Rome: Train to Orvieto - Regional / Intercity - any real difference?

Posted by Glenn (St Pete, FL) on 04/18/14 07:48 PM

Hi Folks,

Heading to Rome Monday evening with my daughter, and will be taking a day trip towards the end of the week to Orvieto. Been there before, but drove last time. Taking the train, I noticed on Trenitalia, that there is a regional train with 5 stops to Orvieto, total travel time 1:16 (seems like 1:23 for way back on regional). Intercity train, Orvieto is 2nd stop, and total time 1:13. So from a schedule perspective, regional, while considerably cheaper, is only 3 minutes longer.

Are there any other differences I should know about that would drive a decision on either?

Thanks!

Glenn

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

04/18/14 07:59 PM

16240 posts

Yes. The price.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

04/18/14 09:05 PM

32405 posts

Glenn,

If you decide to take the Regionale, DON'T forget to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train on the day of travel. Failure to do so will likely result in expensive fines, which will be collected on the spot!

If you decide to take the Intercity, a compulsory reservation is required (that will be included with the ticket) which is specific to a particular train, date and departure time. If you miss the train listed on your ticket, you can not just hop on the next one, as again you'll be subject to hefty fines collected on the spot!

Posted by RnR

The Hague, NL (AMS)

04/18/14 10:29 PM

2207 posts

And with the reservation Ken mentions on the Intercity... you get an assigned seat!
On the Regionale train, it's open seating - first come, first sat... so on a crowded train, you might be standing!

Posted by Zoe

Toledo, Ohio, US

04/18/14 11:40 PM

11613 posts

I always take the regionale train, second class, have never had to stand but it could happen.

Posted by Devon

Ballwin

04/19/14 12:04 AM

833 posts

I agree with Zoe. I haven't had a problem taking 2nd class Regionale. For just a 3 minute difference, I wouldn't want to pay any extra. That choice is yours, though, of course!

Posted by Larry

Elk Grove, CA, USA

04/19/14 12:35 AM

6898 posts

Glenn, the Regionale train is just fine. It's only an hour ride. Plus, when you buy the Regionale train ticket in Italy, it's an open ticket from Rome to Orvieto for 60 days. You can jump on any Regionale train making that run during the 60 days. No seat reservations on the Regionale train. And I wouldn't worry about a full train. This train most likely originates in Rome and is empty. Just get there a bit earlier and you won't have any problems getting a seat. With the intercity train, you certainly can buy the ticket and get on. But, the ticket is for a specific train, departing at a specific time on a specific day. You have to be on that train. Not a problem. If it's just for the one hour ride, the Regionale train is a lot easier. The fare is 7,50Euro for the Regionale and 16,00Euro for the Intercity. The Intercity train will get you there up to 14 minutes faster. You get to decide if 8,50Euro is worth 14 minutes on some runs and as few as 3 minutes on others.

Posted by Glenn OP

St Pete, FL

04/19/14 12:39 AM

216 posts

Thanks for the replies!

Glenn

Posted by Carol

Martinez, CA, USA

04/19/14 05:53 PM

1558 posts

We also used the Regionale with no issue other than on our train the conductor did not call out the stations. It was dark and we didn't know where we were. We were able to ask a fellow rider who, it turned out, was getting off in Orvieto and felt a little better. So if you have a chance, count out the number of stops between your starting point and Orvieto just as a back up so you know when to start getting ready to leave the train.