Rail
German DB
EuroRail: Rail Europe Destination & Price: $
Train from Paris to Venice: Simplon Express
(Paris, Lausanne, Brigue, Domodossola, Milan, Venice, Trieste).
Italian Train Rail Station Info
Out of Florence: Florence Transportation
Back Packer's Transportation
Rail Time Table
=========== Travelogue ===================================
Rail Travel [France]
My husband and I were in France this past Fall traveling with Europasses. Wanting to go from Paris to Versailles without having to buy an extra ticket (we already had Metro passes for Paris) seemed impossible, until a Japanese couple showed us how: Getting on the train was no problem but exiting without a ticket was impossible. We followed them to the information desk, where we showed our passes, and were given a yellow ticket called a "contremarque gratuite" at no charge! We tried it again on the way back to Paris and it worked like a charm!
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I visited the rail pass section of ETBD and compared the rates for point-to-point travel on the map that was provided at the site for travel around France and into the Benelux. Hmmm. ETBD's map lists average or more expensive ticket costs. If you would like more detailed pricing for France rail, check out the SNCF( http://www.sncf.fr/indexe.htm )web site. There are hurge discounts for point-to-point and return travel throughout France if you travel at the right time--certain dates and times of day are deeply discounted. I found that the cost of my point-to-point ticket was about half of the price listed on the ETBD map (including a supplement/reservation in second class). Getting train tickets in France is very easy! I would recommend thinking twice about a pass.
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Rail Travel [ITALY]:
Don't bother with the italian rail pass. You can purchase a ticket called a "biglietto kilometro" which allows up to 20 trips or approximately 2,000 kilometers for only $120 US. Not only that, you can share this pass with up to five people! It is available at any train station in Italy. Like the Italy rail pass, you will still have to pay for reservations on pendolino speed trains, so make sure you check the timetables. Buona Fortuna!!
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My mother-in-law and I spent 2 weeks traveling to Rome, Florence, Venice, and Siena in November. Purchased a 1st-class kilometric pass for the train--even used it from the airport to the Rome termini. We may have saved some money but it was a hassle to keep paying big supplements each time we used it.
We were sent 3 different places before finding the building in front of track 19 at Rome termini to get back to the airport. We had to pay first-class supplements even on trains with no first class. We were put in a smoking car on one long trip and not seated together, so we learned to ask some questions before our next trip. In Venice we paid an 80,000 lire supplement to get back to Rome and he tried to give me only L10,000 change from my 100,000. (He even had the other 10,000 in his palm!)
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Riding the Eurostar in Italy was the most stressful part of our recent trip. We took the train from Rome to Florence and back. The train station is very busy and you cannot rely on the ticket sellers' English skills. Here are some tips:
1) DO NOT BUY FIRST-CLASS TICKETS. It was a complete waste of money and coach seats are fine.
2) ASK ANYONE FOR HELP IF YOU ARE TRYING TO FIND YOUR TRAIN. Italians are quite nice when approached, tho they may not seem it in their hustle to catch the train. Asking can avoid some potential confusion such as the train not leaving on the right track.
3) ASK FOR RESERVED COACH SEATING. This might not be available on all trains, but it is highly recommended. We traveled off season and the trains were full.
4) MAKE SURE YOU GET EUROSTAR TICKETS. We had asked for ES tickets to Rome and got the regular local tickets from the ticket agent. The conductor wanted not only the additional cost, but also a surcharge for a ticket adjustment (around $15). We successfully refused to pay surcharge. It felt a little like a scam, so be careful and TAKE YOUR TIME when using Eurostar Italia.
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When in Italy, reserve your seats in 1st and 2nd class, at all times, on all the trains (Eurostar and regular). We found out the hard way and ended up on the the 5-hour commuter train from Milano to Florence after our 14-hour plane ride...and we did not have seats on this packed train. This was off season, so I can only imagine what busy season would be like. It was interesting to say the least. Reserve your seats in the non-fum (non-smoking) trains.
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We just returned from three weeks in Italy. After studying all the Italian Rail websites we decided not to buy passes and instead bought point-to-point tickets as we went each day. Smartest thing we ever did! We traveled 2nd class on all but one train. Our 12 different trains cost only $90 each. The passes were twice that or more. We never waited more than 5 min. in a line to buy tickets and that included Milan and Florence, and except for one misread schedule, never missed a train or found it entirely full. We even encountered a 24-hr. strike! Be sure and do your homework before you go; you just might save enough for an extra gelato or two!
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I was glad riding the overnight train to Italy we brought the bunge cord. Somehow the door came unlock (maybe the vibration, maybe not) and someone tried the door. This came in handy more than once. Be sure to reserve an overnight compartment 24 hours in advance. We missed our first train that was full even in November!!!
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Jim's comments (below) on the trains in the Cinque Terre. The train direction are posted on signs on the tunnel wall facing the station: "Per Genoa" and "Per La Spezia." Also, trains going south were going to La Spezia and trains going north were going to Genoa.
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And the track (Binario) for the train to the airport (Fiumicino)