We will be in Montecatini in late March 2013 and want to take train (roundtrip) to Lucca. Anyone else done that, or have suggestions?
We are looking at a morning ride over and then mid afternoon back. Our hotel is just up the street from the station in Montecatini.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Mike, very easy. Multiple trains a day between Lucca and the Montecatini-Centro train station. Here's a sample link to what I see. http://gyazo.com/e3b07b6efe6cd706bcc15ba41fd2d75f You can see what I see on www.trenitalia.com
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15214 posts
Make sure to hop on the ones that make fewer stops. You'll get there in half the time. Unless of course you want to stop also in Pescia and pay a visit to Collodi's Pinocchio Park (the mother of the author of the book Pinocchio was from Collodi). It's fun if you have kids with you, and Villa Garzoni just across the street is beautiful. I can still remember going there as a kid with all those water fountains and water games. http://goeurope.about.com/cs/italy/a/pinocchio.htm
Posted by
OP
Terre Haute, IN, USA
30 posts
how long a ride is it.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15214 posts
24 minutes from Montecatini to Lucca, if you take the faster trains. There are two trains per hour. One fast, one slow (many stops). The slower takes twice as long.
Posted by
Green Bay
20196 posts
24 minutes on the express. 48 minutes on the local.
Posted by
OP
Terre Haute, IN, USA
30 posts
either would not be bad, my first time on a train like this. looks pretty easy to go to station and get tickets a while before the train comes. we will be there a day + before the day trip to Lucca, we will go to station and get times for the trains we need. thanks!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Mike, note that the trains to and from Montecatini are Regionale trains. These are the locals with no seat reservations possible. It's like your local bus except these are on train tracks. You can buy your tickets just before boarding. The Regionale trains cannot be sold out. Just like your local bus. Crowded? Usually not but possible. Sold Out? No. Just remember to validate your ticket before getting on the train. Big 50Euro fine on the spot if you don't.
Posted by
OP
Terre Haute, IN, USA
30 posts
thank you for the sharing of information. I am sure that as we get closer t othe trip, i will post more queries