My daughter and I will be taking our first trip to Italy at the end of August. We will need to take the train from Rome to Monterosso. Since we've never traveled in Italy before, I'm concerned about picking a train that has too many changes. There is a one change route on the Trenitalia site that goes straight from Rome to La Spezia Centrale, however we either have to leave Rome really early at 6:15 am arriving around 10:17 or leave at noon arriving at 4pm. We only have two nights in Monterosso, so we'd like as much time as possible in town. We'll be staying at a hotel that can hold our bags for the day. Should we pick the least amount of train changes and pick one of these times or are the other routes going through Florence easy enough to navigate? Is the 6:15 am train crazy to take from Rome while on vacation? I have no idea how early we need to leave our Airbnb in Rome to get to the train station and make sure we find the right platform. Any advice would be helpful!
Posted by
Wengen
2539 posts
There are a lot of options that only require one change. Your problem is that you are worrying about an train in August when it is only May.
Have a look at this week's schedule. Pick the same day of week as your intended travel date. You will see that there are quire a few options with only one change, and with the second train always a regional train. Since tickets for regional trains are flexible you do not need to worry about that part. If you miss a connection you take the next one.
For example there are departures at 9:57 and 11:57, with one change at La Spezia.
In summer that 9:57 even stops in Monterosso, giving you a one seat ride at a comfortable time. But you cannot book that train yet, so you will have to wait a bit. I have the impression that not all coastal IC/FB services are open for booking in August yet. Looking it July I see a Base price for the 9:57 of 45,50. and an advance price of 19,90, and even only 24,90 in first class.
So I would wait till late June, and then book the direct IC 510 service that leaves at 9:57. I have been on that train a few weeks ago. It is a nice train. No restaurant, but there is a coffee vending machine. Take a pic nic with you, and try to sit on the left side in the direction of travel, as the route has some quite scenic parts.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1207 posts
Look at Intercity 510 - it leaves Termini at 9:57 - one change in La Spezia - arrive in Monterosso at 14:38.
If you need to arrive earlier, going through Florence may be your best option - look at Frecciarossa 9490, leaves Termini at 8:35 - changes in Florence and Pisa - arrives Monterosso 12:53.
There are plenty of YouTube videos illustrating train travel in Italy and navigating Termini and Firenze. You may also want to scope out Termini the day before to learn your way around.
Ask your lodging host in Rome how early you should leave for Termini - a cab most likely the fastest way to get there. Err to arrive early and grab a coffee and brioche upstairs.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much for the information, it is really helpful. Please tell me how far in advance we should purchase train tickets. We need a train from Rome to Monterosso and then to Florence a few days later. Also, it would be great to know how far in advance we should book tours for the big attractions in Rome and Florence. Thanks!
Posted by
Wengen
2539 posts
Train tickets should be bought at the latest before you board the train. For long distance trains you can save money booking in advance though. See the prices I give you for IC 510. And since long distance trains have compulsory reservations it is possible for a train to be fully booked. However that does not happen often.
For regional trains just buy tickets on the day of travel, either at the station, or with the Trenitalia App. Trains are mass transit, used by normal people to go about their every day business. Very few people know now already what they will be up to in August, so buying tickets close to departure is the norm, not the exception.
Non Europeans however often appear to suffer from Seat Anxiety when it comes to trains. You should not let that overcome you. Train travel is pretty trivial.
So buy the ticket for Rome to Monterosso on IC 510 in about 4 weeks or so. Tickets for that train are already available for July, but not yet for August. Monterosso - Firenze just buy locally. Where are you going after Firenze?
What you can do is just look at www.trenitalia.com and pick dates in this week. Look at train times and prices. And call up the details. If the only prices you see are "ordinaria" then those are trains you do not need to buy tickets for in advance. If you see economy and super economy (those are fare levels, not accomodation levels) offered you know that these are trains that you can get discounted fares on. Base is available up to the moment of travel, economy and supereconomy fares you need to buy in advance.