Page 630 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

628  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling by Train

Train travel is one of the best ways to explore Italy. Tickets are
inexpensive, services frequent, and the trains are some of the
most modern in Europe. Services can be busy, but the days of
rampant overcrowding are mostly over. Lines often run
through lovely countryside, from mountain lakes to rolling
plateaux, and they provide more convenient links between A Eurostar – one of Italy’s fastest trains
cities than roads or air travel. Only in the south, or deeply rural
areas, are services slow and infrequent. on both outbound and return
journeys, or you will be fined. A
ticket’s validity usually starts on
The Network
and Interregionali trains the day of purchase, so be sure
The bulk of Italy’s rail network is make more stops and require to specify the day of travel
an integrated state-run system no supplement. when buying tickets. Fares are
operated by Trenitalia of the All AV, ES, EC and Intercity calculated on a kilometric basis
Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), which trains are usually air-conditioned. and are among the cheapest
has introduced super-fast services Branch line carriages can still in western Europe. Many
reducing travel times between be ancient. discounted fares are offered,
major cities. In this, it competes Facilities for the disabled including special family tickets.
with the NTV consortium, whose include assistance at stations, Some online ticket purchases
trains are known as Italo by most exits on all fast trains and also carry discounts.
people. Smaller privately run lines international services. For Refunds involve a
also fill crucial gaps left by the assistance, ask at the special complicated process – enquire
FS, but through-tickets are Sale Blu (Blue Halls) in main line at the Assistenza counter at
generally available where travel train stations. major stations. It is important,
involves both networks. State therefore, to buy the correct
and private lines often share the ticket before travelling.
same main station (stazione), Tickets, Fares and If you plan to use trains often,
Timetables
and also charge similar fares. visit www.trenitalia.com for the
Tickets (biglietti) are available online timetable.
as single (andata) or return
Trains
(andata e ritorno) in first class
Trenitalia and NTV (Italo) take (prima classe) or second class Passes
advantage of the Alta Velocità (seconda classe). They can be The most useful pass for visitors
(AV) network between major bought at some travel agents is the Interrail Pass, which gives
cities in the north and south- or at any station ticket office unlimited travel for consecutive
wards as far as Naples. These, the (biglietteria). or non-consecutive days over
fast Eurostar (ES) and a handful Major stations have automatic varying periods, with special
of other special high-speed ticket machines and you can rates for those under 26. It can
trains always require pre- also buy tickets through the be purchased online or at most
booking of seats. Intercity (IC) Trenitalia app for iPhone and mainline stations and various
trains and Eurocity (EC) trains the ProntoTreno app for agencies outside Italy. An
only stop at major stations and Android and other devices. Interrail One Country Pass
require the pay ment of a Please note that you must be allows travel on any five or ten
supplement (un supplemento) registered on the Trenitalia days within a specific period
on top of the standard ticket website in order to use the within one country.
(supplements can be bought app, so it is wise to register
on the train, but are consider- before departure. Be sure to Validity and Reservations
ably more expensive). Regionali validate all non-digital tickets
Single or return tickets are valid
for up to two months from the
date of purchase. If a seat
reservation is made with the
ticket, however, the date you
wish to travel will be stamped
automatically on the ticket.
Reservations are automatic on
AV and Eurostar services, and
they are a good idea on all trains
on and around public holidays.
Reservations can be made at
The concourse at Stazione Termini, Rome most main stations or online.

628-629_EW_Italy.indd 628 4/5/17 9:32 AM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical (transport) template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1)
Date 2nd August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm