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How do I plan a train trip with a long stopover?

Posted by (Land of 10,000 lakes) on

I’m trying to build a stopover on a few train journeys in Italy in late September/early October. From Venice to Monterosso, I was thinking of trying to go through Florence, storing luggage at the station, walking the gold bridge, seeing the David replica statue, then continuing onto Monterosso. Then on our way to Rome, going Monterosso to Pisa, store luggage, taxi to the tower & back to the station. We’ve been there before, so want to just see a bit. My question is, HOW do i book those? In playing with a date that’s open now (Sept/Oct are not yet), I don’t see how to build in a long layover.

Also, would those trips each count as 2 separate, and thus making my Trenitalia “3 trips in 1 week pass” not valid?

Thanks!

Posted by
21142 posts

I don't believe the pass is valid for regional trains, so you just use it for Venice to Florence, then travel to Monterosso later in the day on regional trains which you would pay for. Then get regional ticket from Monterosso to Pisa, then later in the day use the pass for the Pisa to Rome segment on IC or Freccia trains.

The regional ticket from Florence to Monterosso is 18.35 EUR pp. The regional ticket from Monterosso to Pisa Centrale is 12.35 EUR pp.

I take it the other trip is from Domodossola to Venice.

Posted by
3812 posts

Since it seems that the TrenItalia pass does not cover the Regional trains (those trains that can't sell out), Just make two separate purchases. Pick a reasonable departure time from the city where you want to make a stop. That would be Florence when travelling from Venice to Monterosso.

You have another option: One member of the group could get the tickets for the Regional at the station, while the others get the luggage back from the staffed deposit. This way you can be more flexible, but of course you must remember the departure time of the last train to your final destination.

Posted by
84 posts

Dario, I’m not sure what you mean by being sure of the departure time? If you’re picking up luggage and getting tickets at the same time wouldn’t the time be a no-brainer?

Also, if we have the Trenitalia 3 ride pass, we still need to make reservations on those legs (Venice to Florence, Pisa to Rome), right?

Posted by
3812 posts

When you buy tickets in advance online you are somehow "forced" to check the train schedules in advance and memorize the departure time of the train you already have tickets for.
When you get the train tickets just before boarding, it's different. You may need more time than expected at the luggage deposit, or there may be long lines at the counters. So You'd better know when the last train from Florence departs to the Cinque Terre even if you are going to take an earlier one. The last train is your Plan B.

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