I am going to be traveling with my family of 4 in late June and July in Italy. We are going to be taking the train between places. Here is our itinerary where we will be needing to obtain train tickets.
Our train itinerary:
Rome to Naples after we arrive at Rome Airport and plan on purchasing that day,
Naples to Rome,
Rome to Assisi,
Assisi to Florence,
Florence to Vernazza,
Vernazza to Milan,
Milan to Venice,
and finally Venice back to Rome for our flight out the next day.
For you experienced Italian train travelers - when should we get tickets and should we purchase any of them ahead? If so, 1st or 2nd class? What train companies do you like? I know there is Trenitalia and and Italo. Thank you so much .
Posted by
Chicago
8242 posts
Trenitalia and Italo are about the same except I found the price lower on Italo.
I would buy all your routes in advance as soon as they are available, except the one on your arrival day to Naples
I would go 2nd class as those are short train rides, the extra money spent on 1st class you can spend on gelato
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
These are likely to be regional trains with no advance-booking discount:
Rome to Assisi (but if this is a same-day connection coming from Naples, you could book it all together)
Assisi to Florence
Florence to Vernazza
I agree with your plan to purchase the first ticket upon arrival at the airport.
If you are planning to stay twice in Rome, then I would ask, "why?"
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
You can purchase all of your tickets,other than the Rome-Naples on arrival day, as soon as you've finalized your itinerary. Doing so will save you a substantial amount with four travelers. Trains in Italy are nice enough that 2nd class seating is fine.
You can use both the companies above, purchasing directly from their site, or use Trainline, which many say is easier to navigate.
Posted by
OP
90 posts
We are going back to through Rome as we got better air fare and flight times for roundtrip through Rome, then going open jaw and out through Venice. We are only going back to Rome the last day to spend the night and be available for our flight home.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16231 posts
You don’t have to buy ahead any, but high speed trains offer discounts if purchased ahead.
Remember however that purchasing a discounted fare ahead of time means losing the flexibility of changing your mind later. Once you buy a discounted fare seat you are stuck with that choice. There are no changes or refunds allowed.
Naples to Rome: if using the high speed train purchasing ahead will save some money: the super economy fare is 30€ instead of full base price of 48€.
Rome to Assisi-
Assisi to Florence-
Florence to Vernazza
These 3 segments are all (or mostly) on Regionali trains. No discounts on Regionale trains therefore no reason to buy ahead. Buy on the spot that way you have the flexibility of changing your mind on when to depart.
Vernazza to Milan
This will be in large part on an Intercity, therefore you can get a discounted fare if purchased ahead.
Milan to Venice
This can be on a high speed Freccia train, therefore you can get a discounted fare if purchased ahead. There are also slower Regionali on this segment. Regional trains should not be purchased ahead. They are the cheapest and offer no discounts.
Venice to Rome
This is the longest segment on high speed trains. You will definitely save if you purchase ahead.