Using the Trains in Italy

In an earlier post (entitled Stazione Montecatini Centro) there is a map from our hotel to the nearest train station, Montecatini Centro, which is a half mile away.

Several members of our group have asked about taking the train on our free days, so I've put together a chart showing how long it takes to get to the most requested destinations, and what it costs.

The ticket office (biglietteria) at Montecatini Centro is open Monday through Friday, from 6:20 AM through 1:00 PM.

You can also purchase tickets at the other station in town, Montecatini Terme Monsummano, which is about a mile from the hotel at Piazza Italia.  The ticket office at this station is open Monday through Saturday from 6:20 AM through 7:40 PM, and Sunday from 6:20 AM through 1:00 PM.

There is a very thorough write up, with pictures, about using the trains on the Slow Travel web site.

You can look at train schedules and fares on the Trenitalia site here.  Just a few words of warning, however.  The Trenitalia site usually does not accept U.S. based credit cards, if you are thinking of purchasing tickets ahead of time.  There really isn't any need to buy them in advance anyway, as trains rarely sell out, except around major holidays like Christmas.