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Trains/Bus Transportation Florence to Siena to Cinque Terre to Rome - HELP!

Posted by (Solana Beach, CA, USA) on

I will be using public transportation in Italy middle to late May. I know that travel isn't always straight forward in Italy and I haven't traveled by train or bus intra-city in Europe, so any insight will be much appreciated.

Florence to Siena Lodging is by the Piazza Il Campo. Bus stop is 300 meters away and train station is 2 km away. I understand train station is at the bottom of a hill, outside the town gates.. There is an escalator and bus goes close to the city center, but is not hassle free.
1. Bus - recommended. Rick is pretty adamant about bus over train. Sunday Rapide-Express Via Tozzi. It seems Non-stop. 2:10pm - 3:37pm. Will I be able to put my carry-on above my seat? I am concerned re baggage under bus. Some friends lost their luggage as once they got on the bus, their luggage was taken out of the compartment and left at the station. They didn't know until they reached their destination 6 hours later and there was no recourse at that point. Is this not a problem in Florence? Do I watch luggage until compartment is closed?

2. Train - people who have taken both bus and train say train is less crowded, has better scenery, luggage safety? Is the extra hassle getting into town worth taking the train over the bus?

This is where is it gets very confusing to me!!! Siena to Cinque Terre and Cinque Terre to Rome
Trenatalia:

Siena to La Spezia or Monterosso message says "Travel solution is not purchasable if departure date is 7 days from current date"
La Spezia to Rome, I don't get the 7 day message, it just won't allow me to click on it, only 2nd class.

Rail Europe:
"Official" Trenitalia Site, lowest price guaranteed, however it seems to be considerably more than Trenitalia plus a handling charge,but booking is possible. I am concerned that if I wait until 7 days before departure to book on Trenitalia, I won't be able to get the departure time I want.

The schedule I would like is as follows:
Siena to Cinque Terre 9:18am - 12:20pm - connection in Empoli 12:40pm - 12:54pm La Spezia to Monterosso When booking Siena to Monterosso both T & RE have departure from La Spezia to Monterosso at 12:24 - If I book that and miss the train, would I be able to just get on the next train, or should I book Siena/La Spezia and La Spezia/Monterosso separately.

Cinque Terre to Rome
1. When I am able to book, when leaving from Monterosso, both T & RE have La Spezia arrival at 1:02pm, only 12 minutes before departure to Rome. Is that enough time or should I take an earlier train to La Spezia arriving at 11:58am or 12:29pm. I don't want to risk missing the connection.
2. Freccibianca from La Spezia Centrale 1:14pm departure 4:30pm arrival Rome 4:30pm. I can choose my seat - they are 3 across - does the single seat go along the coast side? I can't tell from the diagram.
Also:
1. Is the "over 60" for UK citizens and reciprocity countries
2. Can carry-on baggage go overhead in Regionale and Inter-City trains

Thank you so much!
Sharon

Posted by
6898 posts

Whew! That's a long message. First, Florence to Siena. The Corse Rapide is a non-stop. Yes, your baggage will go underneath. These are very modern buses. Once at the Via Tozzi, you can easily take a taxi to your hotel.

For your journey from Siena to Monterosso, you will be on Regionale trains. These are the basic trains in Italy. No seat reservations on these trains and you cannot buy tickets for these trains online more than 7 days out from the time of travel unless it is coupled with a fast train ticket. For your journey, no fast trains will be involved so you will be on all Regionale trains. You can see the train schedules online; you just can't buy the Regionale tickets. For a journey from Siena to Monterosso, expect a train change at Empoli and at La Spezia. You can easily buy the ticket for these trains in Italy. Very easy to use the ticket machines. They will prompt you in English. One important thing about Regionale train tickets. When you buy them in Italy (not online), they are good for 60 days on any Regionale train making the run shown on the ticket. Yes you can miss one Regionale train and catch the next one. From La Spezia into the CT, there are 20 trains a day. This is different from the fast trains which do require seat reservations and if you miss the train, your ticket could be toast. Again, this is different with the Regionale trains. To answer one of your other questions, yes, there is rack storage overhead on the Regionale and Intercity trains. There is also overhead storage on the Freccia fast trains but it's not as high. You can fit large roller bags overhead on the Regionale trains if you can lift them up there.

Another concern. Don't worry about Regionale trains being sold out. This can't happen. They can't be sold out. If no seats, you can stand. Wait until you get into the CT and see the zoo of visitors that pack those trains. You're worrying too much here.

I see the 13:14 Freccibianca run from La Spezia Centrale. However, I don't understand your "T & RE" term. What is this? 12 minutes is a bit tight. I wouldn't take chances here. I would suggest the earlier train. You can have a latte or sandwich in the McDonalds that's in the La Spezia train station (at least it was when we were last there). Also, you can take food onboard for your trip to Rome.

I would bet that you won't get too much for being over 60. We didn't.

Posted by
1277 posts

Hi Sharon. That's a lot of questions! :) I'll get it started...
Cinque Terre to Rome
1. When I am able to book, when leaving from Monterosso, both T & RE have La Spezia arrival at 1:02pm, only 12 minutes before departure to Rome. Is that enough time or should I take an earlier train to La Spezia arriving at 11:58am or 12:29pm. I don't want to risk missing the connection.
Answer: The fast / freccia trains are usually close to schedule, but regional trains often are not. I would take the next earlier regional train to be safe. There's a McDonald's track side at La Spezia, you can get a snack while waiting..
2. Freccibianca from La Spezia Centrale 1:14pm departure 4:30pm arrival Rome 4:30pm. I can choose my seat - they are 3 across - does the single seat go along the coast side? I can't tell from the diagram.
Answer: from my experience, you can't predict, because you don't know which way the car will be facing. But in first class, most of the seats will likely be empty, so you can just move.
Also:
1. Is the "over 60" for UK citizens and reciprocity countries. Answer ; not sure
2. Can carry-on baggage go overhead in Regionale and Inter-City trains. Yes, if it is carry-on size or smaller. If larger, it may have to go at rack at end of car.

Posted by
103 posts

Larry and Bob,

Mille, mille grazie - and that was my supreme effort to be succinct!

This bus/train thing has been hanging over my head and I am so glad to have a better understanding of it. I went on Trenitalia again tonight and it will allow me to purchase the first class ticket La Spezia to Roma.

Saluti,

Sharon

Thanks again, I will pay it forward

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