Hi everyone!
My husband and I need to travel from Monterosso to Florence on 6/28/15, and, despite my best efforts to research and work out the solution myself, I'm having a hard time finding tickets on Trenitalia. When I use the starting point of Monterosso, it tells me "no travel solution found." Additionally, when I used the starting point of La Spezia (assuming I can buy the local ticket from Monterosso to La Spezia in person), it tells me the same thing. When I instead use the starting point of La Spezia AND check the "Frecce" box, I see just one Frecciabianca train from La Spezia Centrale to Firenze S.M. Novella with a connection in Firenze Campo di Marte on an Urbano train, but the train from La Spezia doesn't depart until 8pm. The "Monterosso Connections" portion of Rick's Italy book advised that there are generally 5 direct trains per day between La Spezia Central and Florence, and also hourly trains that I assume have connections. What am I doing wrong here? Maybe I'm trying to book too early?
Thanks!
Tara
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23296 posts
Most of the trains in that area are Regionale trains. My first guess until I can try the schedules is that you are local at Regionale trains which cannot be booked on-line till 7 days out. However, it is strongly recommendation that you only buy Regionale tickets at a station since the on-line tickets come with additional restrictions.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
It appears the schedule is only available on TrenItalia thru 6/13. I would keep checking a couple of days. To get an idea of the times and prices use Sunday June 7 and you can see the trains. They should be close to that once they are posted for the 28th.
Posted by
Green Bay
20172 posts
The schedules won't change much, if at all. So you look at the Sunday (6/28 is a Sunday) May 3 (this coming Sunday) and you will have the price and approximate schedule. Then check back in a month or so to confirm. Trenitalia is always late getting the new schedules loaded for the twice yearly European wide train schedule adjustment.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Also don't check the Le Frecce box. Better for you to see all trains. Regional train tickets are not sold online more than a week in advance, but that adds date restrictions, so we recommend buying regional tickets in train stations, then validating/date-stamping them before boarding the train. DB train schedules can give you a clear picture of the whole day, but also not past June 13.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Tara,
For travel in June, it's possible that the cheaper tickets on the fast trains may already be sold out (I didn't check). You'll probably be using two Regionale trains on that route, which is why you're not finding tickets.
The easiest solution would be to simply buy your tickets at the full service rail station in Monterosso, perhaps the day before you'll be travelling. As you enter the office from the platform, there's an information booth straight ahead and the ticket office is to the left. The agents speak some English, so you should have no trouble buying tickets.
Your route will likely include a Regionale from Monterosso to La Spezia Centrale, Intercity (reservations compulsory but will be included with the ticket) from La Spezia to Pisa Centrale and Regionale Veloce to Firenze SMN. As Laura mentioned, DON'T forget to validate your Regionale tickets prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or you'll risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
Posted by
OP
Washington, DC, USA
10 posts
Thank you so much for all of this advice! Man, you guys really know everything!