TRAINS IN ITALY
The rail service, called Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), operates many different types of train. The fastest, most comfortable service is the costly Eurostar, also called Pendolino. Seat reservations are compulsory on this train. On other types of train, such as the so called Intercity, reservations are optional and cost a small amount extra. It's worth paying in order to guarantee a seat. On the cheapest regional trains sometimes seat reservations aren't possible.
You can buy your ticket directly inside any train station in Italy, Also it is possibile to buy tickets from the automatic machines inside the stations. You can also go to the Ferrovie dello Stato web site and buy a ticket online, however you must be a resident in Italy to do so
Remenber that in Italy you must always validate your ticket in the yellow stampimg machine on the platforms inside the train stations. There officers that can be quite nasty if they find you without a valid ticket.
All Italian cities have the main railway station located in the city center with
secondary stations located in the suburbs.
Asking for direction for the train station: "Scusi, dove si trova la Stazione dei Treni?"
In every major city, centrally located tourist centers provide maps and information regarding transportation, lodging, food and entertainment. One can also purchase maps at bookstores and newsstands.
It is possible to buy two types of train
tickets: First class, or Second Class. The First Class seats obviusly are better quality seats, recline, with fewer seats per car, and with more space
for luggage. Second class accommodations are cheaper but with less space and less quality.
To buy online rail tickets in Italy, it's best to
visit Rail
Europe for the long-established specialists on rail travel
in Europe, and on their website you can find point-to-point rail
tickets for single journeys from one destination to another in
Italy, as well as tickets for Premier Trains and Passes (see
below).
Rail Europe site serves North American residents only.
Rail Passes are
Italy Flexi Rail Card gives 4 days, 8 days, or 12 days
unlimited train travel in Italy in a 1 month period.
Italy Flexi Rail Card Saver gives 4, 8, or 12 days
unlimited train travel in a 1 month period at a great discount
if you will be traveling throughout Italy with a friend or more.
France'n Italy Pass gives travel in the two most popular
European countries, France and Italy. Saverpass and Youthpass
versions are also available.
Italy Rail 'n Drive gives 3 days train and 2 days Hertz car
rental with unlimited mileage in Italy.
Here's the link to get the Italian Passes:
Single Country Passes: choose your country in Europe
Furthermore, there's the option of acquiring a European Rail
Pass covering other countries as well as Italy. Multi-national
passes are:
Eurailpass gives you unlimited travel in the 17 countries
of Western Europe, covering over 100,000 miles of rail network:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. There are several
options, variations to suit one's needs, and discounts for
groups of two or more and for travellers up to 26 years old.
Here's the link to get more info or purchase it online:
Multiple Country Passes: create your own pass
Europass gives you unlimited train travel in five of the most
frequently visited countries of Europe: France, Germany, Italy,
Spain, and Switzerland. You can add other countries if you like.
Special rates are available to:
With Eurail Selectpass you can choose any three bordering
countries of the 17 Eurailpass countries (which include Italy)
in which you can unlimited travel.
Discounts for two or more people travelling together and
travellers of 26 and under apply here as well.
Here's the link to get more info or purchase it online:
Eurail Selectpass (3 countries), as low as $243 
|
