regional and intercity trains

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=adeebd6bc1abf310VgnVCM1000008916f90aRCRD

You are still unable to use the site?

Robert,
I guess I just feel so overwhelmed looking at the whole page. I could wait till we get to each town to buy the next ticket but I thought it would be so easy just to ask for the train number. Some of the agents just don't seem to patient with questions, I'm sure it's due to the long lines. I'm just getting nervous and wanting to eliminate any problems - bet I'm making a big deal over something so simple.

Jo, just go to the trenitalia website, enter the dates and time you wish to travel, along with the Italian city names and the train schedule will pop up. You can easily write down which trains you're interested in. You don't have to buy the tickets online but you will certainly be able to get the schedule and then can make plans for travel. This is very easy so you shouldn't stress about it.

donna

Using the DB website you can also get the train number. Just pull up a results page and click on the details icon and click on the train number and you get all the details of that train.

I'm on the site....I have to use a password? Thanks for trying to help, I'll have to take my time and really study it

which site did you decide to use?

You don't need a password just to explore schedules/train numbers on Trenitalia: just enter your station of departure, station of arrival (use the Italian names for the stations: we can help if you're confused), date of departure, and desired time of departure.

In most of the larger train stations, tickets can be purchased from agents at ticket windows, or machines with directions in English.

If I have several tickets to purchase I try to purchase them at one time (you can buy any ticket to any Italian destination at any train station in Italy that is staffed or has a kiosk that takes euro), to avoid multiple lines. Large stations have a customer care office or information window.

If you decide to wait until you get to Italy, every train station has yellow posters behind glass that give the entire departures schedule for that train station; they are arranged by time of day and then by train number. The description will tell you if it is a regionale, regionale veloce, intercity, or one of the freccia trains. There will also be a list of every stop that train makes, with the departure time for that station. The only thing that may vary is the track (binario) number. (I take an iPad photo of the schedule so I have it for reference if I'm not sure when I want to depart.) After you locate the time and destination (could be one of the intermediate stops, the final stop will be in bold at the top of the description) you want, you can purchase the ticket at a kiosk (make sure it takes euro) or at a staffed ticket window.

Note that regionale trains do not have departure time information printed on them, since they are valid for a couple of months from the date of purchase. Once you convalidate the ticket, it is valid for several hours.

Jo,

As the others have mentioned, you don't need to phone Trenitalia for information as the information is all on their website. It's very easy to research trips, as all the necessary information is provided.

If you could list the trips you're planning to take, I'm sure the helpful group here will be able to offer lots of tips and suggestions.

You may cringe but there is a reason for this itinerary Venice to Bolzano, Bolzano to Castelrotto, Bolzano to Bologna, Bologna to Ravenna, Ravenna to San Marino, San Marino to Manarola, Manarola to Siena, Siena to Rome, Rome to Sorrento. I see the backtracking ...are we crazy??

If you are looking at Regionale trains, DONOT buy the ticket on line. It isn't cheaper and the ticket comes pre-validated with a five hour window which defeats the purpose of buying a regionale ticket.

Trenitalia is very easy to use to find scheduling information. So not sure why you are using a password. That is unnecessary. Start your search at 00.00 and you can see every train, train number, schedule for 24 hours.

Thanks everyone, you guys are great...I'm going to wait and buy as we go

Jo,

If that's the Itinerary you want to follow, here are a few comments on the transportation.....

• Venice to Bolzano - there are a few direct trains on that route, however you'll likely be using a combination of two trains (ie: Regionale and InterCity), with a change at Verona Porta Nuova.
• Bolzano to Castelrotto - After arrival in Bolzano, you'll need to take the Bus to Castelrotto. The Bus station is two or three blocks (as I recall, you turn left after exiting the station and walk through the small park on Viale della Stazione and then turn left again on Via Perathoner).
• Bolzano to Bologna - you'll first need to take the Bus from Castelrotto back to Bolzano. There are a few direct trains from Bolzano to Bologna, and the 11:31 departure is one of earliest (arriving Bologna Centrale at 14:07). The direct trains have the quickest travel time.
• Bologna to Ravenna - that's a very easy trip, about an hour (I travelled that route last year). Most of the trains on that route will be Regionale, so DON'T forget to validate your tickets prior to boarding on the day of travel. I'd suggest leaving a bit of extra time, as the station in Bologna was under construction last year so finding your way around could take a bit longer.
• Ravenna to San Marino - I'll leave the details on that to one of the others, as I've never been to San Marino. The bahn website shows that trip is about 4.5 to 7 hours, with two or three changes.
• San Marino to Manarola - again, I'll leave the details to one of the others. The website shows a trip of about 7.5 hours with four changes.
• Manarola to Siena - that's not a difficult trip but it will take about four hours with about three changes.
• Siena to Rome - on that route, you'll have a choice. The quickest trip will likely be Regionale to Florence and then Freccia to Roma Termini. Check the schedules for details.
• Rome to Sorrento - You'll first travel from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale via Freccia high speed. When you arrive in Naples, go downstairs to the Garibaldi station and buy tickets on the Circumvesuviana commuter train. They have frequent departures and tickets are cheap. Be sure to watch your luggage in the station and on the train as there will likely be scammers about. Note - some people prefer to use a car service from Naples to Sorrento and while that's a more expensive option, it's certainly a more comfortable one. I believe there are details in the Guidebook on reliable drivers.

Where are you going after Sorrento?

Ravenna --> Rimini by train
Rimini --> S. Marino by bus
It should be 2-2.5 hours depending on how timetables of train and bus coordinate.