Wife and I flying into Munich then to taking trains to Castelrotto, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Sienna, Orvieto, Rome, Naples and Palermo. We plan to day trip via train from each city as well. Is this going to break us? Also, can we just walk up the ticket counter say, the day before each trip, and just say…”We’d like 2 tickets to…..” and go with no problem? We are so ignorant of the whole train travel process. Any help appreciated!
Posted by
Freedonia
16278 posts
Homework time...figure out what point to point tickets would cost you for each leg and day trip, and then compare that total to a railpass.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
Use the Railpasses tab at the top of this page and then select the Italy pass page to get at map showing approximate p to p ticket prices.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Jeff beat me to it: The link below is the same that Jeff is referring to you. This section of Rick's website may help you figure out the cost comparison between point to point and rail passes:Rick on Rail Passes Versus Point-to-Point
Posted by
OP
Quincy, FL, US
58 posts
Jack again... The "is it going to break us" question regards the both the day trips and main segments.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
If you think trains are expensive then you should check into those "extra fees" that rental car companies charge for dropping off a car in a different country than where you picked it up...OUTRAGEOUS!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I don't think the map of rail prices is very accurate. A better place to look is the Trentialia (Italian Rail) website. The prices there are exactly what they will charge you at a ticket window or automat in Italy. The "Amica" fare is a 20% discount fare available up to the night before travel.
Incidently, you can't get to Castelrotto by train; the closest station is Bolzano.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8058 posts
you do not mention the dates you are travelling, but yes, generally you should be able to get a ticket right up to the time of departure. As someone already alluded to, there is an advantage in buying your ticket for departure when you arrive in town. It would be less likely you will run into a full train, you can plan your time, and you get a cheaper (Amica) fare in Italy. Second class is fine, if trains do not look full as you go, skip mthe reservation fee unless it is mandatory.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
Rick's Italy book has a nice explanation of how to use the trains in Italy. You'll save yourself a lot of time if you use the kiosks in train stations instead of waiting in line for the clerk; they have an english menu available and take euros or credit cards.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2083 posts
Train travel in Italy was easy, especially with the automated machines. These machines clearly display schedules and prices and prompt you step by step towards purchase. Plenty of folks are also available to help out in the stations, but lines were often long. We were nervous as well, but riding the trains for a month was fun and easy. Also, depending on where you are, think bus too. Some daytrips can be done more conveniently by intercity bus than by train. Every bus we rode was clean, spacious, and on time. The TI in each town was able to quickly tell us whether the train or bus was the better option depending on the destination. Have fun and relax.