Italian
rail is generally punctual, cheap and efficient.
The Ferrovie dello Stato is the state railway
and there are also a few private railway
companies. The rail network is adequately
developed and widespread, especially between
major urban centers and tourist areas. The
fastest trains operate on the networks between
the major cities (Milan-Venice-Florence-Rome-Naples)
while the regional trains are fairly slow.
It is also fairly cheap and efficient, sometimes
beating plane travel in time and cost.
A complete schedule of all trains in the
country and fares can be bought at most
newsstands for about $8, or check it on-line
at www.trenitalia.it
TYPES OF TRAINS
In some countries there is one state railway and also a few private railway
companies and the network can comprise of a variety of trains that vary in
price and speed. In Italy there are Eurostars which are fast and expensive,
Intercity trains (IC) or interRegionale trains (IR) which are about midrange
and the Regional trains (R) which are generally very slow. Regional stop at
all stations and are generally very slow, InterRegional run between the
regions, Intercity and Eurocity and Eurostar Italia serve major Italian and
European cities. On the IC, EC and ES reservations are required and a
supplement. The ES is the fastest but most expensive train.
Note that in some Italian cities -- Milan, Turin, Genoa, Naples, and Rome
included -- there are two or more main-line stations, although one is
usually the principal terminal or through-station. Be sure of the name of
the station at which your train will arrive, or from which it will depart.
There is refreshment service on all long-distance trains, with mobile carts
and a cafeteria or dining car. Tap water on trains is not drinkable.
More comfortable trains run on the longer routes (Sicily-Rome, Sicily-Milan,
Sicily-Venice, Rome-Turin, Lecce-Milan); ask for Intercity Notte and
Carrozza Comfort. The Vagone Letto Excelsior has private bathrooms, coffee
machines, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and a suite with a double bed and
a VCR.
TICKETS
Reservations are recommended on Italian trains so a reservation is a good
idea. Lining up for tickets is a time consuming process if you don't use the
automated machines so leave plenty of time to do this. To avoid long lines
at station windows, buy tickets and make seat reservations up to two months
in advance at travel agencies displaying the FS emblem.
Tickets can be purchased at the last minute, but seat reservations can be
made at agencies (or the train station) up until about three hours before
the train departs from its city of origin.
For trains that require a reservation (all Eurostar and some Intercity), you
may be able to get a seat assignment just before boarding the train; look
for the conductor on the platform.
Tickets are good for two months after the date of issue, but right before
departure they must be validated in the yellow machines located in the
departure area. Once stamped, tickets are valid for six hours on distances
of less than 200 km (124 mi) or for 24 hours on distances of 200 km or more.
If you wish to stop along the way and your final destination is more than
200 km away, you can stamp the ticket a second time before it expires so as
to extend its validity to a maximum of 48 hours from the time it was first
stamped. If you forget to stamp your ticket in the machine, or you didn't
make it to the station in time to buy the ticket, you must actively seek out
a conductor and pay a ?5 fine.
Don't wait for the conductor to find out that you are without a valid ticket
(unless the train is overcrowded and walking becomes impossible), as he
might charge you a much heavier fine. You can buy train tickets for nearby
destinations (within a 200-km/124-mile range) at tobacconists and at ticket
machines in stations.
RAIL PASSES
For travellers under 26 there is a FS Cartaverde pass valid for one year
that reduces train fares by 20%. The Italian Railpass allows unlimited
travel on the entire Italian Rail network. The Italy Flexi Rail Card allows
a limited number of travel days within one month. Versions with 4, 8, or 12
travel days are available. Alternatively get an Italian Kilometrick Ticket,
biglietto chilometrico, valid for travellers of all ages, that entitles you
to 3000km with a maximum of 20 trips.
These are 2nd class only and supplements are applicable for IC and ES
trains. It is valid for two months and can be used by up to five people.
Make sure you get it validated at every station. If you're over 60, you can
purchase the Carta d'Argento (Silver Card), which allows a 40% discount on
first-class rail travel and a 20% discount on second-class travel. The
Eurail pass is considered by many as the best option for travelling through
Europe, and Italy is one of the 17 countries where you can use it. It is
especially good for those with limited time. There are 15, 21, 30 and 60 day
passes available and prices vary depending on the countries chosen for
travel. Discounts are available for those under 26 years.Make sure you check
out what discounts are available to you as a senior, student or child.
We recommend you look into buying your rail passes before you leave as they
can be more expensive within the country of travel. Also remember that rail
passes do not guarantee seats on trains. You still need to book a
reservation ahead of time as many trains are often crowded.
Backpackitaly.com sells train passes to locations in Europe. We encourage
you to buy your passes through us as any revenue raised goes directly back
into improving the site. Rail Connection www.railconnection.com
has more details on the Eurail
pass. Europrail www.europrail.net
offers Eurail and other European passes.
For further information on Italian train
passes check out the Ferrovie dello Stato
web site:www.trenitalia.it.
CLASSES
All Italian trains have first and second
classes. On local trains the higher first-class
fare gets you little more than a clean doily
on the headrest of your seat, but on long-distance
trains you get wider seats and more legroom
and better ventilation and lighting. At
peak travel times, first-class train travel
is worth the difference. Remember to always
make seat reservations in advance, for either
class.
SAFETY
Travelling by night is inexpensive, but
never leave your belongings unattended and
make sure the door of your compartment is
well locked. Train stations are not the
best places to spend the night although
they are generally well attended by police.
YOUR ADVICE
Make sure you validate your train tickets in Italy by punching them in
yellow machines on the stations. If you get caught they can give you hefty
fines. (David, South Africa).
Buy a kilometrico pass if you plan on doing a bit of travelling in Italy.
This train pass can be used for up to five people. You buy it for about Euro
100 and you have up to 3000 kilometres worth of travel. You simply fill in
the details and validate it in the yellow boxes on the train station but you
should also go to the ticket window because sometimes you have to pay a
supplement. (Mike, Australia).
It's not worth falsifying dates on your Eurail pass or even writing it in
pencil. Ours were confiscated! Fortunately we got them back in the morning
but it was a close shave. (Martha, Australia) .
If you forget to validate your ticket or if you don't have time to validate
a ticket in Italy don't worry. It was my first day in Rome and I didn't know
what to do and when a man checked our tickets mine was not validated. He
demanded a ITL 100,000 fine but I refused to pay saying it was unfair on my
first day. When he found I was in a group he let me go. (Melissa,Australia).
