RAIL PASSES
For full information on Italian train passes check out the Ferrovie dello Stato web site www.trenitalia.com.
Backpackitaly offer passes through Europrail and Rail Connection to destinations in Europe.

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. Europrail offers Euro and other European passes. Rail Connection provides passes for all over Europe including the Eurail pass. Make sure you buy your pass before you leave for Europe. Also remember that rail passes do not guarantee seats on trains. You still need to book the seats ahead of time as Italian trains, especially the high-speed ones, are often crowded.

BUS PASSES
You may also consider getting a bus pass through Bus About Eurobus or Eurolines.
Eurolines is the largest network of international buses in Europe and they operate through major towns in Italy (Florence, Milan, Naples, Rome, Venice). You can also make the following internal journesy as part of your Italian pass: Florence - Milan - Florence; Milan - Pisa - Milan; Milan - Siena - Rome; Milan - Siena - Milan.
People under 26 years are around 10% less than the adult full fare. There are several circular explorer routes and passes available. Individual tickets are available on all routes with a number of circuits available allowing the traveller to travel along a pre-determined circular route taking in various destinations along the way. These passes are supplemented by the more flexible Eurolines pass. The Eurolines pass is probably the best travel deal in Europe allowing unlimited travel between 46 destinations in 26 countries on the Eurolines network. This pass is great value particularly during summer when it is a cheaper travel option than the equivalent Busabout pass. For more information visit the website at www.eurolines.com

Busabout busabout.info@virgin.net is another pass option for travellers and will also book accommodation for you in advance. However most of these are camping sites outside major towns. Eurobus also operates providing a hop on and off service. Busabout buses serve the following Italian destinations: Florence, La Spezia, Ancona, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Siena, Sorrento and Venice.

LOCAL TRANSPORT
Within each city there are daily, several day, weekly or monthly passes for local transport. Check our city guides for more details or email us to ask at italy@backpackglobe.com

DRIVING
Auto Europe offers worldwide car rental services including coverage of Italy. They also have scheduled air from the USA to Europe, 2,000+ three and four star hotels, prestige and sports car rentals, hotel bookings, chauffeur drive and transfer services, European and South Pacific Motorhome Rentals, and European cellular phone rentals.

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