Traveling from Venice to Rome - suggestion as to what train to take? (1st class to reserve seat?)
Traveling from Rome to Naples - suggestion what train to take?
Suggestion what company to use for ferry ride from Naples to Capri
and then from Capri to Positano - any suggestions which boat company to use? Buy tickets ahead of time?
I booked via Trenitalia.it
The non stop from Venice St. Lucia to Roma Termini is on the Frecciarossa. We did not have 1st class nor reserved seats and it was fine. We were on platform and boarded early so we had our pick of seats. No tickets, just a reservation code/barcode on phone or email to show conductor.
Rome Termini to Napoli Centrale: we took the Frecciarossa again (only 1 hr as compared to others) non stop. Make sure to book as early as possible for best price.
I can't say for ferry to Capri from Naples as we took the regional Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento then ferry to Capri for day trip. What an experience that was.
We did not have 1st class nor reserved seats and it was fine. We were
on platform and boarded early so we had our pick of seats.
???? Regardless of class (and lowest class is fine, IMHO) all 'faster' classes of trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca & InterCity) have reserved, assigned seating, or did last I knew, anyway.
It really doesn't matter what train you take as long as the departure/arrival time/cost works for you. Check schedules on Trenitalia (Italy's national rail service) and Italo (a private, high-speed rail service to larger cities only/competitive prices). You will want 'fast' trains for the Venice to Rome and Rome to Naples journeys, not slower regionale trains (those do not have seat assignments).
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
https://www.italotreno.it/en
Nice price breaks are usually available if booking in advance but do read carefully what sort of changes you are and are not allowed to make and/or the costs involved in doing so depending on what sort of ticket you purchase. For instance, super economy tickets for Trenitalia 'fast' trains do not allow refunds, changes or access to a different train than the specific one purchased for.
https://www.trenitalia.com/en/offers.html
A very good intro to Italian trains:
https://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm
As far as ferries to Naples>Capri, Capri>Positano, again, it really doesn't matter what company. Choose by desired departure times. While the coast will still be busy in early October, you likely don't need to pre-reserve tickets but I'd get in line early if taking last boats out.
I second Seat61.com as a great site for information -- I have no association with the website, but I've been reading it a lot lately as I prepare for my trip to Italy in October. I will be taking at least 5 train trips during my vacation (Rome to Padua, Padua to Genoa, Genoa to Florence, Florence to Naples, Naples to Rome), and I will be buying my tickets in advance because of the financial benefit I can get by buying in advance.......except I am not reserving a train for the trip I will need on the first day I arrive, in case my flight or transit through the airport is delayed. I will just pay a little bit more and buy it in person when I get to the station.
....except I am not reserving a train for the trip I will need on the
first day I arrive, in case my flight or transit through the airport
is delayed.
A wise decision! 👍
Seat61.com is a great resource. I would also agree with others that it is wise not to reserve train tickets for your day of arrival..too risky. I generally do not buy tickets in advance unless I am absolutely certain of my schedule and/or there are only limited numbers of trains going to my destination.
