travel and transportation

Trains

NOTE: All Italian train information can be found at: www.trenitalia.it

In most Italian train stations there are posted large yellow and white timetables, located along or at the end of the platforms. One will be the ‘PARTENZE’ (departures) and the other ‘ARRIVI’ (arrivals). At the left of the timetable you will see the times of departures and arrivals of the various trains.You will then read across to see when and where the train will stop. Also included: Binario (Bin, this is the track number); a small sign for a bed indicates that there are sleeping facilities; 1-2 means first and second class service; a knife and fork indicates that there is a dining car. Tickets are best purchased at the station; if you purchase your ticket on the train, or upgrade to another class, expect to pay a surcharge or Supplemento.

Remember that in Europe, all trains run on a 24 hour clock or military time: for example, 2:00 pm is 14:00 and 12:30 am is :30. Reading down the chart, all of the trains leaving will be listed chronologically at the left.Trains marked in red or blue are fast trains.

There are various kinds of trains in Italy. From the fastest to the slowest, these are:

• ‘Eurostar’(*ES) or Rapido (RAP) first class, with very few stops, about double the normal price but worth it; reservations only, automatic with purchase.Air-conditioned, with restaurant or bar car.
• Overnight Express trains, or variations thereof, with couchettes (or Wagon Lit) for sleeping.
• ‘Intercity’ (IC) or ‘EXPRESS’, normal, first and second-class service, making stops in most mid-sized cities.A good financial alternative to the rapid trains, but still fairly efficient.Also air-conditioned, usually with a bar/restaurant car as well.

On these first three options, you may choose either first or second-class. Second class is automatically given unless otherwise mentioned, but for those who truly want to pay for a little peace, first class is generally very smooth.However, second-class seats are usually perfectly fine and comfortable; unless you really want to splurge, first class is not necessary,

• ‘Interregionale’ (IR) or ‘Regionale’(R) trains, which are relatively local and may make several stops.Good for short trips or when not in a hurry.No air-conditioning, no bar car, etc.
• ‘Direct’ (D) or “Locale’, actually not very direct at all, these trains are very slow and make many stops.The cheapest alternative, these trains are older and more picturesque, but have no services or amenities.
• For all trains marked rapido, Express, Eurostar, InterCity, etc, there will be a supplemental charge, the supplemento.When you buy your ticket you will get an extra receipt or ticket, which is this charge.If you mistakenly board a train requiring a supplemento you can pay the charge on board with a surcharge.

If you are traveling with a group and want a compartment, you can get a reservation (it costs extra). Word to the wise: you cannot get a reservation on the day you travel. Check outside the compartment when you get on the train to see if it is reserved, to avoid a grumpy conductor.

Short distances do not normally have a restaurant car but vendors often pass through with overpriced drinks and coffee. The Rome-Florence Express train often has a pleasant buffet and restaurant car.Bringing your own fruit, sandwiches, and drinks is not a bad idea either and no one will object.

Storing Bags at the Train Station

Many train stations have places to store luggage, Bagaglio a mano. These are safe and easy to use, with the obvious exception of cameras and purses, which should be kept with you.

It is not easy to hail a taxi on the street in Italy, but it is possible.The easiest places to find a taxi are at the airports, train stations, or other major public spaces, where there are official taxi stands/stops and taxis are always waiting for passengers, Usually you will look for a taxi stand or call for a taxi; you will find that the dispatchers usually speak English. You will declare your location, and they will try to locate a taxi for you. They will then give you the name of the cab (ex: Milano 33), followed by the estimated time of arrival: usually 3-5 minutes. It is customary to round up on the price as a tip to the driver, or to offer 5-10%, but do not worry if you don’t have the right change: in general, tipping in Italy is not necessary, and people do not always expect it.

Buses – General Information

There are two types of buses: local city buses (ATAF in Florence) and the inter-city buses run by various companies, similar to the Greyhound system in the U.S.All buses use a ticket-validation system: you validate your ticket when you board the bus.If you have not done so and a conductor arrives, you will be assessed a fine.

ickets for local buses can be purchased at any tabacchi shop or stand (sells tobacco, stamps, etc), or at most newsstands, some bars, or at street machines. There are various choices of tickets: one ride or one hour (roughly); multiple-rides; or longer-term passes, such as for one month.