While
the Italian train system has traditionally suffered in reputation
(compared to, say, the immininently reliabe German schedule),
train travel in Italy today is quicker, more efficient,
and ultimately much more convenient than driving.
Practical
travel tips
Trenitalia
is the name to know when traveling throughout Italy by train.
Travelers
planning a trip can become quite familiar with services
offered simply by visiting their Web site in
English to learn about current schedules, seasonal specials
and travel passes - including an easy, interactive database
to search for times and types of travel. Book your ticket
online, simply print it out, and you're done.
Look
to Intercity services for the most on-time performance,
with the Regionale and Interregionale lines less so - largely
due to the many stops taken out in the "provinces".
For
extra-fast service, you may want to upgrade to the Eurostar
line, but be sure to compare the schedule of the pricier
ticket, with the regular one, before you purchase. Eurostar
can whisk you to your destination in no time, or take just
as long - depending on the destination!
For
extra-long routes, i.e., Naples to Milan, the best and cheapest
way to go is via Treni Notte, or the night train,
which departs in the late evening and will arrive at your
destination by morning.
If
you prefer travel within Italy at a moment's notice, just
remember that lines at the station can be very long, so
ensure at least some extra time to purchase your ticket
onsite. Look for the touch-screen ticket machines by which
you can purchase your ticket (in English) more quickly.
However, at rush hour note that the lines at the machines
may just as long as those at the ticket window!
If
all else fails, you can try climbing aboard any train and
face the conductor, (cash only, no credit cards please)
who most likely will smile and take pity on any harried
traveler. Just be prepared to pay an extra fee for being
ticketless ...
Italian
Train Information on the Web:
Trenitalia
[
in
English ]
Seeing
Italy by Train
Italy
Train How To's
Italy
Rail Travel Map
Italy
Train Tips
Also
see -> Mama
Mia! Stuck on a rush hour train from Florence to Rome
Italy
Maps
