What is the best way to find buses between cities? Rome to Rio and Omio come up frequently. They also have trains. How far ahead should I book? Before I leave home 1-2 months out. Can I book as I go, so when I arrive in Rome book for Siena 2-3 days head.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17352 posts
You can find information using Rome2Rio, but then I would look at the individual bus companies. Same with Omio. There are lots of buses from the Tiburtina Bus Terminal to Siena. I'm pretty sure you can buy when you arrive, if you fly in that day.
Same with trains. The main company is www.trenitalia.com, but there is also the private company www.italotreno.it, which operates only high speed between major cities (but not Siena). You can buy ahead and possibly save money, but if you fly in the same day then I would buy on the spot when I arrive and pay full price. Discounted tickets purchased in advance have restrictions (no refunds or changes) therefore if you miss the train because of a flight delay you lose your money. Siena from Rome is probably best by bus, otherwise you have to go to Florence and backtrack from Florence to Siena by regional train or bus
Posted by
CA, USA
1405 posts
For longer-haul routes like Rome to Siena the schedules are likely pretty regular but this isn't always the case if you are also looking at regional bus routes. These routes, such as within Tuscany, often are aimed at getting people to/from work and school. So they may have special schedules or not run during vacations, on holidays, and so on.