Hi
I will be traveling from Florence to Vernazza on Oct 1, 2013. I am trying to buy the train ticket but the message I receive is that the trips are sold out. Actually, it's the FRECCIABIANCA that is sold out. Can this be true? I've read reservations are mandatory on these trains. I realize I can take the regional train, but was hoping to take a fast train. Thanks for any advice.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15146 posts
There might be a glitch in the system. Try later.
I noticed that for that date ALL frecciabianca trains between Pisa and La Spezia appear sold out. The possibility of that happening is ZERO POINT ZERO, even if the Italian Government decided to move the leaning tower from Pisa to La Spezia on Oct. 1.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1883 posts
I encountered that trying Rome/Bari. I was too early in planning and the train reservations were not available yet. Perhaps wait a day or two and try again. October is over 2 months out...maybe by Aug 1 you can book? Not sure, but just a hopeful thought.....
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Michele, from Florence to Pisa, you will most likely be on a Regionale or Regionale Veloche train. At Pisa, you will most likely change trains. From Pisa to La Spezia, you could be on a Regionale, Intercity or Frecci fast train. The train fares are different for each type of train as well unless you get a nice Super Economy fare on the Frecci train. Interestingly, for this particular segment, the journey time on the Regionale is about 20 minutes longer than the Frecci train. It's not really a biggie which train you will be on except that the Frecci train is a lot nicer.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32200 posts
Michele, As the others have mentioned, it's highly unlikely that the trains are sold out. I'd suggest checking again about a month or so prior to your trip, as everything should be working then. On that particular trip, I wouldn't bother pre-purchasing tickets but would buy at Firenze SMN from a Kiosk. For example, there's a direct Regionale departing at 09:53, arriving La Spezia Centrale at 12:19. Tickets for Regionale trains can't easily be purchased in advance nor is there any price advantage in doing so as the price won't differ (but DON'T forget to validate!). There's a train from La Spezia to Vernazza departing at 13:10. There are numerous other combinations of trains and departure times available. I travelled that route in June and it's very easy. Happy travels!