YESSSS! Firenze-Roma is really available for 20 Euro ^ Hope it puts some serious pricing pressure on trenitalia.
Too bad they don't serve Termini, but I can live with a short metro ride.
Wonder if their onboard Wifi will be as spotty as my chiavetta is on that route.
twa777
Jun 25, 12, 3:01 pm
Any reports of how the new Italo service is? It looks nice from what I've seen, and I was thinking of giving it a try on an upcoming trip. Since there are four of us traveling together, we could splurge and share a private Salotto in Club service -- particularly as they have a special going where you can get a four-person Salotto for the price of three Club tickets.
BTW, CNN has an article today on the service on their website today (which is what got me interested): 'Ferrari' train driving high-speed rail renaissance (www.cnn.com/2012/06/22/travel/ferrari-train-italo-ntv/index.html)
railways
Jun 26, 12, 4:20 am
Program name: Italo Più (http://www.italotreno.it/EN/loyalty-programme/italopiu/Pages/default.aspx)
Launch date: 15/04/2012
The card: the card is a smart card based on rfid technology which is supposed to deliver a faster & more tailored purchase experience.
Earning: 1 point / 5 euros, disregarding the travel class.
Redeeming: a) journeys on Italo, min 3600 points - max 12.000 based on distance & class; b) reward shop; c) partner rewards
Alice11, I think you mean 5 points / 1 euro, otherwise it would be a pretty worthless program! (€18,000 spend to get a free Rome - Florence ticket :o).
Alice11
Jun 26, 12, 4:30 am
Alice11, I think you mean 5 points / 1 euro
Correct Railways, sorry, I'm amending the text.
The program is more generous than the 'Cartaviaggio' ran by Trenitalia
Alice11
Jun 26, 12, 4:39 am
With the 'launch' of the base at Roma Ostiense in June and then the launch of Eataly Roma on June 21, Italo now shares the 'Air Terminal' building with Eataly Roma - www.roma.eataly.it
staylor9
Jun 26, 12, 7:38 am
I just tried to price out a ticket from Florence to Rome for the end of September, but it came back saying there were no trains available for that date. Do you think they just don't service that path during that time, or is it just too far out to book right now? My guess is it's the latter.
Alice11
Jun 26, 12, 7:41 am
Do you think they just don't service that path during that time, or is it just too far out to book right now? My guess is it's the latter.
Reservations are available up to August 25, as they are making the timetable available step by step.
staylor9
Jun 26, 12, 7:44 am
OK. Thank you! I'll have to check back in a couple weeks.
PaxCGN
Jul 11, 12, 9:48 am
Just tried the "Italo" at a good rate (around 45 Euros pP) in the medium class. Seats were very comfortable (only three per row), luggage space decent and service with free drinks and small snacks a nice surprise after having to pay for coffee on DB (German Rail).
Speed was up to 300km/h most of the time and ride comfortable.
30mins delay of departure and arrival might have been a case of rare poor luck and although it cost us our onward connection is not really extraordinary for rail travel in Europe (quite common on DB and to my experience even worse all but the Scandinavian countries).
The waiting lounge in Rome unfortunately doesn't have enough seats (not even for on-time departure) and the passwords they give out for the free wifi aren't working.
Unfortunately there is no prior notice given, that the wifi on-board that ntv is advertising, is not yet functional and the aircon was not operational on some of the cars (this we also know fromDB), which spoiled the experience.
Alice11
Jul 16, 12, 1:18 pm
Reservations are now available for journeys up to September 23.
Alice11
Jul 24, 12, 1:51 am
Salerno will be served by NTV from August 1.
The route is: Salerno > Naples - Rome > Florence - Bologna - Milan
twa777
Jul 25, 12, 2:32 pm
Four of us took the Italo from Rome to Florence today and had a very nice trip. I had pre-booked us in Club class, as they had an offer to buy 3, get 1 free if you were reserving an entire compartment. Since compartments seem less common on more modern trains today, I thought it would be a fun experience (and nice to try their top service).
The compartment was pretty comfortable, with power reclining, leather seats that still had that new-train smell. Leg room seemed a little tight when sharing it with the person across from you, but not unreasonable and it was nice to enjoy the trip in our private space. The on-board staff was very friendly and helpful, bringing us soft drinks and munchies when we departed, and finally carrying all our luggage to the door when we arrived in Florence. We left Rome a little late due to a sick passenger on the train from before, but still made it into Florence close to on-time.
