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Rome/Florence: Huge Difference in Train Fares

Posted by (Los Angeles) on

The Eurostar train between Rome and Florence now costs two and one-half times that of the slow "Regionale" train: 39.90 Euros versus a mere 16.10 Euros. Both fares are for second class. Travel time is 100 minutes on the Eurostar versus 230 minutes on the "Regionale."

A "compromise" solution is to take one of the "Intercity" trains, which cost 26.50 Euros in second class. But MAKE SURE that the IC goes to Firenze S. M. Novella Station and not just to Firenze Rifredi Station. Travel time on these trains averages 170 minutes. They make four or five stops enroute.

BEWARE: MOST of the IC trains DO NOT stop at S.M. Novella Station.

COST SAVINGS: Four adults travelling together will save nearly 100 Euros by taking the Regionale versus the Eurostar!!!

Remember that there are no seat reservations on the Regionale train. However, if you board early in either Rome or Florence, you should have no problem finding a seat.

HINT: Pay 50% more and travel in a much more comfortable first class seat on the Regionale. It still costs much less than second class on the Eurostar. First class seats are wider, plusher, more comfortable (soft cloth fabric versus hard and sticky vinyl with rubber frames in second class), and they pivot forward for a modest recline (whereas second class on the Regionale does not.) There is usually only one first class railcar per Regionale train.

BEWARE: The Regionale train makes 17 stops between Roma Termini and Firenze S.M. Novella Stations. This is truly the "slow" way to travel between these two cities in Central Italy!!! By contrast, all of the Eurostar trains (save one, which stops at Arezzo) travel nonstop between Rome and Florence.

NOTE: Many travellers will elect to travel on the Eurostar because their limited vacation time is more valuable than the time lost by taking the slow train.

NOTE: The Regionale trains should all have heating and air conditioning, but there is no food or beverage service on these trains.

Posted by
15826 posts

Thank you for the heads-up. I'm going in February - yay!!! - only 4 months and 2 days to go.

Posted by
934 posts

We traveled on the eurostar and also the Intercity.On the Intercity we were able to get the Ammica discount.As far as the trains travling in second class I didnt see a great deal of dirrerence other then the price.Second class was very good in my humble opinion.

Posted by
425 posts

The "AMICA" advance purchase discount fare may be available on the IC trains if purchased as late as midnight of the day prior to travel. In most cases, however, the ticket needs to be purchased sooner to qualify for this capacity-controlled fare. Even if second class seats at the "AMICA" fare are sold out, there may be first class seats available with the discount, which don't cost much more than the "standard" second class fare!!! The "AMICA" fare also has significant restrictions, which should be understood prior to purchase. Read the rules on the Trenitalia website.

The "AV" and "ES" trains have their own advance purchase discount fares (not as generous as the "AMICA" fare), which require AT LEAST a 7-day advance purchase. This 7-day advance purchase makes these discount fares less attractive to foreign travellers on tight timeframes. Here again, there are restrictions which need to be understood prior to purchase.

Most travellers find the IC trains to be perfectly acceptable alternatives to the faster but more expensive AV/ES trains.

And I also agree that second class is fine for most people. If you have lots and lots of heavy luggage, you might consider going first class, since it is often less crowded.

If taking the IC train between Rome and Florence, WATCH OUT that five of the seven do NOT stop at Santa Maria Novella Station in Florence, but rather at the outlying Rifredi Station. You then have to take a connecting "R" train to reach S.M. Novella, which is a real pain in the b...

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