Questions about Italian Trip?

Question

1. I find that there are a number of train category as seem from the website “ferrovie” (http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/), what are their difference? Is the Eurorail pass covered all types of trains and all train companies in Europe, especially Italy. Where can I find more info. about that?

2. I would like to traval through Italy by train, but I would like to know weather there are lockets in all train stations for our luggage in Venice (S. Lucia), Milan (Milano Centrale)., Florence (Firenze S M N). Where can I find more about that?

And whether it is safe to do that? As I am thinking to book the hostel close to the train station, and then travel from one place to another in evening, so would like to put the luggage to the locket between the check out of hostel and train taking.

Answer 1

Basically, the difference between the various classes of the trains is the speed and number of stops and consequently, the cost. The Eurostars are the fastest and the most expensive - reservations are mandatory. Intercity trains are next - reservations are mandatory sometimes like peak hours.  The higher class trains have precedence if there are delays, but for all practical purposes, you shouldn't worry about this.

Yes, you can use Eurorail passes on Italian trains, but some may require supplements - for instance, a cuchette on a night train.

There are lockers in the main stations, but not necessarily a lot of them. You may be better off going to the left luggage office and checking your bag with the attendants. A little more expensive, but available when the lockers are already full.

Travel in Italy by train is usually pretty easy. I do it most weekends. By the way, the night trains are a good way to save on hotels if you plan to travel fairly long distances (eg, Rome - Venice). You can sleep on the train, arrive at your destination in the early morning, and the fare covers your lodging for the night.

Answer 2

Dear smilies1998, the italians are italians, the gipses are gipses that means gipses are not italians.

Answer 3

This site is better: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Click here http://www.trenitalia.com/en/treni_stazi...

for looking at all different kinds of train, and here http://www.trenitalia.com/en/area_client... for general informations.

People who travel usually state if you wnat to make a trip just inside one Country, is better buying ticket straight from them (in this case, Trenitalia) instead of Eurail (you can look at past question in this section of Answer).

All main stations do have a place where you can safely leave your luggage; you can ceck the signs when you're there (you should find the sing in English, but anyway in Italian is "Deposito Bagagli").

But generally, I just leave my luggage in the hotel.

On site like this one http://en.venere.com/ you can search for hotels also according to where they're located and you'll find any info about how to reach them from the railway station.

Answer 4

First I would never leave my luggage with any italians if its locked or not at the train station there are lots of gispes at all the train stations in Italy. If you lock it they break into them a lot from what I hear from people and if they see you put it in and you are American they will try even harder to get it. Not all train stations have lockets I know that for sure most dont have them for security reasons. Eurorail pass cover most regular trains but not the subway in Rome so if you plan to use that you need another ticket which is and couple of euro.