Are you going on a trip to Italy? Wonderful! Please note - when you make a route, you will understand that all the cities and sights of the country are located exactly along the line of the railway. It is best to go on a trip by train, because the railways of Italy stretch along the azure coast - while traveling, the view outside the window will please the eye with picturesque landscapes.
History of occurrence
The first railway in Italy was built in 1839. The length of the path was 7640 kilometers. A branch connected Naples and Portici. By the end of 1890, the railways of Italy had an extensive structure. They covered all the historical and cultural centers of the country. The beginning of the 21st century is characterized by the development of high-speed rail lines.
Today, Italy's railways have a length of 16,079 kilometers. The train is the most popular typetransport to travel around the country. There are already about thirteen major railway stations: these are Turin, Venice, Milan, Verona, Genoa, Rome, Bologna, Florence, Palermo, Naples, Bari. They occupy 225 thousand square meters and take about 480,000 passengers a day.
Train types
Trains are divided according to class, speed and distance:
1. High speed trains. The trip on them will be the fastest and most comfortable. Tickets for high-speed trains must be purchased no earlier than two months in advance. The most popular of this series of trains is the Eurostar. This is one of the fastest long distance trains. Tickets are quite expensive, a reservation will be charged separately.
2. Intercity trains. Trips are made between large and medium cities. Seats on the train are divided into first and second classes. Tickets are also purchased 2 months in advance. These trains include Eurocity. This train is intended for international flights, it makes stops only in large cities. Euronight is also a train that runs between cities, its difference from Eurocity is that it is on the way at night. The carriages are equipped with berths.
3. local trains. These are the least comfortable and cheapest trains. They drive short distances and make many stops. The most famous of this category is Treno Regionale. Runs only between two neighboring cities.
Many trains have facilities for bicycles, and long-distance trains have specialwagons for transporting cars. This type of service is called "treno + auto", the price depends on the size of the transport and the distance of the trip. Before you set off, you should thoroughly study the branch of the tracks, for this you will need a map of the Italian railways.
Travel schedule
At every train station in Italy there is a board with a timetable, which comes in white and yellow-orange colors. It indicates the route and time of departure or arrival of the train. For new arrivals, a white board is displayed, for those departing - yellow-orange. You can also check the train schedule on the website (see information below).
How to buy tickets
There are several ways to purchase tickets:
- Directly at the ticket office of the station. You should go to a free window and tell the cashier the time and the desired direction of the train departure, how many tickets you want to buy. You can pay by card or cash. In Italy, you may be asked to show proof of identity.
- Through a travel agency. But you will have to pay a fee.
- In vending machines (if available at the station). Using it is quite simple, but you need to know the exact name of the stations. On the monitor, select the language in which it will be more convenient to read, click on the "buy tickets" button and indicate when and to which station you intend to go.
- Via the Italian Railways website (see below for how to purchase).
Buy a ticket in any convenient way, rather visit the sights, the sea, the cute old towns of this country, and Italy will win your heart forever.
Railways: official website
With the help of the site, you can "build" your route in advance, view the schedule of all trains, order and pay for tickets. To purchase a coupon, you need to go to the main page of the site, register under the name indicated on the credit card, as you will pay with it. You also need to enter your email address, where the login password will be sent. After registration, go back to the main page and enter the date, month of the planned trip, where you are going to go, and the destination. The system will give several options, you choose the most suitable one. Find out the ticket price by clicking on the basket. Book a ticket after you finally decide on the trip! You can also specify the desired location, for example, "by the window." Click on "continue". And proceed to pay. To buy a ticket, cards are suitable: Visa Classic or Master Card. We warn you that the website of the Italian Railways is in English.
Ticket stamping
So, you have purchased a ticket. Go to the station. But do not rush to hit the road, first validate the ticket in any yellow or blue machine. This device should print the date and time of composting. This will serve as proof of the validity of the ticket. Remember! For a non-composted ticket, you can be charged the samepen alty, as in the absence of it at all. Such are the rules in this country. If you have purchased an e-ticket, then it is not necessary to insert it into the device, as the date and time of the trip are indicated on it.
Italian railways offer a wide range of services for residents and tourists. For example, a detailed schedule, comfortable trains, transportation of goods, buying tickets in a convenient way, luggage storage. Security at the station is provided by the police.
