What's the best way for me to get my family of 4, including a 4 year old and 7 month old from Rome to Siena during a train strike? We didn't bring car seats intentionally. As I understand it coaches like Flexbus require a car seat for the 7 month old. I'm currently leaning towards buying a car seat and Flexbus tickets, but I'm looking for alternatives that maybe less of a headache.
Posted by
Grande prairie., Alberta, Canada
96 posts
What time are you looking to leave Rome?
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Our train was planned for ~12:30 pm, but we're up to leaving earlier in the day.
Posted by
Grande prairie., Alberta, Canada
96 posts
I believe if your train is cancelled they should give you an alternative option. Have you heard from the train company.
Posted by
107 posts
Since there are no direct trains from Rome to Siena I guess you are taking a Freccia train to Florence SM Novella station and a local Regionale to Siena. The local trains won't run before 18:00, but the Freccias and Italotreno's will.
So You can take a train that arrives in Florence well before 12:00. Then Exit Florence station, cross the road and take one of the guaranteed 131R Bus to Siena that depart at 12:05 or at 13:05. I wouldn't risk on a later bus.
Otherwise you take a later high speed train from Rome to Florence and get on the guaranteed local trains to Siena that leave at 18:10, 19:10 and 20:10. The 18:10 will be a zoo.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
We are taking the 12:43 train from Roma Tiburtina to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme then the 15:11 to Siena. We haven't heard anything from the train company at this point.
Posted by
107 posts
Because you are taking a guaranteed train, IC590. But once in Chiusi you'll have to hope for a Regionale to Siena to run before 18:00 notwithstanding the strike.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
2123 posts
Please note that from the legal point of view, a strike is considered almost as an "act of God" like an earthquake or a storm or a landslide. The train company cannot tell in advance how many workers will go on strike and if they can really run trains or not; so, apart from the list of guaranteed trains, whose workers cannot go on strike, the company is never going to tell anything in advance; any decision will be taken on the spot, after checking if workers are really on strike. If your train does not run you may be entitled to a refund, but not to alternative transportation.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I appreciate everyone's input, we've decided to buy a second-hand car seat and book Flexbus tickets to get to Siena.
Posted by
North Carolina
9 posts
It is possible to hire a private chauffeur or taxi for the trip - very expensive. If you do, you would probably save a great deal by contacting a company in Siena rather than Rome. We have done this, so I know it can be done, but damned expensive.
Posted by
107 posts
Micheal has tickets for a guaranteed train from Rome to Chiusi Chianciano Terme. They could have hired a private driver in Chiusi without breaking the bank and without staying hours on a bus. Now it's late.