A few notes from our trip:
- From Rome, the Italo trains depart from the new Tiburtina station, which seems to have just been finished. It's still lacking many services like shops and restaurants, so don't show up to that station expecting to have a meal before departure. Similarly, it looks like there will be a first class lounge above the departure area, but it's not open yet.
- On-board Wi-fi seems to be available on now; however, using it requires either an Italo frequent traveler card or having an activation code sent to your mobile phone. If this is your one trip on Italo and you're not traveling with a mobile for use in Italy, you're out of luck.
- Club service includes at-seat video, though the available content is very sparse (particularly when it comes to English language content). They offer an electronic newspaper, though that appears to be scanned copies of a print newspaper that you have to zoom in on to read -- the whole interface there seems very dated. However, with all the Italian scenery going by, I didn't really need the video system anyway.
In summary, the knocks are all pretty minor things compared to what matters more to me: fast service, stylish, comfortable trains, and friendly, attentive service.
Forrest Bump
Jul 26, 12, 9:52 am
ITALO train service is great, and since then has been a Trenitalia's flourishing of promo, offers and general increasing of cheaper available seats.
So far so good...
Alice11
Jul 31, 12, 9:19 am
From August 26 it's available a no-stop service between Rome - Tiburtina and Milano - Rogoredo. 2h 45'
Alice11
Sep 25, 12, 12:36 pm
Rome - Venice is now available in the booking engine, NTV will launch the service on Oct 3.
The route is Rome Ostiense - Rome Tiburtina - Florence - Bologna - Padova - Mestre - Venice.
staylor9
Oct 2, 12, 12:13 pm
Just got back from a trip to Italy and we took Italo from Florence to Rome. We opted to book coach class since it was such a short trip. Overall I thought the train cars were nice and in great shape. The bathroom was also very nice and clean compared to previous train trips we've taken in Europe. Overall I'd definitely recommend Italo.
Alice11
Nov 9, 12, 1:48 pm
Turin is in the network from December 9.
franxit
Dec 26, 12, 4:33 pm
Italo is my favourite carrier of choice, given how practical connections to the Milan metro area are from Garibaldi and Rogoredo stations.
corky
Jan 4, 13, 4:48 pm
Where should I be looking for train travel this April between Rome, Florence and Venice? We would like to have some flexibility so I don't know how far in advance reservations need to be made. Or is there some sort of pass? We will be in Italy for about 9 days.
Is there a website that lists all the carriers or should we just be focusing on one?
Alice11
Jan 5, 13, 4:27 pm
Where should I be looking for train travel this April between Rome, Florence and Venice? We would like to have some flexibility so I don't know how far in advance reservations need to be made. Or is there some sort of pass? We will be in Italy for about 9 days.
Is there a website that lists all the carriers or should we just be focusing on one?
High-speed service pricing is quite similar to the airline pricing.
Peregrinus
Jan 7, 13, 11:43 pm
Italo is my favourite carrier of choice, given how practical connections to the Milan metro area are from Garibaldi and Rogoredo stations.
Agreed on leaving Milan, but that advantage is negated if you then have to lug it over to Termini for any regional travel, etc...
corky
Jan 8, 13, 10:43 am
Do trains not run every day between major cities? I threw in some random dates for April between Rome & Florence and both came up with no service. And when there was a day with service, there was only one train (I expected several times to choose from) and it was more expensive than I had imagined. Is there any kind of unlimited train travel pass?
Alice11
Jan 8, 13, 1:07 pm
Agreed on leaving Milan, but that advantage is negated if you then have to lug it over to Termini for any regional travel, etc...
How are Termini and Centrale different? Anyway Italo doesn't get to Termini. The NTV bases are Tiburtina and Ostiense.
Alice11
Jan 8, 13, 1:09 pm
Do trains not run every day between major cities?
Sure, but
I threw in some random dates for April between Rome & Florence and both came up with no service.
currently, bookings are available only until March 18:
http://www.italotreno.it/EN/timetables-prices/timetables-connections/Pages/overview.aspx
Alice11
Jan 15, 13, 10:31 am
dates for April between Rome & Florence
Bookings up to May 6 will be available from Jan 22.
corky
Jan 15, 13, 11:19 am
Bookings up to May 6 will be available from Jan 22.
thank you!
I am still trying to find out if there is some type of 7-10 day tourist pass for unlimited train travel. anyone?
Peregrinus
Jan 15, 13, 3:01 pm
How are Termini and Centrale different? Anyway Italo doesn't get to Termini. The NTV bases are Tiburtina and Ostiense.
