what is best plan: reserve room or schedule train. How do I get northern italy train schedule. I can get room availability on internet but I am having trouble finding train schedule from Rome to Siena then to Milan and then Florene. I am doing this as backpacker and staying in hostels (when posssible). Thanks John
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23573 posts
When you say you are having trouble finding train schedules, where are you looking? You can use bahn.de for scheduling. A bit easier to use than Trenitalia. However, trenitalia.com works well, click on the brit flag for english. Do need the Italian spelling of the towns but other than that it is pretty straight forward. Train schedules are so frequent that I don't worry about schedules. Usually just check the departure schedule when I arrive. The only advantage to prepurchasing tickets is to take advantage of discounts that may be offered. Regional trains never sell out and are never discount.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Between all of your city pairs, there are multiple trains a day (think Harrisburg to Philadelphia, or Philadelphia to New York, not Harrisburg to Pittsburgh). However, on these routes, part or all of the route will be on fast trains requiring reservations. These tickets are cheaper bought in advance on Trenitalia, but are then non-refundable and non-exchangeable. The last minute ("base") fares are higher, but not exorbitant. To and from Siena, at least part of your trip will be on regional trains, which cost the same no matter when they're purchased. Details of finding Italian train schedules and prices, from Ron In Rome: http://tinyurl.com/c4t693b
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Side note -- Siena to Florence is a quick direct bus ride, gets you to the same place as the train station. (see RS Italy book)
Posted by
OP
Harrisburg, USA
55 posts
Thanks for the information and incentive to build my Italy trip. I plan to fly from NYC. I am about 9 weeks from going. I've got some routes and prices on internet. Is it old wive's tale that one day of the week is better than another to make reservations or closer to departure or sooner the better. John
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33556 posts
Do you mean that you are flying at the very peak of the summer peak travel time and you haven't bought your plane tickets yet? I'd suggest getting on the stick. Good luck... Is there a reason you are going from Siena to Florence via Milan? That's like going from Earth to the moon via Pluto. Besides, you will go through Florence in and out of Siena from Rome and to Milano?