Time to leave:    Rome to Florence by train: If you are using the rail system, it is not as daunting as you might think.  The Italian trains run on time and are clean .  It is not necessary to travel first class to get a nice seat.  Do not, however, buy the cheapest ticket; you will be standing for 4 hours as you journey from Rome to Florence.  In Rome go to the top floor of the Termini Railway station and go to the ticket booth.  If you are buying a one way ticket there are only a few words you have to speak.  Say, "Firenze, secundo classe, andate."  You have just asked for a ticket to "Florence, second class, one way."  An educated guess on the price of the ticket:  less than $30.  If you will plan on returning to Rome from Florence, ask for "Ritorno" instead of "andate" and you will have a round trip ticket. If you wish to save money and travel second class, reserve your seat (prenotazione) and you can save; without reservations, you may end up standing.  Important:  ask which platform the train leaves from.  Just say "dove?" (pronounced  like the past tense of dive--"dove  eh" and the seller will give you an answer.  If you do not understand, give him a piece of paper and he will write the number down.  Now, you have your ticket.  Go toward the platform.  Just as you approach your platform, there will be a bright  yellow box--VERY important.  You must put your ticket into the machine (just as you have done on the metro) and have it stamped. (below left: box on wall)  Now you have validated your ride.  If you do not see the machine, just watch for "knowledgeable" people or people traveling with children and see where they go.  Do what they do and you will end up getting the stamp you need.     

http://www.fs-on-line.com/
   This is the web address of the FS lines of Italy and you can type in point of origin and destination and see where you can go.

Above right:  Here is a train ticket:  "Posto a sedere" means a reserved seat; look at the two numbers (71 and 72) and you will know that you have reserved seats. Between cities that have a lot of people, I do get reserved 2nd class seats!! Just left of the "reserved seats number" you will see the number 313 which is the number of the car on the train that you will find those seats in.  You will find a corresponding number on either the train car itself OR on the window of the car.  IMPORTANT:  On every platform you will find a "Partenza" or parting schedule.  There are always two on every platform--on one side is arrivi (arriving) and on the other side is the "Partenza" schedule.  See above:  (sorry that I could not make this clearer)  The left hand column gives you the time of departure, the second column gives you the classes (lst or 2nd or both) and the third MOST IMPORTANT is a listing of the different cities on the route.  The next column is the final destination of the train.  For instance: Going from Florence to Pisa --You may take a train that has its last stop in Livorno .  However on the third column you will see that the train passes through Empoli (a time follows) and then to  Pisa (a time follows) and finally to Livorno.  So, if you really wanted to go to Pisa, you would take the train to Livorno and get off in Pisa.  Just because the big letters in the 4th column say Livorno, that does not mean that you cannot get a ticket to Pisa on that train.  The last column in the picture is the Binario (train track--think Bi=2 and there are 2 tracks).  Here is the fun part.  If you are switching trains you will have to get off and check the Partenza schedule and see which track the train is SUPPOSED TO LEAVE FROM.  You now have 2 choices--1. See if there is a worker you can ask OR go to the track specified.  Once there check to see if others are going to the city you are going to.  They do change train tracks on you.  If you have arrived at the platform and have checked to see if someone is going to your city, watch them.  If a train track switch occurs, the platform will empty----follow those people!!       ON THE TRAIN:  Many  trains have what is called a "tavala calda" (said the way you would in English) and there you can get some pretty good food, everything from sandwiches and lasagna to wine and cheese.  Go ahead if you are hungry and try a "moveable feast" that will tide you over for a little time until you get to Florence and find your hotel.    Since many Italians travel by train, the train system is well maintained.  The trains are on time andclean, especially the ones between major cities.  There are also restaurants on the trains, but they are very expensive and you need to avoid them; a simple meal could cost upwards of $25.  Go to the tavala calda or get a panini (small sandwich) before you leave.

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