We will have a rental car for our 8 nights stay outside of Lucca, and plan to turn our car back in there and then take the fast train to Rome. It seems we lose a lot of time by taking the train to Florence via change in Pisa, between the ride itself and early arrival, plus cushion time to switch trains and make sure we’re to the Florence station in time for the pre-booked fast train. Would we be able to get a taxi from Lucca to the Florence station instead?
Posted by
new york
405 posts
Yes. Easy. A taxi or a private transfer.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1493 posts
Why go through Pisa? You can take a Regionale from Lucca to Florence and then the Frecciarossa to Rome - with adequate time to make the connection. As little as 3 hr 17 mins total travel time. It's easy - I've done it. Buy as a single ticket - the connection should be protected.
Posted by
OP
Ohio
78 posts
Mark - I have been told this, but have yet to find this option in my searches for the date/approximate time I need. I would just list Lucca to Rome, right?
Posted by
Lake District, England
9440 posts
You should be seeing such a connection at 31 minutes past each hour, and additionally a slightly slower version at 39 minutes past every odd hour.
Florence being Firenze in Italian
Posted by
Green Bay
22217 posts
Did you look here at the train operator's website?
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
One problem you may be having is that not all the regional trains for after June 7 are scheduled yet. That happens in Italy. Wait a few weeks before you pull the trigger on anything, when all the schedules will be up.
PS. The 2 regional trains every hour from Lucca to Florence suddenly disappear after June 7. That is a sure sign that they have not been officially scheduled yet. They will get scheduled, but maybe not until just before June 7. That is the Italian way.
Posted by
OP
Ohio
78 posts
Am I ok to wait to book the fast train? ( until options appear after June 7) Or will prices go way up? I had read 30 days out at least for pricing. I have been using the trenitalia site and morning departure options are all 4-5 hours and most have the 2 changes (some only allowing 7 minutes, which definitely makes me nervous).
Posted by
Green Bay
22217 posts
The cost of regional trains is always the same. You could book the Freccia train from Florence now, and buy the regional ticket later when they become available. Slight risk is that if there is a delay in your regional train, the Freccia connection is not protected. But look at this way. a 2nd class Base fare for Florence to Rome is 50 EUR. That is the maximum you would pay, even if you bought a ticket just before departure. Looking at July 10, a Super Economy, nonrefundable ticket is 29.90 EUR. So the most you would save booking now is 20 EUR.
Bottom line, I would wait until June when the schedule is finalized.