It's e21 to get from Venice to Florence. Would YOU pay e35 (fourteen more Euros) to opt for the express train to save 35 minutes?
I guess there are three variables:
time (35 minutes less)
cost
type of train
or does it simply not matter??? :)
Sorry--but I'm getting down to the nitty gritty here! I've never been on a European train so I thought I'd ask this.
Pete & Robyn
Italy, Mid-July
I probably wouldn't.
But I might if time was tight.
And isn't it up to you? Otherwise there's no "right" answer.
I agree with Adam. I would personally not take the more expensive train unless a) I HAD to get to Florence by a certain time and/or b) the cheaper train was at a less convenient time (i.e., have to get up at 4am).
Having been on both the Eurostar Italia and the slow regional trains, there's simply not that much difference between them, so I wouldn't consider that as a variable. It's a question of how much your time is worth. If you feel 35 minutes of your vacation is worth 14 euro, take the faster train. If not, don't.
Peter,
Given the time of year you'll be travelling, one other factor to consider is getting a seat on the train. Mid-July is PEAK travel season, so the trains will probably be very busy!
If you're travelling on the EuroStar Italia you'll have reserved seats (these are compulsory) while on the slower regional trains this isn't usually the case.
It's certainly possible you'll have no trouble getting a seat on the Regional train. That route is fairly busy, so my preference would be a reserved seat. If you don't make it on one train, there'll be another along in an hour or so.
As you've never been on a European train, you might find it useful to read the "Rail Skills" section in Europe Through The Back Door or download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website. It helps to have some idea on the way the trains work, and you'll need to learn a few important words (ie: Binario = Track No.).
Happy travels!
The choice is really up to you. The faster the train goes and the fewer stops it makes, the more expensive the ticket. Same tracks. Just a different class of trains. One major difference. The IC train that you see for 21.50Euro doesn't require seat reservations although you can get them for 3Euro (advised). The more expensive Eurostars do require seat reservations which you get automatically when you buy your tickets. Either you know which seats you will want or the agent or machine will assign them.
