This is our first trip to Italy. Our family, 2 adults and 2 children ages 8 and 11, wish to travel from Rome to Florence on June 26th evening and then from Florence to Vencie on June 29th evening. We will be spending the morning and early afternoons sightseeing (In Rome on June 26th and in Florence June 29th) and wish to reach our destinations by 6:30 Pm. I was looking for some advice on (1) Which type of train would work for the family (2) What class tickets should I purchase. (3) Should I purchase tickets in Italy? If so how many days in advance do we need to purchase ? (3) Can I purchase both tickets -Rome to Florence and then Florence to Venice in Rome itself (4)Where should I buy the tickets ? (5) Can I pay using American credit cards at the station if I buy there or at the travel agency. (6) How much does it cost and (7) Where can I get schedules for the trains.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
1) trains differ by time of travel and hence cost. Look at the trenitalia schedule (pick a date before June 12th since schedules for later aren't up yet) to get an idea of times & prices
2) 2nd class is fine
3) definitely buy them in Italy. Train stations have automated kiosks that have an english menu and are easy to use. You can pay with bills or a credit card. If you buy a few days in advance you may be able to get some discounts; more details are on the trenitalia site
2nd 3) yes, you can buy all the tix for your journeys at one time
4) buy at any station; use the kiosk to avoid long lines for an agent
5) US credit cards work
6) look up trip prices on the trenitalia site
7) you can get schedules on the trenitalia site, although they won't be past June 12th until they update with summer train times. However there isn't that much change, so you'll get a reasonable sense of travel times and departure times if you use an earlier date of the same type (eg weekday, Sat, or Sun)
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Because travel times and not cost seem to be your most important consideration, I'd suggest 2nd class tickets on the high speed trains. Your best option may be to book both sets of tickets at the same time, which would allow you to book the latest trains arriving by 6:30 pm. You could ask your hotel to recommend a nearby travel agent, or just go to Roma Termini train station and buy your tickets there. You can usually buy tickets day of travel, but I'd recommend buying them a day in advance to maximize your chances of getting 4 seats together and minimize time constraints on your travel days. When searching schedules at www.trenitalia.it, be sure to use the Italian names of the train stations - Roma Termini, Firenze and Venezia Santa Lucia. The website will show the cost of the tickets, but the price won't include the compulsary reservation fee (probably 3 euro per ticket - i.e. 24 euro for the 2 sets of tickets).
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
High-speed EuroStar Italia trains make the run from Rome to Florence in 1hr35min. Leave Roma Termini at 16:45 and arrive at Firenze S.M.N. at 18:20.
Leave Firenze S.M.N. at 16:30 on a EuroStar Italia train and you'll arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia at 18:33.
Second class is fine. Buy all your tickets at Termini when you first arrive in Rome. Children 4-11 pay half price when traveling with their parents.
The fares you see on the Trenitalia site will be the fares you pay. On trains that require seat reservations, the reservations are included in the price of the tickets.
Posted by
Cypress, CA, u.s.a.
21 posts
Amit, Be sure to check on the Familia discounts. With this, families can get a really good rate. 50% off your kids and a discount for the adults too.
Gail
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I just found a reference to the Familia special. It's 50% off for children 4-11 and 20% off for parents.
Posted by
Portland, OR
4 posts
Amit, We are traveling from Rome to Siena then Venice with our 8 and 11 year olds, but a month later. To bad we won't cross paths.
Tim or Gail, where did you find the Famila discount on trenitalia?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Lynn,
Scroll to near the bottom of the Trenitalia English home page and click on "Familia offer".
Posted by
OP
Portland, oregon, USA
8 posts
Thnak you all for all the great suggestions