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| Planning Your Trip > Transportation > Railways |
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Transportation | Distances | Domestic Air | Railways | Ferry Services
| The Italian railway network, managed by Trenitalia S.p.A., spans
over 16,000 km. Connections with France run along the Nice-Ventimiglia-Genoa coastline and through the Frejus tunnel
via Modane, Bardonecchia, and Turin. The lines from Switzerland run through the Sempione Pass tunnel and across
Ticino Canton from the Chiasso border crossing towards Milan. The Brennero and Tarvisio lines link Italy to Austria
and then to central and western Europe. There are also a few private railway companies. The rail network is adequately
developed and widespread, especially between major urban centers and tourist areas. |
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The railway is connected to the two main islands, Sardinia and Sicily, by means
of ferries departing from Civitavecchia (Rome) and Villa San Giovanni (Reggio Calabria). The fastest trains operate
on the networks between the major cities while the regional trains are fairly slow. It is also fairly cheap and
efficient.
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Train Classifications
Trains in Italy are classified as follows:
| ES Eurostar |
This high-speed train service covers many internal as well as intra-European routes
with modern air-conditioned cars. Some seats are provided with electrical supply (European type) and tables suitable
for laptops. ES Eurostar trains require payment of a supplementary fare. Reservations are necessary. |
| IC Intercity |
The main category of express trains used in domestic service. All the cars are air-conditioned.
Dining facilities are provided as indicated on the schedules. IC Intercity trains require payment of a supplementary
fare, which is waived for holders of Eurail or BTLC passes. Seats may be reserved if desired. |
| EC Eurocity |
Express trains used in international service, subject to IC Intercity supplementary
fare and rules. |
| CIS Cisalpino |
These type of trains is operated by a joint venture between Italian and Swiss rail
companies. The service is express as in IC Intercity trains and the routes connect the main cities of Central and
Northern Italy with the Swiss main cities. On the CIS Cisalpino trains is required the payment of a supplementary
fare and reservations are necessary as in ES Eurostar trains; dining cars are available. |
| EXPR Espresso |
These express trains usually carry both first and second class cars, although a few
are second class only. They are often on night service, providing both regular seats and sleeping cars. No supplementary
fare is charged and reservations are not necessary. Food and drink service is available on some trains as indicated
on schedules. |
| DIR Diretto |
Semi-express trains that make many stops, often with second class seating only. Many
of these consist of modern commuter cars, and are uncrowded during off-peak hours. |
IR Interregionale
and REG Regionale |
Local trains, not necessarily making all the stops on a route. First class is offered
on the IR Interregionale only. Like DIR Diretto trains, IR Interregionale and REG Regionale are usually uncrowded
during off-peak hours. Some of them offer air-conditioned cars, but no dining service is offered. |
On long-distance trains, there are restaurant or self-service cars. Sleeping cars and couchettes must be booked in advance.
Bicycles can be shipped on many
trains marked with a special symbol (one per passenger, up to capacity). It is also possible to transport cars along the main tourist lines. Rates
are calculated based on the distances traveled and vehicle size. "Treno+auto", a car hiring service,
is available at main rail stations. Rail schedules, displayed in the stations and also given in specific publications available for purchase at news-stands,
show the services each train offers.
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Seat reservations
are possible on every kind of train except REG Regionale and DIR Diretto. Reservations are mandatory on ES Eurostar
and CIS Cisalpino trains. Reservation minimum notice
is five minutes before departure on ES Eurostar and CIS Cisalpino, and three hours on IC Intercity trains. Although
simple seat reservations can be made in ticket offices, through automated machines located in the stations and
online, reservations for particular services, like sleeping cars and car transport, should be made through travel
agencies. |
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Tickets
First and second class rail tickets, which have different rates, can be purchased at station ticket windows, through
automated machines located in the stations, online (www.trenitalia.com) or in authorized travel
agencies. For ES Eurostar, IC Intercity, EC Eurocity, CIS Cisalpino and generally all trains requiring bookings,
a supplement is charged along with the ticket price. Tourist groups, persons over 60 or under 26 years of age,
and families are usually entitled to special reductions on rail fares, but the conditions are subject to change
frequently. Information is available by calling 147-888088.
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Travelers must validate their tickets with the special stamping machines (usually
yellow in colour) located along the station platforms. Stamped tickets must be used within six hours of validation.
It is extremely important to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines. |
For information, schedules and rates call CIT at 847 318 7101, automated 24 hrs/ 7 days, or Fax 888 2FAXCIT. To
purchase tickets only, call 800 CIT RAIL, or call Rail Europe at 800 4EURAIL in the U.S. or 800 361 RAIL in Canada. |
Refund for Rail Passes
Application for refund of unused tickets must be submitted at the office where the tickets were purchased within
one year of issuance. All unused tickets must be stamped "unused" by an official of the European Rail
Roads. All refunds are subject to a 15% cancellation charge plus administration fees. Tickets purchased in Europe
cannot be refunded in the U.S. Note: Rates are subject to change without
notice. |
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Disabled Travelers
The Italian railways net is well equipped to help people with disability. More
than 150 Italian railway stations have a reception service for disabled travelers. This service must be booked
at least 24 hours in advance. There are seats reserved for travelers with disabilities on each Italian train but
these seats are not accessible if you can't move from your wheelchair to the seat. There are fully accessible special
compartments in first class special wagons. These compartments have space for 2 wheelchairs and 2 ablebodied companions.
These compartments are equipped with an accessible toilet too. The assistance with portable lifts is provided by
the railways staff at no extra cost. |
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