My husband and I want to take the high speed train from Florence to Venice but want to stop in Bologna for a couple hours to poke around and eat lunch. Do I have to make reservations for each leg (Florence to Bologna then Bologna to Venice) or can we hop off and hop back on the later train?
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
If you buy a ticket for an Italian High Speed train, it is specific to one train (same way an air ticket is). On the ticket it will say date, time, train number, carriage/coach number and seat number.
If you want to get off en-route, you need to buy two tickets.
Tickets are cheaper if bought in advance on the internet (official website: http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en ). The most expensive option is to buy at the station on the day. If you buy in advance on the internet, you get a "print-at-home" ticket.
Lots more info about Italian trains here: http://seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you Chris. That is what I thought we would need to do. And thanks for the link.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
ck,
On that route you can use either Trenitalia or Italo Treno high speed trains (different rail networks). Pick whichever one has the best prices and fits your schedule. You can buy tickets for both rail networks at https://www.trainline.eu/ (same price as if buying from the rail network websites).
You didn't say whether you've travelled in Italy before, but you'll have to know which stations you'll be using as each city has more than one. Venice will be Venezia Santa Lucia, Bologna will be Bologna Centrale and Florence will be Firenze Santa Maria Novella.
As Chris mentioned, tickets for the fast trains are specific to train, date and departure time so can only be used o the one train listed on the ticket. If you board the wrong train by mistake, you'll be subject to hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15585 posts
I believe there is a left luggage facility at the Bologna station. Be sure to leave enough time to deposit your bags and to retrieve them. My experience (in other cities) is that there's usually only one attendant and there may be a line. You may be asked for photo ID (they photocopy it and give it back to you).