Okay - once again I'd like to voice my appreciation for this wonderful forum that helps those of us who are planning travel to new places. The advice, suggestions, and perspectives we've gotten so far have helped immensely, and we are grateful. Our first trip to Italy will begin early October and will last four weeks. Our itinerary is set. We've arranged our stays. We've gotten the advanced tickets that we can so far for the "hard-to-get" attractions. Now, we're at the point of considering our transit from place to place. We have chosen not to rent a car, and are quite comfortable with the idea of using what seems to be a great public transportation system. So here's our next question for the community: Which, if any, of our journeys should be pre-booked? Opinions/ knowledge about train vs. bus for each leg? (RS suggests bus from Florence to Siena) Any tips on getting/ arranging/ booking our tickets? Here are the connections we will need:
Milan to Varenna
Varenna to Bolzano
Bolzano to Venice
Venice to Vernazza
Vernazza to Florence
Florence to Siena (bus)
Siena to Orvieto
Orvieto to Sorrento
Sorrento to Rome
*I've put the trenitalia app on my phone. Any other apps we should have?
Grazie Mille in advance for any and all help!
Sue and Scott
(traveling light with only carry on - we're seasoned travelers with gray hair - not strangers to traveling public)
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17168 posts
I can help, starting with the most northerly portion which is what I know.
Milan to Varenna is an easy 1-hour trip by regional train, nochanges on the way. But your tickets before travel (no advantage with advance booking, no seat reservations) on your Trenitalia app and be sure to validate or “check in” before boarding.
Varenna to Bolzano: return to Milano Centrale by regional train, book Milano Centrale to Bolzano via Verona. There are various options using a mix of different types of trains: regional, Frecciarossa fast trains, and/or EC (Eurocity trains) heading to Austria. they will have different prices and different travel times. There is a price advantage to booking the EC and Frecce trains ahead, and they come with seat reservations.
Bolzano to Venice: again you will change trains at Verona Porta Nuova and have a choice of EC, Frecce and regional trains. Same price advantage to booking ahead as above.
For the routs offering fast Frecce trains we prefer those even when they cost more; you get a reserved seat which can be an advantage when travel is busy. Last September we ended up on some regional trains in that area with standing room only.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6934 posts
I’d play around on the app ahead of time so you have idea of your options.
If you are set on itinerary- you could book some of the Freccia and IC trains in advance for a discount.
Regionals are same price, never changes, can’t sell out- so just buy those day of- or days before if you prefer.
Always validate- on app or at station
Use the Italian station names
Venezia S Lucia to Vernazza-
look for a route with just 2 changes
Fast train to Firenze SM Novella then regional to La Spezia, regional to Vernazza
Vernazza to Florence
Regional to La Spezia, Regional to Firenze SM Novella
Florence to Siena- yes bus
Siena to Orvieto- 1 change
Regional to Chiusi, regional to Orvieto
(Orvieto Centro includes the bus ticket to top of town, there is also funicular then bus option
Orvieto to Sorrento- 2 changes
Orvieto to Napoli Centrale
There is a direct IC at noon. 3 hr trip- take a picnic
Otherwise regional to Roma Termini -change to fast train to Napoli
Then
Circumvesuviana or Campania Express to Sorrento
(these can’t be purchased on app)
Sorrento to Rome-
Circumvesuvaina, Campania to Napoli then fast train to Roma Termini
There are lots of posts about Circumvesuviana here on forum-
I like your itinerary! You’ll have a wonderful time in Italy.
Posted by
OP
Walnut Creek, CA
26 posts
Thank you Lola and Christine! Really appreciate your suggestions and information, it should definitely help us to make our connections as smooth as possible.
So, as far as booking our tickets - besides the trenitalia app, are there any others that we should have to use on our trip? And would you also say that the Tourist Information offices in each town are generally helpful for transit info??
Thank you again!
Posted by
21 posts
Hello Sue and Scott,
I'm about 30 days away from my first trip to Italy.
As far as transportation apps, I am finding the OMIO to be extremely useful because it shows trains, buses and air transportation routes and schedules. You can also purchase directly from the app.
I've seen it recommended by various bloggers and travel sites.
Have a wonderful trip!
Maria
Posted by
Los Angeles
4719 posts
Have you consulted the Man in Seat 61? I was just reading his section on Italy this week and sometime in the fall the current ticketing system is supposed to change over from having to validate your ticket beforehand, to the app somehow auto-validating on the date it's supposed to be used. Or something like that.
He also suggested alternate apps and websites for tickets, one of them has a service charge but if you send them an email saying you're with the Man it gets refunded.
He also talks about Trenitalia vs. Italo, and passes you can use on regional trains.