Italy Explained: Italian Trains

by Jessica Spiegel

For the vast majority of Italy travelers, the best way to get around Italy is by train, although it's not always a straightforward process to do so – and that's where this guide comes in. Italy may look like a small country when compared to the rest of the planet, but getting around can still be a challenge if you aren’t prepared to deal with the vagaries of the Italian rail system. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make your Italian train adventure a smooth experience - from questions you already have to questions you don't even know you should be asking - The difference between train tickets and reservations, and when you’ll need both How to decide whether to buy a Rail Pass or point-to-point tickets How to read an Italian train schedule How to buy train tickets and reservations, either before you leave home or once you’re in Italy How to deal with Italian train strikes And much more. By the time you finish this book, you'll be a confident traveler on the Italian rail system - leaving you more time to enjoy actually being in Italy, instead of spending precious vacation time figuring it out as you go. Want to keep learning more? Join my Italy Explained newsletter to get Italy travel tips and find out about new books! -- italyexplained.com From personal experience, I know that there are few things more satisfying as a traveler than the sense of accomplishment you get after planning a trip on your own, executing that plan, and – perhaps most important – being able to make decisions on the fly. As a writer, I love helping other travelers achieve that high. I want you to own your trip. I want you to be empowered enough to plan your own trip without turning the reins over to someone else. I want you to go into your travels with a swagger that says you’re confident enough to choose a restaurant, use the automated train ticket machine, and navigate the subway system. I want you to feel that confidence not because you know everything – no one does – but because you know enough to make an educated decision and to change plans if your first choice doesn't work out. My name is Jessica. I'm an Italophile, and now I'm your travel cheerleader. AUGUST 2015: The book was updated this month with some new information about ticket validation machines!

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 29, 2015

About the author

Jessica is a freelance travel writer, social media manager, and gelato enthusiast based in Portland, Oregon and infatuated with Italy.

She has written about travel in Italy since 2007, and in 2014 launched her own site (www.ItalyExplained.com) helping to educate travelers on the vagaries of Italian culture so they can focus more on enjoying their trips and less on wondering whether they're missing something or "doing it wrong." From personal experience, she knows that there are few things more satisfying as a traveler than the sense of accomplishment you get after planning a trip on your own, executing that plan, and - perhaps most important - being able to make decisions on the fly.

She loves helping other travelers achieve that high.

Aside from her own site, Jessica's writing has appeared on The Huffington Post, MapQuest, Amateur Traveler, and Dream of Italy, among other travel websites. In her spare time, she's a singer in a band and an ardent footy fan. More information about Jessica is available at www.JessicaTravels.com.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you'll be traveling to Italy and there's even a remote possibility you'll be riding the rails, do yourself a favor and load this book onto your device of choice. Now.

In her clearly written, concise guide, Spiegel covers everything you'll need to know about maneuvering through the Italian train system from buying tickets to getting around the station. Her walk through how to use Trenitalia's frustrating website is worth the price of the book alone, especially if you have limited Italian skills.

Oh, and regarding that, there's also a glossary at the end with a pronunciation guide so you can always whip out your copy of Italy Explained: Italian Trains to help you communicate with ticket vendors, conductors, and the like if need be.

Highly, highly recommended.

P.S. Awesome cover, too!

** NOTE: I received a review copy of this book from the author; the opinions expressed are my own.

[Carole Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I wanted!
No fuss no mess, just the facts
Well, with some pithy comments.
I think I now know how to get the fastest train from Rome to Florence.
I'm reading her book on Gelato next!