Train questions, new travelers to Italy

1. If going from A to D, you buy a ticket from A to D and not the in-between train changes. I think you are all on Regional trains - no reservations so you just get on and go.

2. Generally 15 minutes is more than adequate to change trains comfortable. In smaller stations you can do less. However, if you are checking bags, I schedule an hour just in case there are lines at the luggage hold.

3. First off, riff raff is a pretty arrogant attitude on your part. Some locals might think you are the riff raff. First class will only have folks that can afford first class. If that is important to you, chose first class. I will not be riding with you since I normal do second class as it is more than adequate for my travels. There are three levels of tickets -- Super Econ, Economy, and Base. The first two are discount tickets with restrictions and limited availability. And two levels of seating -- First and second class. Second class is 2x2 and first is 1x2 with only limited additional space between seats. There are a couple of variations in first depending on services provide but basically it is only the seat configuration that is different.

Q1) You normally just buy one ticket from A to B, no matter how many trains are involved. It is easier that way.

Q2) When you look up times on the train company website they have a minimum change time set for each station, depending on the size of the station. 5, 10 or 15 mins. are typical minimums, depending on station size. So again, you just look up A to B, no matter how many trains are involved, and it will give you what it considers an adequate change time.
Those times assume normal mobility. If you for example have a wheelchair-bound traveller, or someone very slow, you can usually set extra time in your search criteria.
But, you say you want to put your luggage in storage in Florence (and presumably collect it on the way back). I would then allow 1 hour to do this (there may be a wait). And check opening times and look up where the left luggage office is, how long to walk there?

Q3) Which train website? You should be looking at the Trenitalia (Italian Railways) one: http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en
Standard, premium, base, economy ARE NOT classes of travel, they are ticket price levels.
There are two classes, first and second. you can get Standard, premium, base, economy tickets in both classes. The cheapest ones sell out first, leaving only the more expensive ones nearer the travel date. "base" is the most expensive one and usually the only one available for purchase on the day.
Just like on a plane, you may have got a cheap economy ticket, and the person sitting in the identical seat next you you may have paid more for his "base" ticket.

Q4) Read this webpage: https://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm

Chris is wrong on no. 3. Standard and premium are classes of seats. Economy and Base are fare levels.

1. When you buy tickets in Venice, even if you buy from Venice to Pisa, you will receive two tickets, like two boarding passes on a plane. The second ticket Firenze Pisa is on a Regionale. You can use it on any train to Pisa that day. You must remember to date stamp it before boarding the train in Florence. If you prepurchase the train ticket online to get a discount, I would prepurchase only the Venice to Florence portion. There is no reason to buy Florence to Pisa ahead of time. All trains from Florence to Pisa are Regionali commuter trains, 2nd class only with no discounts even if purchased ahead. Buy that portion in either Venice or Florence stations. As I said you can use the ticket Florence Pisa on any train that day, so you can be delayed as much as necessary at the luggage depot in Florence. Just take the first train to Pisa when done. You must validate the Florence to Pisa ticket before boarding. Validating means date stamp at the machines. See video linked here. https://youtu.be/X0EdcvG002A
2. It doesn’t matter. With a separate ticket to Pisa you get on any Regionale train that day. When you are done with the luggage depot you go. There are 56 trains a day going to Pisa, basically 3 to 5 per hour. REMEMBER TO VALIDATE BEFORE BOARDING.
3. Standard, Premium, Business, Executive are CLASSES of service, like Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First class on an airplane. These classes apply only to the high speed Frecciarossa from Venice to Florence. Standard is the lowest class, which is as comfortable as business class on a plane. I travel Standard. There is no riff raff on Frecciarossa trains. High speed tickets are too expensive for the riff raff. BASE, ECONOMY, SUPERECONOMY, are Fare levels. Base is full price, Economy and Supereconomy are discounted fares. They have nothing to do with class of service. You could buy an Executive seat at the economy fare.
4. The luggage depot in Florence is at platform number 16, the last one on the northeast side of the station. The trains to Pisa depart from no. 4 and 5, which end half way on the opposite side, so it’s a 5+ min walk.

Just did a quick check of schedules. It will be a combination of Frecciarossa and Regional train. If you book A to D, the ticket will assume normal change time and probably not enough to store your luggage. Therefore, you book a ticket to Florence, check your luggage and buy a separate Regional ticket to Pisa at the time you buy your first ticket. The Freciarossa will have assigned seat in a number car. The Regional ticket is an open ticket - that is - good on any Regional train headed in the correct direction. BUT - that ticket has to be validate (time stamped) prior to boarding to make it a VALID ticket. Since storing luggage is a major, unpredictable event, you should buy two tickets.

