My husband and I plan to travel for 2 weeks in Rome and Campania, then join a tour of Sicily in late October. Currently we have tickets for 2nd class intercity train from Paestum to Cefalu, where we plan to spend 2 nights 1 day before heading to Palermo to join tour. It is a 10 hour trip, including 2 hour stayover in Sapri. I could not find a first class ticket. Our tickets were very cheap, 24 E each, not changeable and non refundable.
Other travel forums have sugested that this will be very uncomfortable and we should consider ferry Salerno to Palermo, a 12 hour trip arriving just before midnite, or easy jet from naples.
? Is a second class interregional train VERY uncomfortable? Worse than Amtrak, which is not bad in my opinion? Similar to Megabus or a tight US plane seat? Is it worth abandoning train tickets because the ferry is more comfortable?
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Two couples on my Sicily tour took the Intercity train to and from Sicily. They commented that while the train ride was long, they enjoyed it and didn't regret their decision to travel by train. Seats on Intercity trains are usually less comfortable than on Freccia trains, but I wouldn't call them uncomfortable or tight.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, 98117
20 posts
We took the train from Rome to Taormina/Giardini-Naxos several years ago. The train seats were comfortable and the car new - the only hitch was that the air conditioning stopped working for long periods of time. It was July, so this was very difficult. Even if that were to happen to you, it wouldn't be so bad in October. Going the other direction on the overnight train was excruciatingly awful. Definitely wouldn't take the overnight again.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15161 posts
Your trip will be mostly on an IC (intercity) train, I presume.
Check the webpage below and scroll down to see what the IC trains look like inside.
The Regionale trains are also pictured. You will be on a Regionale from Paestum to Sarpi.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks alot for your feedback.
Posted by
Washington DC
27104 posts
I had the same "excruciatingly awful" night-train experience Carol did. The problem seemed to be tracks that weren't very smooth. Result: It was completely impossible for me to fall asleep. I don't remember being uncomfortable when the compartment was made up for sitting rather than sleeping. I wouldn't hesitate to take a day train on that route.
I'm not sure what sort of food service you'll have, if any, so I'd pack a lot of water and some healthy food.
Posted by
San Mateo, CA, USA
257 posts
I took the train from Catania to Rome after the Sicily tour and yes it was a long day, but very relaxing and I wasn't in a hurry to get to Rome. It was a day Intercity train. Second class is just fine on these trains. It's not worse than Amtrak, I was totally comfortable for the 9 hour ride to Rome. Best part was the train being put on a ferry across the Straits of Messina. Beautiful views from the ferry and a snack bar on board. You are able to get out of the car and go up on deck. As far as the train itself, unless things have changed, these intercity train have no food services on board. I was told about that beforehand and brought onboard my own food and drink in Catania. Many other italians traveling also had their own food and drink also. if you have time and are not in a hurry to get to Cefalu, by all means enjoy the train. And I could only find about an hour layover in Sapri on day trains (assuming you are traveling during the day). Would agree with other posters about night trains. Have not heard from many who liked it.