2 Adults, (one is a senior) traveling 24 days in Italy by train and some bus. Itinerary : Milan-Lake Como-Venice/Pauda-Dolomites-Florence/Siena-Cinque Terra -Rome-Sorrento- depart from Rome. I have estimated purchasing point ti point tickets and come up with $550.00, where as a train pass is $270.00 valid for 8 travel days in on month. I am uncertain of the "reservation fee"associated with each trip. Any insights would be appreciated!
Posted by
Green Bay
20128 posts
I hope you are not using the cost map in the RS guide book for your estimates, it is high.
Edit- Here goes:
The $270 must be a per person price. I see from RS-Rail Europe page a 9-day(1 free day promotion) adult twin pass is $540 for 2 people.
Milan to Varenna is a cheap regional train and Trenord doesn't accept passes.
Milan to Venice is 75 Euro for 2 full fare, but you should be able to buy advance nonrefundable tickets for 38.
Similar situation for Padua to Dolomites, Dolomites to Florence, CT to Rome, Rome to Naples, Naples to Rome.
Venice to Padua is a cheap regional train.
Florence to CT is a cheap regional train.
Naples to Sorrento and back is a cheap regional train and Circumvesuviana doesn't accept passes.
Add reservation fees for the 6 big trips of about 100 euro total. Tickets you buy yourself have the reservation fees included in the price.
You could probably buy all your tickets, with a little advance planning for much less than $540, with the pass, you have at least another $160 of costs.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
688 posts
also, you can buy the tickets well in advance and save bunches.....the reservations for the high speed trains are approx. 10 euro I think?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
The 8-day pass is $270 per person in 2nd class or $335 in 1st plus $15 (or € 10) for each seat reservation on a longer route (4 or 5 of these). Using the Rick’s Train Travel Time & cost Map, I only estimate about $350 per person for regular (full-price) 2nd-class fares (which include seat reservations, where required). Are you stopping in Rome twice or visiting the Naples area as a daytrip from Rome?
P.S. Wednesday, 4/29, at 5 p.m. Eastern is the deadline to order an Italy Eurail Pass with an extra day (9 days at this price, instead of the usual 8 days).
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
The cost of buying tickets up to 120 days in advance varies by route, some are €9, most are €19-29, some routes are more. There are also some weekend 2-for-1 specials.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks to all who posted, looks like it 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other, I think we will opt out of pass.