I have the following train reservations and am concerned that I will not have enough time to make the transfer from one train to the other:
Vincenza to Padova: 10:27 departure and 10:44 arrival
Padova to Firenze: 10:56 departure
Is 12 minutes enough to transfer from one train to the other in Padova? Any tips on how to do this would be much appreciated. We will only have a carryon bag.
I would revise the ticket and take an earlier regional train scheduled at 9:41 or 10:03 from Vicenza to Padova to ensure you catch that more important 10:56.
The trains were running late 9 out of 10 times when I was in Italy 2021 and 2022.
One late train can mess up everything.
The trains were running late 9 out of 10 times
This was my experience as well last month. If you have the Trenitalia app on your phone, you can check on the status of your trains. We often knew before we walked to the train station that our trains were running late. Be aware too that a late train can cause the platform number to change, so be sure to check that on the big board at the train station. In Italy, I was always checking the app and departure board.
We got used to most things being late. We'd just say "That's italy."
Good luck!!!
That's a Freccia + Freccia routing. If you buy the trip in a single transaction, Trenitalia will let you take the next (one hour later) train from Padova to Firenze if the inbound train to Padova is too late.
I wouldn't worry about 12 minutes in Padova myself, but with an expensive Freccia ticket on the line, I would want this to be a single ticketing transaction (though I assume you'll end up with two tickets or two smart codes).
Splitting the trip and taking a somewhat earlier regional train to Padova is another possibility (and would probably save a bit of money), but if that regional train is canceled, you'll be out of luck unless you can figure out a way to buy that itinerary in one transaction. [Note: Dario states below that this is incorrect; Trenitalia will allow you to take a later train if a delay on an earlier Trenitalia train caused you to miss your connection.]
If you download the Trenitalia app, it will probably keep you up to date on any schedule adjustments on the day of travel. I think it may display the platform numbers for the trains, too. That would give you an idea of which direction to head in when you step off the train in Padova. But do confirm the platform by looking for one of the departure boards or screens.
If you want some cheap insurance, that 10:03 regionale veloce only costs 4.70 EUR. It arrives Padova at 10:20. That train originates at Verona Porta Nuova, so should be running close to on time. The Freccia you have booked from Vicenza to Padova originates in Genova and passes through Milan on the way to Vicenza, so that does indeed have a higher risk of being delayed.
Most quick connections arrive at one track and depart from the next track over. I done a 90 second connection in Italy without an issue. Be sure to have your bags and be by the door to hop off as soon as the train stops and move quickly. If you wait until the train is at a complete standstill to get your bag and go to the door you will not get off the train in time to do anything. J
Thank you for all of the great suggestions!
The reservation was booked as one trip. The Vicenza to Padova is non-refundable or changeable. The Padova to Firenze is changeable. If I'm understanding correctly, if we miss the Padova to Firenze train, we can take the next train. I'm assuming that will be pretty much any available seat at that point. And if that train is full, I'm also assuming we can try to get on the one after that. I don't see anything on the Trenitalia website that says that, so I'd appreciate any available information.
Like I said, for a mere $5 you can take the earlier regionale veloce and forget about the nonrefundable Freccia ticket. Its not like an airline ticket where the would cancel the onward ticket from Padova.
Thanks again! I think taking the earlier train is a good idea.
Given my bad experience with delayed Trenitalia trains I agree with Sam and would spend the 5 euros and take the 9:41 regional train from Vicenza to Padova. Doing that would not effect your reserved seat on the Padova to Firenze leg.
I'd do the 10:03 because it is nonstop between Vicenza and Padova and arrives at 10:20. 36 minutes should be a more than adequate cushion. That is exactly the same travel time as the Freccia.
Many thanks for the recommendations.
I'm reading about train strikes in Italy. Is there a way to find out when these may occur? We are traveling mostly by train.
http://scioperi.mit.gov.it/mit2/public/scioperi
Might be helpful. Scioperi is ‘strikes’ basically, in Italian.
If you miss a connection between 2 Trenitalia trains because of Trenitalia you can always get on the next similar train for free. In case you missed a train with only reserved sests, you must get for free a new seat reservation at the counter or at the little red booths by the tracks. Same if the two trains are both run by Italotreno.
This is true even if you make separate purchases, but the advice to buy only through tickets on the official site is excellent. The system does not display impossible connections: it always meets the minimum transfer times set by Trenitalia and "knows" how big each station is.
The above linked site shows all strikes, in every sector and in every region. Planned strikes, confirmed and called off for whatever reason.
Without explaining that some workers, like Italotreno's, very rarely participate in railway strikes. I doubt you can get plenty of useful info from that site.