Right, that's what I mean; if you arrive at Tib. and have a Trenitalia regional departure (which I usually do, anyway) it's much more convenient to have arrived at Termini itself...
Alice11
Jan 15, 13, 3:15 pm
Right, that's what I mean; if you arrive at Tib. and have a Trenitalia regional departure (which I usually do, anyway) it's much more convenient to have arrived at Termini itself...
It really depends on the regional line. I mean, some of them have no stops at Termini and the other way round. A few have stops at both stations - or at Ostiense - and, yes, in that cas preferences may apply.
Peregrinus
Jan 15, 13, 8:48 pm
some of them have no stops at Termini
Good point, you're quite right; it would have to depend on where you're headed...
frank_10b
Jan 28, 13, 8:15 am
does anyone know which track italotreno uses in milano porta garibaldi?
(malpensa express uses 13, and I want to know if they are close enough to make a 3 minute connection)
corky
Jan 30, 13, 1:37 pm
Ok--see some good fares for our trip in April but should I book this far in advance? Can you make changes?
There are 2 Romes & 2 Venices....how do I know which is the one I want? Which is the most convenient to the city center? Sorry...as you can see I am totally ignorant when it comes to this.
franxit
Jan 30, 13, 6:23 pm
does anyone know which track italotreno uses in milano porta garibaldi?
(malpensa express uses 13, and I want to know if they are close enough to make a 3 minute connection)
Any track between 13 and 20
Ok--see some good fares for our trip in April but should I book this far in advance? Can you make changes?
There are 2 Romes & 2 Venices....how do I know which is the one I want? Which is the most convenient to the city center? Sorry...as you can see I am totally ignorant when it comes to this.
Venezia S.Lucia is the one located on Venice island, while Mestre is on the mainland. As a tourist, you'll probably want to use the one on the island.
About Rome: it truly depends on where your hotel in Rome is located. Both stations are on the metro B line, have a look at the metro map to decide. Both stations are served by airport trains to Fiumicino.
corky
Jan 31, 13, 11:29 am
Any track between 13 and 20
Venezia S.Lucia is the one located on Venice island, while Mestre is on the mainland. As a tourist, you'll probably want to use the one on the island.
About Rome: it truly depends on where your hotel in Rome is located. Both stations are on the metro B line, have a look at the metro map to decide. Both stations are served by airport trains to Fiumicino.
Thank you! that is a big help. We are staying at the Westin Excelsior in Rome so I will have to look at a map.
I sent an email to the train company 2 days ago but have not heard back. There are some very good fares posted between Rome & Florence now but I wonder how long in advance we need to purchase our ticket & if it is refundable/changeable. I hate to lock in to a time now as our trip is in April & we want to stay flexible. I don't know if it is like the airlines & those fares will disappear as we get closer to the date. Also, is there a certain train company that services the Tuscany region?
franxit
Jan 31, 13, 1:00 pm
Keep in mind that any ticket purchased at a rock-bottom price (low cost and promo on Italo treno) will be not refundable.
Fares are very likely to disappear up 7 days before your intended travel date, the ones on Trenitalia will be definitely gone, while Italo usually has decent priced tickets up to 3 days before.
Tuscany is served by trenitalia, for regional travel (short distance) there's no reason to purchase tickets in advance, as Italian train prices are very low compared to the rest of Europe. If I were you I'd give italo business class a try on longer routes, as prices are very convenient and the price will be a fraction of what you'd pay on a flight.
corky
Feb 1, 13, 10:42 am
Keep in mind that any ticket purchased at a rock-bottom price (low cost and promo on Italo treno) will be not refundable.
Fares are very likely to disappear up 7 days before your intended travel date, the ones on Trenitalia will be definitely gone, while Italo usually has decent priced tickets up to 3 days before.
Tuscany is served by trenitalia, for regional travel (short distance) there's no reason to purchase tickets in advance, as Italian train prices are very low compared to the rest of Europe. If I were you I'd give italo business class a try on longer routes, as prices are very convenient and the price will be a fraction of what you'd pay on a flight.
Thank you for this....I didn't see the non refundable stuff anywhere on there so I was wondering if I will be told this before I click to buy the ticket. Also, even though it may be non-refundable....is it changeable? Can we change the time or the date?
franxit
Feb 1, 13, 3:00 pm
Nope, promotickets cannot be modified. That's how you travel from Milan to Rome for 9 euros one way.