for 3 nights and flying out of Venice. I decided the earlier itinerary felt still too rushed and made me tired thinking about it. I want to be relaxed! I also want my daughter to have fun too. I also decided I will come back later and do a week long trip in Tuscany and include Florence then. How does this sound? After pricing the tickets I decided I will buy the train tickets seperately as it seems much cheaper that way. Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions... do you have anymore or do you think this is good?

Colleen - don't feel nervous about day-tripping out of Sorrento. Taking the train to Pompeii, and boats to Capri, Positano, etc. is very easy. The ticket-seller at the train station in Sorrento was friendly and helpful, as were the people working the kiosks for the ferries. Really, we're not what I'd call "world travelers" (yet!) but we had no trouble day-tripping at all. You'll be fine and SO glad you did it!