IC and Freccia are different service, but same company. Trenitalia.

As Perche explained tickets purchased at the counters or newsagents need validations since they have no time limit from the moment you buy it.
Validation proves the exact moment it starts its life.

All high speed trains (either Trenitalia and Italotreno) don't need validation as they are segment-specific.
So they just work for the booked train on a given reserved seat.
Pretty much like flights.

What inspector needs is just the PNR or reservation #, not even the actual ticket, though is always a good idea to have it as backup.

Not that it really matters much, but there are indeed two independent divisions within Trenitalia, with different rules for tickets, etc., different personnel, and so on. The normal passenger never realises this until...

What was described as companies to me by the conductor who wanted 50 Euro + a new ticket (then waived both) because I got on an earlier IC from Pavia to Milano is summarized here (in Italian). At any rate, to avoid any kind of trouble punch anything that fits the machine (if working: 1 out of 3 is usually out of service).

I am not considering that alternative. Don't think I ever said that. I also, at the moment, am not concerned about logistics or heat or number of stops.

My question is solely about how scenic that route is as I am deliberating between flying from Nice to Rome (cheap and easy) vs. taking a train (local, long, but possibly very scenic).

I understand that there are two countries involved and tickets may have to be purchased locally, etc. It's not part of my question, but might become a topic once I decide that's the rout to go. For now, not part of my question.


Sounds like you actually have done this trip yourself? You found the scenery worth the trade off?


I undertand it is possible, I am asking about how scenic it is

Right now, I am getting conflicting information. UPINTHEAIR seems to find the route very scenic, while PERCHE does not. Can I just get confirmation that you guys have actually taking that route personally? I can look at a map myself but it doesn't actuall show me the views....

The route should be scenic along the Ligurian coast at least in theory (I unfortunately had to sit in a bus) when you're not in a tunnel. It's just the logistics of train travel that can be a PITA.

If you are willing to overnight in Ventimigilia (there's what appears to be a nice agriturismo up the hill from the station among other accommodation choice), there is an IC train (IC505) that leaves around 0630 and arrives into Rome 8 hrs later with limited stops with a rather-affordable FC fare.

Alternatively, there is an EC train (Thello) that leaves at 0900 and gives you an hour in Genova/Genoa before connecting onto an express to Rome that get you in at 1630.

There is a direct train from Nice to Genoa now:

https://www.thello.com/Marseille-Mil...res/index.html

As of April, there will be 3/day. These are operated by Thello (as per link) rather than the state railways.

My two cents:

the train from Nice to Ventimigilia to Genoa to the south (I was only as far south as Pisa near the coast) - it is not scenic enough to waste the whole day getting there. You will have to change trains along the way and could likely miss one and then have to wait an hour or so for the next. Fly to Rome, travel by train for visits to nearby towns.

Well said. Local trains in Italy are not designed for long distance trips or scenery. You may get a scenic spot here and there, and that's it. No, I haven't done the specific Nice to Rome trip on a local train because with years of traveling around Italy on trains from local to high speed, it would never occur to me to subject myself to that. If the OP is interested in seeing Italian coastal scenery, as you said, wasting a day on a local train is a great way to squander one day of doing so.

To answer your question, yes I have done the journey. It's rather long and tiring, but in my opinion very scenic � especially from Ventimiglia all the way down to Leghorn. If you take the 7:55am from Nice (which gets in to Ventimiglia at 08:40) you can connect with the 8:52am to Genoa (where you'll have just over an hour between trains so would be able to venture out of the station); and you'll be in Rome at 4:32pm. City centre to city centre in nine and a half hours. If you like trains, and if you're not very familiar with northern Italy, it'll be an adventure; and in my opinion a worthwhile experience if you have the time. You'll see far more interesting things than the inside of airports and 'planes.

However, personally I'd fly (and get a window seat on the left) � but if I were a visitor to Italy I'd be up for an adventure on the train.