We'll be taking the train from Rome to Genova on May 19. We haven't purchased/reserved seats yet. Looks like we have a choice between a train route along the coast, or going inland to maybe Florence then over to the coast. We are thinking of the coastal train since we'll be doing a long bicycle tour from Genova, across Tusancy to San Benadetto del Tronto and will get plenty of inland scenery at a slow speed. We figure the scenery along the coast will be nice. Are we right?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16894 posts
I would choose the coastal route not only for a bit of different scenery but you can choose a departure that runs direct, no connection, e.g. around 7:00, 10:00, 12:00, and a few later options.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15269 posts
As Laura mentioned most direct (no train change) trains from Rome to Genoa take the coastal route. There are only a couple of direct FrecciaBianca that go to Genoa via Florence and the morning one leaves very early from Rome because I know it goes through Florence (Campo di Marte station) at just past 7:30. Those two are actually faster because the coastal route is not a high speed line, but not by much.
However don't expect outstanding views. The railway runs a bit away in the interior from the coast for the most part so you will hardly be able to see the sea. There are just a couple of nice spots just south of Livorno near Castiglioncello and Quercianella. Elsewhere..meh.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32929 posts
The scenery on the coast route is nice but not fabulous. I did it about this time last year. It is certainly not unpleasant but most of the route it is sufficiently in from the coast that you don't see the coast. We were the early IC from Rome and ran to time.