First or executive are definitely worth it in my opinion but book within your budget. We like to relax in the lounge before we leave, WiFi, coffee and snacks and comfy chairs make it worth the price for us, but again, regular second or third class on European trains are fine and most have outlets and plenty of room.

As far as time between trains it depends on your mobility and abilities and the station. Small stations five to ten minutes would be fine. Larger stations you’d be better with at least 20 minutes. But again depends on your mobility.

Use his site, it is a really good guide.
https://www.seat61.com

Riff raff. Really? It’s American slobs I try to avoid when in Europe.

Question 3 - taking the train in Italy is as common as us hopping in our car in the US. No worries; I always just reserve the cheaper class unless it’s only a few Euros difference.

Question 4 - you will be handling your own luggage on & off the train. When you’re boarding, look at the train car #’s next to the doors to step into the specific one that is on your ticket, so you can sit down quickly and avoid blocking the aisles. Everyone appreciates people loading and unloading quickly. Carry on suitcases can be placed on the ledge over your seat, larger suitcases have to go at the ends of the train cars.

Riding the trains is easy, and we enjoy the relaxing time between locations to firm up our plans for the day, read a book or listen to music.

Ok what I meant by riff raff is pickpockets. That's all.

If you are a target for pickpockets, it will be before you get on the train. Second, if the train starts at a station (as opposed to pass through the station), then the train is available for boarding for a much longer period -- maybe 30 minutes or more -- so it is possible that someone could be working the train then but the probability is very low. The "biggest threat ??" is the fake train workers who may assist you with your luggage and expect a generous tip in response. Again, that is most likely when starting at a station and not passing through. When the train is passing through a station, everyone is very concerned about getting on and off and you better hurry 'cause time is short. And, of course, the best defense is not to have anything handy that the pickpocket can get to easily. Remember, if you can easily get to it, then the it is just as easy for the pickpocket. Pickpocket are not the problem that lot of people like to imply. For us, a concern -- yes --- A problem -- no.

So if you were a pickpocket you'd choose to work on the cars where seats are cheaper? I hope you fall into another category of riff-raffs, as a pickpocket you wouldn't make a lot of money.

A few additional points about the regional train tickets for the Florence-Pisa portion of the trip.

If you buy a Venice to Pisa ticket online, the regional ticket will be pre-validated. You can use it for any Florence to Pisa regional train that day during a 4 hour period beginning with the time on the ticket. That gives you plenty of time to check your luggage and board a regional train to Pisa.

If you buy a Venice to Pisa ticket at a station in Italy, you'll receive an unvalidated regional train ticket and will need to validate it shortly before boarding the Florence to Pisa train.

If you buy only a Venice to Florence ticket online, you can buy both your Florence to Pisa and Pisa to Florence tickets from a ticket kiosk at Florence SMN train station. The kiosks are very easy to use and will even ask if you want to buy the return ticket. Be sure to validate your ticket to Pisa, and be sure not to validate the return ticket until shortly before boarding the train back to Florence.

If you want to educate yourself about European trains, read through this: https://www.seat61.com

As for the riff raff comment- I suggest you choose your words more carefully in future - especially once you are in Europe, or you may find yourself similarly branded. And FWIW, in the words of Inigo Montoya " I do not think that word means what you think it means".

Thank you for all of your detailed responses. They are very helpful. One day I hope I can be as knowledgeable as you.
To those who are offended by my desire to avoid disreputable people while on the train, I am sorry. I keep hearing about how there are pickpockets everywhere, so of course, I want to try to minimize any situations. I am looking in to the various money belts, bags with un-slashable bottoms, etc. And most of all just not bringing anything considered valuable unless absolutely necessary. I have never been abroad, and part of the reason is the vast amount of information needed to successfully pull off such a vacation. I have many things to plan for my family right now, and deciding to take this trip to Italy is a huge undertaking. Of course it's my fault, egged on my by my daughters who want to use their passports for the first time. I probably should have planned to do this trip last summer, but I didn't. Next summer I have my oldest daughter graduating from high school then going to college somewhere. We're waiting on that to unfold. So bear with me. I do appreciate all of your information.

PS @CJean, I am a HUGE Princess Bride fan. Cheers!

Just speaking of pickpockets, I would say that I doubt trains (or even speaking of only regionale trains) would have the MOST common pick pocket scenario of a lot of people squished or bustling around you, as usually everybody finds a seat and has their own personal space there. I have only been on a few trains where there weren't enough seats, with people standing in the aisles. Just be aware of your belongings at all times, make sure your bag zippers are zipped, and you are well on you way to avoiding pickpocket situations.

Ok what I meant by riff raff is pickpockets. That's all.

As you've found "riff raff" is a loaded term that has unintended connotations.

