I know that one of the experts on this board has posted before about a Rail Pass not being a savings over buying individual tickets. I was just trying to figure out how much to budget for ou
I know that one of the experts on this board has posted before about a Rail Pass not being a savings over buying individual tickets. I was just trying to figure out how much to budget for our train transportation within Italy and am coming up with more questions than I started with! I am hoping one of you can enlighten me on the transportation portion of our trip. While in Italy this June/July, my family of 6 (2 adults, 1 Youth age 14, and 3 kids under 12) will be traveling from Rome to Venice, Venice to Rome, and Rome to Naples to transfer to the Circumvesuviana to Pompei and then back to Rome. The way I calculated the tickets is: Slow train to Venice from Rome/1st class restricted = $348 for all of us; Fast train back to Rome from Venice/1st class restricted = $564; RT from Rome to Naples for all of us = $324; which is a grand total of $1236. When I examined the Pass option, for a first class Eurail Italy Savers Pass for the 6 of us it would cost $975 for 3 days within 2 months (found at raileurope.com which is where trenitalia sent me for a pass). Am I looking at the right Pass? This train question seems to be asked a lot so I'm sorry for asking it again! This just seems like too big of a savings to ignore without checking into it a bit more. Thank you all in advance!
For groups traveling together, a pass is more often a good deal than for a solo traveler.
I assume you're doing Pompeii as a day-trip?
If so, for 3 days of first-class travel, I also see $975 for your party in first class.
I don't know if RailEurope has a mark-up on rail passes - they definitely do on train tickets, sometimes substantial - but you can also buy passes through ricksteves.com and budgeteuropetravel.com (this last has a tollfree number you can call for assistance as well).
Note, your pass will not include the round-trip on the Circumvesuviana commuter train from the Naples station to Pompeii. However, the cost is minimal - 2.40 per person each direction, or you can save a whopping 10 euro cents by buying a day ticket (Giornaliero).
That was my question as well.... No need for first class. This isn't India, where the class systems means huge changes and where westerners only feel comfortable in Premier class carriages... Second class is more then sufficient. It'll save you a few bucks and you'll get most of the same comfort...
RC- Thanks - I will look at the other two websites regarding group passes. And yes, we will be going to Pompei on a day trip - a loooong day trip it seems like! But I feel comfortable with the process of getting off the train from Rome in Naples and going downstairs (?) to get the Circumvesuviana to Pompei - mostly because of all the train questions asked and answered in this forum!
Henry and Melissa- no reason for the first-class in particular, just as a reference to compare passes vs single tickets. I'm sure second class would be fine too.
As you get off the train in Naples, head down the "hallway" to the left. The ticket window for the Circumvesuviana is on that level. Once you have your tickets, head in the same direction and you'll see the stairs/escalators down to track level.
(I know, it seemed strange to me the first time I went that there could be a "downstairs" at a train station. But there it is!)
Are you travelling from the U.S.? Not that it matters, but check out www,ricksteves.com about rail passes in Europe, his site will explain everything about rail passes to you, just type in the itinerary as you did above, the number and ages of passengers and his staff will calculate the best possible tickets/passes you will require. As for 1st versus 2nd class, the only difference really is in the price, no matter where you sit both 1st and 2nd class passengers will arrive at their destination at exactly the same time, one gets to go cheaper than the other. Take a lunch, something to drink and save that way too.
Reminder: don't forget to validate your train tickets at the yellow box at the beginning of your train track...if you don't validate, the conductor can charge you a penalty fee.
Can anyone explain the difference between 1st & 2d class experience on the FRECCIARGENTO class train? On a 6-7 hour trip from Salerno to Venice would the first class trip be a +. We don't get to Europe that much.
