We have purchased your book and used it in many ways but I am having a real frustrating time with the rail passes. I cannot figure out how to know when , how long it takes, what train and where to get the train at would be most efficient. I am willing to work with someone but so far cannot get anyone to answer all my questions so I can purchase passes. I will give you the information and I would appreciate it if you could help me. I was requesting 4 saver passes split with two credit cards. We would want our travel to start and stop on the following days and destinations in the late morning. We would like to travel first class, and make sure seats are available. Leave Via Modena, Rome to Amalfi on 9/29/2012 Leave Amalfi to Orvieto 10/3/2012 Leave Orvieto to Santa Margherita Cinque Terre 10/5/2012 Leave Santa Marghertia, Cinque Terre to Cannaregio, Venice 10/8/2012 Leave Cannaregio, Venice to Montefiridolfi, Florence10/11/2012 Leave Montefiridolfi, Florence to 00185, Rome 10/16/2012 We have contacted a couple of your suggested tour guides but until we get the rail passes I cant tell them when we arrive etc. We were thinking the 1st class 10 day in 2 months would work but I dont know how to book it and know what times, trains, or locations to use. Can you help me? thank you
Cher Heitzinger
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Cher, this travel forum is not staffed by Rick Steves employees. It's a place for fellow travelers to ask questions and share their own perspectives. As for what you're asking, it never makes sense to buy rail "passes" for train travel in Italy. Instead, you want to buy tickets through trenitalia.com. This website will help you figure out how to do that. RonInRome on trains The other suggestion if you don't want to do this yourself, is to give one of the Rick Steves travel consultants a call: Travel Consultants
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Rick Steves nor any of his staff respond on this website. The website has been set up by the Rick Steves organization but we are all volunteers. We don't work for the Rick Steves organization. You don't need a pass for Italy. In fact, your journey from Naples to Amalfi and the return to Naples to go to Orvieto are not covered by any pass. You journeys involve the Trenitalia train, the Circumvesuviana train, the SITA bus and possibly the ferry. The pass is only good on the Trenitalia train. Plus, when you ride the high-speed trains, Trenitalia will charge you a 10Euro supplemental fee to ride them. You don't have your seat reservations until you pay the supplemental fee. A pass will not cover you on any bus or taxi transportation to Montefiridolfi. How will you get to Modena to start your journey? How are you entering Italy? Why are you going three times to Rome? How many people in your travel group? What dates will you be traveling? Let us know and we can help you set up your train journey and tell you how to get your tickets.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32398 posts
Cher, I definitely agree with Michael's suggestion, regarding a tour consultation. Given the fact that you've only got about a month until your trip takes place, it would be a good idea to get the details sorted soon. Spending $75 for a half hour consultation would likely help you avoid problems, save money and help find the best transportation options for your trip. Railpasses are rarely cost effective when travelling in Italy. In many cases you'll be travelling via Freccia (fast) trains which require compulsory reservations, and you'll have to pay the reservation fees separately (about €10 PP). DON'T be caught without a valid reservation, or you may face a hefty fine which will be collected on the spot! The same fines may also result if travelling via a Regionale train (no reservations required) and tickets haven't been validated in the yellow machine. You can research all of your rail trips using the TRENITALIA website. Could you clarify a few details? For example: > How are you getting to Modena? > Are you travelling straight from Modena to Amalfi? > Are you staying in Santa Margherita Ligure OR in the Cinque Terre (S. Margherita is not "officially" part of the C.T.)? > Are you referring to the small town of Montefiridolfi? Good luck with your planning!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Cher, Canareggio is a neighborhood of Venice, and I suspect Montefiridolfi (?) doesn't have it's own train station, either. Postal codes (00185) will not help you with train reservations. The train station in Venice is Santa Lucia (not Mestre). The main station in Florence is Santa Maria Novella - another station in Florence might be closer to your destination. You might consider visiting Orvieto as a day trip from Rome and not have to make several train changes to get to/from Orvieto and Amalfi/Santa Margherita. Don't spend the extra money on a railpass in Italy, point to point tickets are much less expensive. Some regional trains may not have first class options or reserved seats, but I've just returned from high season travel in Italy and only once was a train filled to capacity with a few people standing. The Trenitalia website will give you times, routes, and pricing information, but may not show all regional train options. Have a great trip!