You have good instincts though. Risk avoidance is a fundamental strategy to stay safe. Since you've never been to Europe, it's hard to get an idea of the risks you will (or won't) face. The internet is a lens on the world that distorts everything.

When discussing Europe travel with first timers, it's difficult to strike a balance between helping them be aware and prepare for potential risks without overemphasizing the actual threat. It's easy to get paranoid and see Italy as one big den of thieves. I suggest you read about scams and safety, both in the forum and in Rick Steves' books.

Two areas I'd like to emphasize are properly securing your valuables and recognizing when you are in a vulnerable situation. Follow the advice to make yourself pickpocket proof, including money belts and across-the-chest bags. My work calls for special training in situational awareness. When encountering an iconic site for the first time, it's easy to stand there dumbfounded and slack jawed. Being distracted like this makes you vulnerable. Make an effort to assess the situation and decide the best strategy to stay safe. Go on alert whenever someone invades your personal space. Sometimes the situation, such as riding on a crowded bus puts you closer to others than normal. That's a time to be extra careful.

Do what you can to be safe, but don't let fear prevent you from enjoying a wonderful new experience. Happy travels.

Detailed, I had heard so much about pickpockets and scams prior to my first trip to Italy that I was a little worried as well. While I don't want to go as far as saying the worries were completely unfounded, as crime does happen, but we did not have any issues and I would not be worried at all about going back. Be aware of your surroundings like you would in any major city and you will be fine. Since you appear to be from San Antonio, think of how you would act on the Riverwalk and surrounding historical sites. You would be aware of who is around you and maybe have a hand on your purse or shoulder bag, wearing it cross-shoulder. Same thing applies in Italy. Have a great trip!

"Since you appear to be from San Antonio, think of how you would act on the Riverwalk and surrounding historical sites. "

That is EXACTLY right, and perfect advice for someone who knows San Antonio, but has never been to Italy. Just treat Italy like the Riverwalk, and you'll be fine. Meaning, don't be paranoid, but don't just let all your guard down, either.

Now that I've seen pictures of the interior of the trains, I had to laugh a bit. I was imagining a subway train, not something that looks like the inside of an airplane.

I also have to prep my teenage daughters for self-security. Everybody has to understand the possibilities. And my husband and I will still be looking out for them also.

The one thing I would caution you to really drill into your kids is don’t take anything from anyone. People will hand you a trinket or tie a bracelet on you and guess what, you’ll be paying for it. Flowers, bracelets, trinkets, recently in Spain small kleenexpackets - handy bit no thank you! Have fun and relax though just be smart, and exactly, just like you’d do on the River Walk say during Alamo Bowl weekend.

Now that I've seen pictures of the interior of the trains, I had to laugh a bit. I was imagining a subway train, not something that looks like the inside of an airplane.

Trains are a lot more roomy than planes. And you can get up and walk around at any time, no seat belts. 2+2 seating in 2nd class and 2+1 in first. If you are a group or family, the 2-facing-2 seats across a table are to be recommende. See at 0:45-0:50 in the video below.

See this video guide (if you haven't seen it already): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4DZ-Z_6wjA
That's a "Frecciarossa" high speed train, the "regionale" are a bit more basiy, but just as roomy.

Pickpockets tend to operate in very crowded environments where people are squeezed like sardines.

Those crowded situations happen in the following circumstances:
- On city buses and city subway trains, especially at peak commute (if you can, try to avoid buses and subways at peak time. 90% of pickpockets happen on city buses or subways. Taxis and walking are your friends).
- On some Regionale trains at peak commute time (including at the Cinque Terre, where Regionali trains are packed with tourists).
- On other crowded situations, like concerts, sports events, and other events attracting lots of people.

You will unlikely run into pickpockets aboard high speed trains. They are not crowded at all and tickets are too expensive for pick pockets to buy just to hope for a hit. However sometimes there are some small crowds gathering at the doors for boarding those trains. Watch out for those situations. Pickpockets won’t get on board the train with you, but might try to mix with the group trying to get on board and stick their hand in your purse in the process. Not really common, but that’s the only time it can happen on a long distance high speed train. Once on board those trains, you will be safe. However if you use the restroom on the train, make sure someone keeps an eye on the luggage on the overhead rack, especially just before the train stops at a station. Not really likely to happen that someone takes your bag on their way out of the train while you are in the restroom, but just for extra precaution, you never know if a professional pickpocket is on that train on a trip visiting relatives somewhere.

Great information, I really appreciate all of your detailed input. I love how you all think we go to the Riverwalk all the time, lol! @LGATX that tidbit about being wary of people handing us/the girls items, that is a good one. That's just the sort of thing I need to know about.