Trains in Italy
The boot of Italy is almost completely girdled by railway tracks. This does little to enhance the coastline, but it makes for scenic train rides and preserves Italy's mountainous interior. The great majority of the network, which covers some 19,588km and has around 3,500 stations, is owned by the state and is known as the Ferrovie Statale. There are however a few private lines, such as that which rings Mount Vesuvius in Southern Italy.
The fares for travelling by train are calculated according to distance travelled, the type of train, and whether you choose a first or second class seat. Below is a list of the various types of trains, arranged in order of cost and speed at which they travel.
- ETR 450 Pendolino
- Eurostar Italia (TAV)
- Express
- Diretto
- Locale
The ETR 450, 460 and 480 Pendolino is a first class, high speed train for which reservations are obligatory. Running between Milan and Rome, the train is designed to compete with air services. The latest ETR 500 reaches a speed of 300 km per hour. Seat reservation is also obligatory on Eurostar Italia trains. A rapido supplement of around 30 per cent of the cost of the fare is levied on most lines. With the introduction of the ETR 480 and 500, the old ETR trains are being converted to sleepers. The principal routes covered by these night trains connect Puglia with Milan and Rome.
The Express and Diretto also cover long distances but stop frequently, particularly the Diretto. The Locale only runs short distances and dawdles interminably at each station, as it usually has to give way to any train of a higher category and is frequently overtaken.
Seat reservations can be made from two months up to three hours before the time of departure, bookings being taken at the railway station or from an authorised travel agency. When you board the train you will find your seat is reserved with a card bearing your name. However, once the train has started reserved seats that are not occupied may be taken by other passengers. If you buy your ticket on the train you will have to pay a surcharge of 20 per cent.
Rail Cards and Economy Tickets
Before booking a ticket you may wish to look into the various types of rail cards and economy tickets that exist.
- Carta Verde is a youth rail card for people aged between 12 and 26 years. It offers a discount of 20 per cent for one year on the fare for first and second class tickets.
- Carta d'Argento is a personal seasonal ticket, valid for one year, which allows people over 60 years to purchase first and second class tickets with a 20 per cent discount on basic fares on all national routes.
- If you are not a resident of Italy you can purchase the Italy Rail Card. This ticket gives unlimited travel on the State railway network for a period of 8, 15, 21 or 30 days, depending on the length of time you wish. You can travel in first or second class, there are no surcharges and seat reservations are not necessary. The Italy Flexi Card offers a similar service but for periods of 4,8 or 12 days over a one-month duration.
- If you intend to cover great distances by rail you may be interested in the Biglietto Chilornetrico ticket. The 'kilometric' ticket allows free travel for up to 3,000km and is valid for two months. It can be used by up to five people, but no more than 20 journeys can be made.
- Regular reduced fares are also offered to senior citizens and children under 12, while children under four who do not occupy a seat travel free.
