Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rail Travel in Italy
The
Italian State Railways
(
Ente Ferrovie Italiane dello Stato
, or
FS
) provides ex-
cellent and frequent train services linking all of Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia
via train ferries, with Austria, France, and Switzerland (
www.trenitalia.com
). All
main lines and many minor lines are electrified. Italy's principal express train ser-
vice, the
EurostarItalia
(not to be confused with the cross-Channel Eurostar trains
and formerly referred to as the ETR Pendolino and ETR 500 trains) is among the
best in Europe.
Keep in mind that Italian trains are not just for tourists; the Italians are heavily
dependent upon their rail system, and second-class railcars are often crowded. We
recommend traveling in first class when in Italy.
The Italian State Railways accepts the variety of
Eurail passes
(including the
Eurail France-Italy, Greece-Italy, and Italy-Spain combination passes, and the
Eurail Italy Pass). Eurail bonuses include:
• Free transport on Trenitalia-operated ferry crossings from Villa S. Giovanni to
Messina (Sicily).
• 30-50 percent discount on Blue Star Ferries and Superfast from Brindisi to Pat-
ras, Corfu, and Igoumenitsa. Rail pass must be valid in both Italy and Greece.
The Eurail Italy Pass provides for unlimited rail travel on the entire Italian State
Railways network for the specified number of days within a two-month period, in-
cluding InterCity, EuroCity, and Rapido trains, with no surcharge.
Supplement re-
quired for Eurostar Italia, and some other premium trains.
Children younger
than 12 years of age pay half adult fare; younger than 4 years of age, free.
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