Railpass/Flexipass?

Point-to-point tickets in Italy are cheaper and easier about 95% of the time.

Especially if you can take advantage of the mini fares. But check it out for yourself by doing the math. Price p2p and compare.

What are mini fares? Basically our trains are Rome to Venice; Venice to Florence; Florence to La Spezia (Cinque Terre); possibly La Spezia to Pisa & back on a day trip; La Spezia back to Florence. Ignoring the Pisa side-tripping, I seem to come up to around 150 euros, or about $204 dollars. Which makes the 2nd class saver pass mentioned on the site about a wash. When the grid talks about things like "4 days in 2 months" does that mean only 1 trip can occur a day? So the whole Pisa side trip would be out of the allowed rides?

Chip, people have written books about whether or not to use a rail pass in Italy. One part of the price puzzle you're forgetting is that on any train in Italy - except Regionale or local trains - you need a seat reservation. Your rail pass price does not include this fee. Seat reservations, depending on the type of train you're riding, can runs as high as €10 per leg, per person - which would probably be the trains you'd ride Rome to Venice, and Venice to Florence, at minimum. So there are additional costs to factor in. If you don't mind locking in specific dates, days, or trains, then read about the Trenitalia MINI promotion here. The MINI fares can often save you 30-60% OFF the Base fare pricing... which quickly negates any price advantage a rail pass may have. And all fares purchased through the Trenitalia system INCLUDE seat reservations (in the price). Using a rail pass, you have to pay extra for these "seat" reservations. With a rail pass you get convenience and flexibility. On the Regionale trains, that's true in Italy. But on those trains requiring a seat reservation (perhaps 70% of the system?) you'd have to go to a kiosk or counter and purchase a seat reservation BEFORE you can get on that train - so in Italy the rail passes are not as convenient to use as in other countries. And the Regionale trains are so inexpensive, it does not make sense to buy a rail pass to use on them. Again, RS has a whole section on rail passes... but as recommended, P2P would probably be cheaper. The best way to find out is get out the calculator and compare the costs - but don't forget the seat reservation fees (or the opportunity to use MINI fares).

thanks ron. very helpful. I briefly looked at the mini fares and I think that would work for us. We know what days we are going from city to city, so I have no problem locking in dates.

Not only do you need to lock in dates you must also lock in times. The mini fares have very strict change rules so if you miss your train your ticket is worthless. If you are sure you can make a specific train then you can save a lot of money by using the mini fares. I tend to look at them like airline tickets, I get there early so I don't miss the flight. I don't take chances. I do the same when I buy mini fares. I get to the train station about half hour before the scheduled departure so I know I am on the train when it leaves. Its really as simple as that. Donna