If we take the train from lucca to florence, are we allowed to get off, say in pistoia and just get back on later or do we need to tell them when we buy our tickets? any help will be appreciated
Posted by
Los Angeles
425 posts
You are allowed to "hop on" and "hop off" at your heart's delight on any "regionale" ("R") train in Italy AS LONG AS you don't board a train more than 6 hours after first "punching" it ("validating" it) in the little yellow machines at the train track. It's OK to complete your journey on an "R" train, even with a ticket that has just expired (after 6 hours), as long as it had not expired when you boarded the train.
BEWARE: None of this is allowed on any long-distance trains for which seat reservations are required (and come automatically with ticket purchase).
BEWARE: Electronic tickets for "R" trains expire after 4 hours (but nobody buys electronic tickets for "R" trains).
NOTE: Seat reservations are not allowed on "R" trains. You just punch your ticket, board the train, and take the first available seat you find.
NOTE: You don't have to punch the ticket each time you re-board a train. Just be sure to punch it before boarding your first train (and wait until the last moment to punch it, so you won't "waste" any of the 6-hours of ticket validity).
NOTE: You cannot board a second train in the OPPOSITE direction (i.e., going back towards your original departure point).
NOTE: Strictly within Lombardia, the ticket for "R" trains is, inexplicably, valid for only 3 hours, not 6 hours.
Posted by
Los Angeles
425 posts
CORRECTION: In Lombardia, tickets for "R" trains for travel segments of 50 kilometers or less are valid for only three hours. Otherwise, these tickets are valid for the full six hours, just as in other regions of Italy. What a silly exception to have to remember (and I did not)!!!
Posted by
OP
san diego, CA, usa
41 posts
thanks GAC, we actually are going to be based in florence, and plan on taking train to pisa then lucca, and if time allows, make a stop or two. Do we buy one ticket in florence to cover total trip? THANKS AGAIN RUSS
Posted by
OP
san diego, CA, usa
41 posts
To clairify, start in florence and end in florence in one day, possible?
Posted by
Los Angeles
425 posts
This is a tricky question, and has a tricky answer:
because Pisa and Lucca are on different rail lines, you will need to buy three tickets: 1) Florence to Pisa; 2) Pisa to Lucca; and 3) Lucca to Florence. You are allowed one or more stopovers on trips 1) and 3).
BTW, if you plan no stopovers between Lucca and Florence, the LAZZI bus is actually more comfortable than the train (reclining seats).