So I am planning a trip to Italy in September, and my current itinerary has me flying from VCE-FCO late in the month. Given the fact that Alitalia won't be a going concern very shortly after that, is it even wise to book this flight? (even fully refundable). I checked the Trenitalia schedule, and there doesn't seem to be a direct train to Rome from Venice. Flying would save a few hours. But I'm wondering whether I should book with Alitalia at all.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1880 posts
Perhaps trenitalia has not released their fall schedule. In any case it appears that Italo has two trains on it’s schedule. At least for sep 29. 4 hours. One departs early 7 and the other around 3 pm.
Posted by
OP
Toronto
139 posts
Right, thanks. Forgot about Italo! I'll check their schedule out.
Posted by
Sweden
6850 posts
No, you should take the train. Flying would not save any time. There are direct high speed trains in less than 4 hours, but you need to wait a bit for the September tickets to go on sale.
Posted by
OP
Toronto
139 posts
Thanks for the replies. Yes, Italo seems to have trains that meet my needs. Think I'll go with them.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15838 posts
Trenitalia has a direct Freccia train from Venezia SL to Roma Termini every hour. Italotreno has on average 4 a day each direction.
You just need to wait for the new Fall Schedule to be released.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23548 posts
When you ask about direct trains are asking about trains that are straight through with no train changes or are you asking about train that makes no stops in between? I doubt if flying would save any time especially if you factor in the time getting to and from city centers and security checks.
Posted by
Tucson
4180 posts
What Roberto da Firenze said. If you're just a little more patient, the Trenitalia schedule will be loaded. That will give you more options, with a possibly more convenient arrival point in Rome and maybe cheaper Freccia prices.
I've taken the fast Freccia train that goes from Roma Termini to Venezia SL. I got off in Bologna. There are stops along the route, but there is no need to change trains.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7899 posts
We too have Italy planned for September, and while not looking at Alitalia, we are looking at a couple flights, and some rail tickets. But to be honest, I am hesitant to book anything that is nonrefundable at this point, given recent rises in covid rates in France, Spain, Portugal, now I hear Greece, and even Italy is looking at moving several regions back to amber. Couple that with the fact that, well, ignorance is the only way to put it, Vaccination rates in the US have stalled, and a more than expected outcome of quickly rising cases in 49 of 50 States may put the US back into the "High Risk" category if we are not careful.
I am still optimistic that all will be fine, but have stopped making too many reservations (really have stopped after my first couple nights hotel) until closer to the date, and am willing to wing it if I am at least able to get to Italy on September 5/6.
Apologize for potentially hijacking the thread, but still related to the OP's concern.
Posted by
OP
Toronto
139 posts
This is why I asked, and I thank everyone for their response. I will almost certainly now book a train rather than a flight with Alitalia. I have had previous experience with airlines going bankrupt and not offering compensation (Latam for example)
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
You can't see Trenitalia's September schedules because they are worried of the country going back to orange and, possibly, red. They are worried of having to process hundreds of thousands of refunds again.
If Italy will stay white, in September Trenitalia will run the same number of trains they are running in July and August. Why shouldn't they? If people can move, trains run and Trenitalia makes money. Why Give their market share as a present to Italotreno?
I will almost certainly now book a train
Are there discounted tickets on Sale "Now"? If not I'd wait.