My group will need to change trains in Bologna.. Originating in Rome, change in Bologna to Verona. Info says 12 min. difference.
Provided trains are punctual, is that doable? I suppose there is chance the trains will share the same platform? If not, I suppose it's simply a matter of walking down/up stairs to and adjacent platform.
Any chance night/thoughts? TIA
When is this? There are normally plenty of direct trains from Rome to Verona, and I suggest you book one of those.
And where are you seeing this schedule? MCT for larger stations in Italy is usually 15 minute, and Trenitalia would not normally offer connections below that.
The Bologna Centrale station is large and has several levels which can take time to navigate, especially with a group and if you are not familiar with the station. It looks like there are several direct trains per day from Rome to Verona by both Italo and Trenitalia. It might be worth taking one of those instead. Generally, if you miss a connection due to delays and you bought a through ticket, you should be able to take the next train. If both trains are unreserved, it is easy to make changes via the Trenitalia app. I'm not sure what happens if the train is on time but you miss the connection to a reserved train. I would choose a direct train rather than risk it with changing in Bologna. For many other stations, 12 minutes might be fine.
wengen is right, you may be checking the train schedules on a reseller site.
Trenitalia.com lists 9 direct trains a day between Rome and Verona, the first one departs at 6:45, the last one at 23:00. More, the "12 minutes changes" listed on trenitalia.com are in Padova's station, not in Bologna.
Trenitalia knows that a "difference" of 12 minutes is not enough in Bologna, a 3 levels station with 2 satellite sets of surface tracks. Somebody's trying to sell you a non-protected connection.
I always try and warn people about Bologna because it is different than every other large Italian city train station. That being said if you are transferring between fast trains they are pretty close but you would probably need to go up one level, confirm your track and then descend one level to the track. If you get really lucky with the track assignments and check them on the app you might just have to change tracks, but those are some "ifs".
As others have said look to book a direct change and dodge the whole situation. Check the trenitalia and .italo sites directly for fast train information and book directly to avoid having to change if at all possible - especially with a group.
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
https://www.italotreno.com/en
Have a great trip,
=Tod
I agree with CDinDC
I'm reasonable familiar with European trains and stations. Navigating the Bologna station a year ago was really frustrating. Lots of leve!s. Poor signage.
I am VERY experienced with Bologna since that's the station I get off at when I leave Vignola. If high speed to a regional... you may not make it. If on the lowest tracks for high speed you need to come up several floors to reach the other platforms. Don't count on punctual either because if you are 5 minutes late (and that is basically on time you won't make it). Bologna Centrale as mentioned is not like Milan, Florence or Rome.... which are all quite easy. If regional to regional and you're on time you can make it.
Supposedly some track construction during this coming week and supposedly no direct train for the day of travel. Can anyone confirm? (I am trying to assist the organizer second hand. Thanks)
If you told us day & time of travel checking for you would be a little easier...
which specific day please
Looks like July 2nd.
Rome to Bologna to Verona (and then to Innsbruck and finally to Vienna)
Any info regarding Rome to Verona... Whether it is indeed direct or some variation due to track repairs. And again if the 12 min change in Bologna is realisitc.
Thanks to the posters!
On July 2 There are seats left on:
The official Trenitalia site displays the above direct trains whereas it doesn't display 12 minutes connections in Bologna Centrale. For the reason you have already been told: it's not doable. 15 minutes is the minimum transfer time for protected connections in the main stations.
Rome to Bologna to Verona (and then to Innsbruck and finally to
Vienna)
Do you want to reach Vienna on that day? Or are these later trips.
For Rome Innsbruck you would change in Verona, and Trenitalia offers quite generous (if not inefficient) transfer times on that route. If you however want to reach Vienna you should travel via Venice.
@Clayton: What are you using to look up train times?
There are also seats available on July 2 Freccia 9:50 am direct Roma Termini to Verona Porto Nuova
Is Verona your final destination on July 2?
Are you using the official Trenitalia site?
You simply need to provide all the info for us to help you
