Rome-Florence and Florence-Venice Trains

[dsa]

We (2 of us) will be traveling in Italy for the first time and will be taking trains from Rome to Florence on Monday October 28 and from Florence to Venice on Thursday October 30.

I have searched on the internet for schedules and fares, and have the following questions:

1) During this time of year are the trains very crowded? Are reservations, with reserved seats a must?

2) I have searched the internet for fares and schedules and only find Eurostar trains. Are there local trains also available?
If so, what is the preferred type?

[BARATIER]

There are other trains like the ITR but maybe they just havent' post schedules on the internet.

As far as reservations, i don't think you need to make reservations unless its an over nite train or a TGV or any supertrain like that.

Bara

[NFLqueen]

Hi there

Rome to Florence is a VERY frequent route - trains likely leave several times an hour, as such with Florence to Venice. Yes the trains will be fairly crowded but just make sure to show up about 15 min early or get on the train as soon as it arrives or is posted on the boards.

This should help you with your scheduling and fares www.trenitalia.com/ just enter rome - florence and your dates, and there ya go

You just need to look at either EC- eurocity or IC intercity schedules, from the Eurorail schedule book I had this past summer any listing with an "R" means yes you will need a supplimentary seat reservation. I don't recall needing to make reservations for Florence to Rome. Any higher speed trains usually require it - sometimes a train with req'd reservations will be leaving within 20min of a train to the same destination with no reservations req'd.

I didn't look at this site in much depth but I hope it helps.

Good luck!

Kelly

[dsa]

Bara & Kelly -

Thanks for the info...
The Euro trains are direct and the local trains must stop at all stations, increasing the travel time.

Thanks Again!

[LHR02]

Here's the info I have....making the same route more or less in December

Fast trains Florence to Venice, including the express supplement are $40 first class, $25 second class. There are 7 per day and take 3 hours

Don't have prices yet on Rome to Florence, but there are minimum of 12 per day, fast trains, and take 2 hours. Nearly all trains on this route stop at Orvieto BTW. When I get a handle on the prices I will let you know. But shouldn't be much more than Florence to Venice, in fact, probably a bit less.

ging

Oh, and I was all over these routes January last and while these routes are not crowded by summer standards, they are still two of the most used routes in Italy and can become quite crowded. Don't let that "R" scare you off....never was more than 2 euros and well worth it for peace of mind to know you have a seat!