We will be staying on Lake Como with friends in mid-April. They will continue on to other destinations, we need to travel by train back Venice with a two night stop over in either Verona or Bologna, probably Verona. How can we arrange train travel from Como to Verona? Can we take a train from Como, or do we need to have our friends drop us in Milan? If we start in Como, will we have to change rail stations in Milan to continue on to Verona? How complicated is that? From Verona, can we go directly to Venice? We have NO Italian language skills other than the trusty pocket dictionary, and our only prior experience with Eurostar was two years ago purchasing 1st class reserved seats roundtrip from Rome to Venice thru our travel agent here in the States. We can be flexible in the time of day we leave from Como or Milan, but the day is fixed - April 18. Likewise, we MUST be back to Venice on the 20th, as we have an early flight home the next morning. The more I read about what to do, the more confused I get. Reserved seats or not? Advanced purchase or not? 1st class or less expensive options? Your advice and suggestions most needed! Oh...one more question...can we connect from the train station in Venice to the airport?
Posted by
Vicenza, Italy
319 posts
You can check the trains online (http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD)
You will need to know what town on lake como you're staying in. Most towns have a station. Looks like you will have to change trains in Milian. I don't think it is necessary to reserve seats. Nor do I think that 1st class in nesscarry. I actually traveling in 2nd class because people are more friendly. In 1st class it is all business men and...well American tourists.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You can take EuroStar Italia trains directly from Verona to Venezia Santa Lucia. Seat reservations are required and are included in the cost of the ticket. No need to purchase in advance; but if you do, you may be able to get an Amica fare (20% discount). If any of the allotted seats are still available, Amica fares (fast trains only, not regional trains) are sold up to midnight of the day before departure.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
Edie, train travel in Italy is easy and convenient. As you read about details (1st class, reserved, etc) you're just making yourself worried. Since Lake Como is a large area, I don't know where you're leaving from. So lets take Milan as an example. There is a train every hour in the morning to Verona, some hours have more. You can buy a ticket at the kiosk in the station; the kiosk has an english menu. Don't worry about reservations; if the seat you're buying needs them the kiosk makes them for you when it assigns you to a specific pair of seats. 2nd class is fine.
If you need more specific advice or want someone to do the research for you, Rick Steves has a phone consultation service at http://www.ricksteves.com/about/consulting.htm