Ciao Reader,
I’ve been thinking about you ever since my stressful train journey last weekend!
🚊While train travel in Italy lets you soak up the scenery and local life, bumps can happen.
Last weekend, my husband and I were off to visit family in Genoa for the day. There are no direct trains between Lucca and Genoa, so we’d be switching trains once along the way.
The first connection was fine, but disaster struck on the next leg.
😔 We got stuck mid-journey due to an accident further up the tracks, leaving us on the train waiting patiently for two hours while the authorities did their due diligence. (No one got hurt)
We arrived in Genoa 2 hours late. I was thankful that we didn’t have another connection to make because we would have missed it.
😢 The return trip was no smoother.
We were traveling in the evening and tight connections between three trains meant any delay could mess things up.
The first train left on time at 6:45 pm but began slowing down for some unknown reason and ended up being 45 minutes late, causing us to miss our second train, which caused us to miss our third train – the last possible train home.
We waited for the next available train in our direction which was also 2 hours late.
Anxiety kicked in. We knew that when we arrived at the next stop there wouldn’t be any trains back to Lucca because of the late hour.
And taxis? No chance at that time of day!
Luckily, the conductor, knowing of the delays, helped out. He called ahead and arranged a taxi upon arrival, dropping us home at no extra cost!
😇 Phew! An unexpected Italian miracle.
We got home just before midnight. 4 hours after we were supposed to arrive.
Here are the train travel tips I wanted to share with you after my experience:
- Avoid tight connections: Factor in buffer time between trains. Italian trains ususally run on time but delays are a possibility, so give yourself some breathing room.
- Skip the last train of the night: Opt for an earlier train which will give you more options if something goes wrong.
- Approach the conductor for help: Find the conductor on the train and ask them for help getting to your final destination if the reason you missed your train was their fault.
Another tip:
- Be strike-savvy: Italy is notorious for strikes! Just yesterday the train workers were on strike across the entire country. Most trains were cancelled leaving many travelers stranded. Always check the official website before your trip to avoid getting caught off guard.
Remember, train travel isn't always glamorous, but it can be part of an authentic Italian experience!
With a little preparation (and a dash of patience), you can navigate the rails like a seasoned pro.
P.S. Have you had any interesting (or frustrating!) train travel experiences in Italy? Share your stories in the comments below!
🌻 Ci sentiamo presto (we'll talk soon!),