We are taking the train from Rome to Monterosso on October 2nd. On the Trenitalia site, I chose the 9:57 train (IC) with a change in La Spezia (regional).
Thanks!
I'm looking at it now. I show 2nd class advance purchase Economy fare of 21.70 euro, of which 19 euro is the Economy ticket to La Spezia, and 2.70 euro is the Regionale fare to Monterosso. Standard price is 46.20 euro, and 1st class is 46.70 Economy and 61.70 euro standard. 1st class will be bigger seats and fewer people to La Spezia. The short haul to Monterosso is all 2nd class. So if you want to save 25 euro and you know you can make the train, buy now. If in doubt, you can wait and pay full fare. If you wait until Sept 30, all the Economy seats could be sold out and you're left with full fare. I also believe it is an "online deal" only. Buying in person and you'll pay full fare. Someone correct me on that if I am in error.
In reference to your question about the difference between first and second class service - none. The "service" is going to be about the same. The big difference is that the seats are wider 2x1, instead of 2x2 in second. Surprising the distance between seats is not that much greater. First class is mostly American tourists and Italian business types. It will be quieter and sometimes nearly empty. Depending on the train you might get free wifi.
No difference in service - there is none in either, and in both you carry your own luggage.
The question is if a slightly larger seat (the standard 2nd class one is just fine) and likely fewer children in the carriage is worth €50.
The train from La Spezia to Monterosso runs about every 30 minutes, so if 6 minutes is not enough you just take the next.
I would buy the long distance ticket (Rome to La Spezia) as soon as possible and buy the ticket to Monterosso on La Spezia station. Since it is a regionale you cannot reserve a seat anyway.
Thanks for the info. I purchased the tickets from Roma to La Spezia to arrive at 13.58. We are meeting friends in the La Spezia terminal before purchasing regional tickets to Monterosso. Any suggestions on where in the terminal we can meet that will be obvious to both of us? Should we just meet at the ticket counter?
1 - 6 minutes is enough for a connection. La Spezia with small with I think 6 tracks but only 4 were being used when I was there.
