What is the best mode of travel train or bus. My husband checked train schedule and the connection seemed tight, 15 min for neophytes not enough time?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32396 posts
Stephanie, There may be a Bus on that route, but I'm not aware of a direct CT to Siena route. One option would be to take the train to Florence and then Corse Rapide to Siena. However, my preference would definitely be to travel by train. A transfer time of 15-minutes should be more than adequate. If you're "neophytes", you might want to go through the "Rail Skills" chapter in Europe Through The Back Door. You could also have a look at This Short Video. It's slightly "dated" and covers other countries in Europe, but will provide some idea on the procedures. I assume you're travelling to Siena to stay for a few days? Most of the trains on that route are the same (these details are for the 08:20 departure): > La Spezia Centrale to Pisa (change time 19M) > Pisa to Empoli (change time 9M) > Empoli to Siena When you arrive in Siena, take Bus or Taxi up to the city. I believe you can also get up to the city via a series of Escalators in the shopping mall across the street from the station. I haven't tried that method yet, so can't confirm it. Happy travels!
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
The 15 min may be enough time, tho tight. However, I never trust that trains will always run on time. I would allow for a longer time between connections. If you are connecting in Rome, you will find plenty of places to eat or shop in the train station (Termini) if you have time between trains. There are many tracks (25 or so) in that station (Termini), so you may have a hike getting from one train to the next.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA
257 posts
By train. I don't think there are any bus to get out of CT, If you take the train. You have to change train in La Spezia. From La Spezia, to Pisa, to Empoli ( change train, 7 minutes )
than to Siena. If you have to change train in Pisa, plan on 10 to 15 minutes. For Empoli, since it is a very small station, 7 minutes should be okay, but you have to move fast. Also, as I remember, there are no train schedule monitor outside the station building. You have to go inside to check out the platform (BIN) number of your train.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11835 posts
We did this trip last October. The 7, 9, 15 minute changes are easy and in our experience everything ran on time. It is a tirign day, though, with all those changes. The last two trains Pisa-Empoli and Empoli-Siena were Standing Room Only, so for almost two hours we stood in the door area/vestibule of the trains. Ugh. Regionale trains so no reservations, but it was an adventure!