Train Travel through Italy

Thanks! It did seem as if it would be fairly straightforward, from the info I found. I'm still just a bit confused about train reservations (do I need?), 1st class, 2nd class, ticket validation, etc. Someone told me that I can get all the info at the individual stations; they are supposed to be very helpful. My whole trip should take me about 15 days or so.

You won't have any trouble. You can buy your tickets as you go. There's a lot of advice here about advance purchases, reservations, etc. but in Italy you can keep it simple. Train stations have automatic ticket dispensers that work in English and accept American credit cards. Station agents may not speak English but can be very helpful if you're patient and remember the basic courtesies (not that you'll do this, but some people walk up to the window and start barking demands in English.)

If you have the time before you go, play around on www.trenitalia.it, the Italian rail service website. You can enter in itineraries and see just how many trains there are on your planned routes. You're planning to travel the busiest routes in the country so there are lots of trains. Have fun planning!

I've done most of the same routes you're planning by train and at that time of year, and can assure you it is easy. Sometimes if you try to hard you just overload yourself with "info" and end up confused and frustrated. Italy has a great rail system, its cheap and easy to use, and once you've done it once or twice you'll be a pro.

Here's a few tips. Don't buy a railpass, point-to-point is cheaper. You don't need to buy far in advance if you're not riding a sleeper car. Use the automated machines; if you can work an ATM you can work these. If the train needs reservations it does this too; when you pick window or aisle it assigns you a specific seat. Buy tix a day or so in advance so you don't waste time hanging around train stations waiting for your train; you'll know when it leaves. Stamp your ticket in the yellow boxes near the tracks to validate it. If you have an assigned seat then check to make sure you board the right car (they're numbered, like the seats).

Thanks Ron. However, the only reason I'm going to Milan first is flight availability. I'm using my skymiles and unfortunately there are no direct flights into Venice; in fact, each flight has 2-3 legs with up to 20 hrs of travel time. It's ridiculous. So, Milan it is. In fact, I don't plan on staying in Milan for more than a few hours. I just figure if I'm there, I might as well look around, get something to eat, etc, before heading to Venice.

Shari,

Look for Amica fares on Trenitalia's site. They come with some restrictions and must be purchased at least 24 hours ahead but also provide 20% discount. Like any other discount fares, they are limited and may not be available when you try for them but always look for them on Trenitalia or ask for them when buying in person.

Shari, you itinerary looks good. The fun part is that Milan is kind of in the center between the CT and Venice so you'll travel about 3-3.5 hours to Venice from Milan and then 6.0-6.5 hours from Venice to the CT. Oddly, half the runs from Venice to the CT go through Florence. Others go back through Milan. A few can go through Bologna and Parma and then to La Spezia. It's not difficult - just a few train changes. From the CT to Florence it's about 2.5 hours. It's really quick from Florence to Rome on the Eurostar.

Question: What time will you arrive in Milan and do you plan on proceeding to Venice after you land or are you staying the night in Milan. There's a great Eurocity train leaving Milan at 8:55am that can get you to Venice in 2.5 hours.

We visited all those sites in October, using train and bus. You would do better to go Milan to Venice, then Florence, then CT. Since you have to go through Florence to get to the CT anyway, rather than backtracking to Florence after the CT. From the CT you can continue south to Rome and beyond. We used bus service to get to Amalfi, available both from Salerno and Sorrento. We took the nice Eurostar from Rome to Salerno, took an overnight side trip to Paestum, then back to Salerno and connected by bus along the Amalfi to Sorrento. Don't miss Ravello, much less overrun with fellow tourists that Amalfitown or Positano.

We did the trip in reverse order and flew from Naples to Venice. So...you could also order this as follows: By train from Milan to CT to Florence to Venice, then fly to Naples (about $100 US)and train or taxi to Sorrento and use that as a base to explore the Amalfi Coast, then train back to Rome. Ed in Seattle

Ed has a great idea. There are a couple of runs from La Spezia to Rome down the West coast of Italy that turns in to Rome Termini. It's a 4.5hr. journey from La Spezia. I can provide times and train numbers if you need them.

I'll put my two cents worth in. Go Venice to Florence THEN to Cinque Terre. The trains from Venice to CT are not direct. My husband and I were going to do Rome, Venice, CT then Florence. There was one or two train changes AND it took all day. I didn't want to waste a day on the train. We went Rome, Venice, Florence, CT then down to Rome after a week in the Tuscany/Umbria area with a car. Look at the train routes and cities you want to visit BEFORE you book your B&B's! Hearing train travel is easy, which it is, I just assumed it would be a straight shot from Venice to CT. oops! Be sure to ask for discounts on the tickets if you are purchasing them as you go 24 hr. in advance. I forgot!! Another oops! There are several "experts" here on the helpline that will give you lots of info on the trains. Locals will help you at the train stations on how to use the machines. Enjoy!

Thank you all so much for your help!

To answer a few questions - I really didn't plan to stay in Milan at all, I'm just flying in there b/c there are no direct flights into Venice. The flight I'm thinking of taking gets in @ 8am so there is the chance I can make that 855am train to Venice. That would be great.

Also, based on everyone's advice, I think I'm going to hit Florence after Venice, then the CT. Just seems easier and more logical this way after looking back at the map.

I think I'm going to skip flying and stay with the trains; there may not be that much to see but since it's my first trip to Italy I'd like to just let everything sink in while I'm there.

You'll love the trains. You can see such lovely sights along the train route. You can stand up and walk around if you'd like. You can start a conversation with others. Just make sure you VALIDATE the ticket in the yellow/orange boxes BEFORE you get on the train. Buy your lunch at a local market to take with you.
Just take that toilet paper/kleenex with you. The bathrooms on trains are not that great!!! but, glad they are available.