Headed to Venice in the afternoon after attending the Angelus service. We're going in August, so I know it'll be a bit crowded -- if we'll need to grab a quick bite to eat, pick up our bags at the hotel (Trevi fountain area), and get to Termini -- how much time should we allow? Is a 3:00 or 3:30 train doable?
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
Looks like your choice is either 2:50 pm or 3:50 pm for Freccia trains to Venice. How do you plan to get from the Vatican to Trevi Fountain area? Metro?
I'd say the 3:50 pm would be perfectly comfortable. There are Bistro cars on the trains if you need a nosh.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
I don't know that I would book in advance. If you book too early and miss the train your tickets are worthless (unless you book the base fare). If you buy your tickets at the station you can book the next available train you can get, the trade off being you book the base fare and not the discounted fares.
Donna
Posted by
OP
45 posts
Thanks for the input! We don't have a concrete game plan for getting from the Vatican area to our hotel -- thinking we'll probably grab a bite near the Vatican, let the crowd dissipate a bit, and then grab a taxi. Would the 2:50 train be calling it too close (assuming our "bite to eat" is takeout)? I'm thinking we would leave Vatican area around 1:30, get to our hotel by 2:00 to pick up bags, then the 15-minute walk to the station -- am I overlooking anything that would throw a wrench in that timing?
As far as train tickets, I'd prefer to book in advance because we're traveling with two kids so the more details I can have taken care of in advance, the better...plus any cost savings on the ticket is x4.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
IF you leave the Vatican at 1:30 to get to your hotel by 2 when are you going to stop to eat?
If you really want to purchase ahead of time I would say to buy the 2:50 train. After you leave the Vatican go directly to your hotel, get your luggage then go directly to the train station. You can get something to eat in the train station. This way you'll be there and won't need to worry about getting there after lunch.
Donna
Posted by
OP
45 posts
In the Vatican area, after the Angelus service. Figuring the service will be over by 12:30, so while the crowds are thinning out, we can get pizza or wraps somewhere nearby (allowing an hour for that), then leave the Vatican area at 1:30.
Posted by
OP
45 posts
...although I do like the idea of eating near the train station better (just so we know we're THERE when we need to be). I just wasn't sure if the post-Angelus crowds would slow us down too much, i.e. if we're going to spend 30 minutes in a taxi line, we might as well just grab a sandwich somewhere.