Hello
I am traveling to Italy in September and have been researching trains. I am still confused on the best option as this is the first time traveling by train.
Here is my itinerary. What type of train is best and do I need to reserve ahead of time? Thank you!
Genoa to Vernazza
Vernazza to Lucca
Lucca to Florence
Florence to Rome
Thank you
Welcome
You will be using a combination of fast trains and regional trains
Regional trains do not need to be purchased in advanced -no reserved seats, can’t sell out and price never changes
Paper tickets purchased at station must be validated
Fast trains must have a reserved seat and can be purchased in advance if you’d like to take advantage of discounts, otherwise you pay full price day of the “Base” rate
Get familiar with the Trenitalia site
They also have an easy to use app
Use Italian names for stations
Genova
Vernazza
Lucca
Firenze SM Novella
Roma Termini
https://www.trenitalia.com/content/tcom/en.html
There are several recent threads here about train travel in Italy
A search will give you plenty of info
Here is a search of all “ trains in Italy ” posts for the past 2 years
This site tells you all you need to know about trains in Italy
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-italy.htm
Genova to Vernazza, I'd take the IC train to Monterosso, then change to the CT Express train to Vernazza. That's the fastest and there is really no advance discount in early September and is about 18 EUR. You can buy at the station, or use the app.
Vernazza to Lucca take an all Regionale route as its 13.05 EUR and just as fast as a route that uses an IC train. No need to buy in advance. The 11:46 departure looks good.
Lucca to Florence is a direct Regionale costing 8.40 EUR and no need to buy in advance.
Florence to Rome take a Freccia high speed train and buy as soon as you can to get the best price.
Hello lplarkin401, and welcome to the boards,
In broad terms there are fast trains and local trains called regionale. Regionale are all the same class, don't sell out and there is no reason to buy those tickets until you need them. My wife and I call these "Get your butt on the train" class tickets.
There some exceptions like InterCity trains which also have specific tickets, but in general these are the big towo.
In general sites will book you through but especially going from large to small towns or vice versa you will need to change trains. This is fairly painless and straightforward but booking direct trains is always easier if they are available and the timing works for you.
If you check Vernazza to Lucca you'll see a very short local ride to La Spezia, then La Spezia to Lucca requires a change in Viareggio so this is less than straightforward but the are all Regionale so for one price and one ticket you can get on board and after a couple of changes and 2 hours and bit you'll be in Lucca.
Lucca to Florence is a but more straightforward but will require a change in Pisa. Check for trips with one change rather than two and choose the time that works for you.
Florence (Firenze S. M. Novella) to Rome (Roma Termini) you will want to book a fast train - either Trenitalia Frecciarossa or the private Italotreno aka .Italio. Fast trains come with classes, seat reservations and specific times and are cheaper the earlier you book them.
Resellers are okay for checking schedules but the actual train company sites are here:
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
https://www.italotreno.it/en
Note: You will have to use the Italian names for some cities like Firenze on the Italian version of the site.
Get the Trenitalia app to check schedules, track trains and buy tickets through the app.
Great advice and information on trains in general here from the man in seat 61: https://www.seat61.com/Italy.htm
Hope that helps, it seems like a lot but don't let it throw you but remember thousands of people do it everyday,
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Thank you all so much. This is very helpful.
