Hi,
We are a family of 5 heading ( 3 kids under 12) to Italy in October. We will be traveling by trains for 16 days starting in Milan and heading to Cinque Terre or AC, Tuscany, Rome and Venice( not in that order). Traveling by train prices can add up. Do they have any family rail plans anyone know about. Any info who be helpful.. Thanks
An Italy rail pass is not typically the best value for this route, but the kids aged 4 - 11 would be named on the pass with you for free, only paying the €10 seat reservation fee on faster trains (and no reservation or ticket needed for kids under 4).
Reserved tickets to specific destinations also have a couple of different kid or family discounts offered when you buy online or in stations. Some require booking at least two days ahead and the best adult discounts further ahead. Check your travel dates at www.trenitalia.com and enter the ages of all travelers. http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/html/frecciarossa_en/Info_Tariffe_en_LeFrecce.html describes all the fares, but you'll see what's actually available in chart format when booking online.
The high speed line that connects Venice, Bologna, Florence and Rome is served also by the private competitor www.italotreno.it/en. IItalo often sells cheaper discounted tickets than Trenitalia.
Trenitalia is the only company running the direct intercity trains from Milano Centrale to Monterosso and the other 4 villages in the Cinque Terre.
When booking online via Trenitalia.com you can choose the "Bimbi Gratis" fare which includes up to 4 children <15 years old for free with each paying adult. So in theory you would search for 2 adults + 3 children, choose the Bimbi Gratis fare if offered for that leg, and then your total cost would be only for the 2 paying adults.
We did this for our student group this year and last year and every kid was free by booking 1 adult + 4 kids. It's a great bargain.
I'd do the math for each ticket - the bimbi gratis is based on the adults paying full fare. There may be times that that is the best option, there may be times that the offered discount tickets add up better.
