Italian Trains

Train travel in Italy is a breeze.. Tickets can be purchased online at Italiarail and come in 2 basic types.. E-Ticket and Self -Print. The inter-city trains are usually e-ticket and the regionals are self-print..

Most trains from Rome will start at the Roma Termini Station.. Ours did..

The central station in Rome is a lot like a small city, with designer shops, restaurants, and small stands selling everything from pretzels to souvenirs. Needless to say, it is a pretty big place.

The trains are easy to find.. the routes can be a little difficult. At any given time there can be several trains, either going to or passing through wherever you are trying to get, and leaving within 15 minutes of each other. Fortunately, the route signs are labeled with each stop that continually scrolls…keep your eyes open and pay attention and you’ll be fine..

As I said, the trains are clean and comfortable.. The seats in 1st class have power outlets and tables.

The trip to Florence from Rome takes a mere 1 1/2 on the ICN (nonstop) trains with the regionals being a bit slower. Either way, it is a nice way to enjoy the rolling Italian countryside.

There are a couple train stations in Florence..The first being Campo di Marte.

It is a good 20-30 minute hike to the center of the city so if you are staying close to the Duomo your best bet is the next station, Santa Maria Novella.

With only a couple days on this whirlwind trip.. we dropped our bags at the hotel (Hotel Cardinal of Florence) and had a cappuccino on the terrace with this view…