Trenitalia from Rome to Palermo for 19.90 Euros

[GAC]

Perusing Trenitalia's recently issued winter timetable, we continue to find second class seats on Trenitalia between Roma Termini and Palermo Centrale for as little as 19.90 Euros, Super Economy second class with a long advance purchase. Similar fares can be found to Taormina, Catania and Siracusa, as well as the intermediate stops along Sicily's northern coastline to Palermo (e.g. Milazzo and Cefalu'). Trenitalia has two daily direct Intercity trains between Rome and Sicily, the first departing Roma Termini at 7:26 and the second four hours later. These trains split at Messina after crossing the Straits of Messina on a special train ferry (see below). I prefer the earlier train which crosses the Straits in full sunlight.

While the one-way "base" fare from Rome to Palermo is 80.50 Euros in second class, with some luck one can find a discounted ticket with up to a 75% discount by booking the "Super Economy" fare WELL in advance (non-refundable and non-changeable). That brings the fare down to as little as 19.90 Euros, which is a real steal! If you are concerned about the need to modify your travel date or cancel the trip, you can opt for the "TiRimborso" refund feature (must be purchased simultaneous with the ticket) which allows you to CANCEL (not modify) your reservation up to 23:59 (Italy time) on the SECOND day prior to your scheduled travel date. You will get a 90% refund of what you paid for your ticket. The "TiRimborso" option is available for the "Super Economy', "Economy" and a few other discounted tickets, at an additional cost of either 1 or 2 Euros per ticket. It is WELL WORTH it to purchase this partial refund option, especially if you book your ticket many weeks or months in advance. The "TiRimborso" option is optional, not mandatory. (You can always modify your travel date or time, more than once prior to train departure, if you purchase a "base" fare ticket (the most expensive fare). You can also cancel a "base" fare ticket, prior to train departure, and get an 80% refund of what you paid for the ticket).

Description of the Trenitalia Intercity Trains

These direct Intercity trains have three second class and one first class railcars to EACH of Palermo and Siracusa. The train splits in two at Messina (each with its own locomotive), half going west to Palermo, the other half going south to Taormina, Catania and Siracusa (there are other stops en-route). The electronic seat reservation system assigns you a seat in one of the railcars going to your final destination. All seats are reserved. The second class railcars each have around 74 seats, four-across. The first class railcars have only around 52 seats, three-across. Second class seats are 51 cms. wide and have 95 cms. of legroom. First class seats are 63 cms. wide and have 103 cms. of legroom (as described on the Trenitalia website). The seat bottoms pivot out to afford a small recline. A portion of one of the second class railcars has a lounge area with vending machines and tables. One vending machine sells hot espresso, cappuccino, tea and chocolate, made from powdered product. A second sells bottled cold water, soda and juices. A third sells packaged sweet and salty snacks. These machines replace the former wheeled snack cart with uniformed sales person. (You are well advised to bring your own food and beverages with you, although the machines are useful in an emergency). There are electrical outlets at each seat, handy to charge electrical devices (sometimes the outlets are broken or defective), plus reading lights and folding tables. Windows have pull-down shades. Luggage can be placed overhead, under the seat, wedged in-between the seat rows, or put in the oversized luggage racks at one end of each railcar on in special racks inside the car itself. The train is air conditioned and heated, but the air conditioning is turned off during the crossing of the Straits of Messina (when it can get very stuffy during the summer).

Crossing the Straits of Messina

The train (minus the locomotive) crosses the Straits of Messina on a train ferry. Passengers are free to leave their railcar (remember its location!) and climb the steep stairs to the open-air promenade deck, where one can enjoy the crossing, which is exceptionally scenic on a clear day. Don't forget to bring a jacket because it's quite windy! Take lots of photos! The center of the promenade deck is enclosed (quite handy on a windy or rainy day), with many seats, plus restrooms, a few vending machines and a coffee/snack bar.

Trenitalia Night train option

Remember too that Trenitalia has night trains (ICN) from Palermo and Siracusa to Milan and Rome (and cities in-between), with simple couchettes (4 bunks in each compartment) and slightly costlier sleeping accommodations (one, two or three beds with private wash basin) and additionally a limited number of more expensive "Excelsior" cabins with a private toilet, washbasin and marine shower. All night trains have toilets/washbasins at one end of each railcar. A complimentary very simple continental breakfast is included in the fare (coffee, juice and a sweet or salty packaged snack). The night trains are a bit more expensive than the day trains, but you do save the cost of one hotel night, and are not a bad way to travel IF you are not a light sleeper. However, I consider the Palermo/Naples car ferry with private sleeping cabins to be more comfortable.

Don't forget the Italo Treno Alternative

Very recently, Italo Treno has added Sicily to its network of routes. It is a combination train/bus service: Italo trains travel to Villa San Giovanni (a few kilometers north of Reggio di Calabria), where a special "Itabus" (double decker or regular bus) waits for arriving Italo passengers to continue to Sicily by bus on the ferry to Messina. From there, there are two Itabuses, one goes to Milazzo and Palermo, while the other to Catania, Enna, Caltanissetta and Agrigento. It's worthwhile checking fares and schedules for this new service. Italo also has an optional "refund option" which costs 2 Euros per ticket and gives you an 80% refund PROVIDED you exercise the option no later than 72 hours prior to scheduled train or bus departure. (It's wise to purchase this refund option unless you have the "Flex" fare). Bear in mind that the Italo trains are very much like the Trenitalia Freccia trains, a bit nicer and "spiffier" than the older Trenitalia Intercity train. However, because both trains travel along the old rail line south of Salerno, the ride quality is not quite as sedate as from Salerno north on the Freccia or Italo train. The Italo train, however, will get you to Villa San Giovanni faster than the Trenitalia Intercity train, but the lowest discounted fare may not as low as that on Trenitalia. Both Italo Treno and the Itabus double-decker bus have vending machines on board. Again, remember to bring your own food and beverage to avoid using these machines!

BOTH THE TRENITALIA INTERCITY TRAINS AND THE ITALO TRAINS FROM ROME TO SICILY STOP AT NAPOLI CENTRALE AND SALERNO (and a few other places further south) to pick up and discharge passengers. Fares from Napoli and Salerno to Sicily can sometimes be a little lower than from Rome.

In my opinion, it is worthwhile to take the train between mainland Italy and Sicily at least once in your lifetime, if you cross the Straits of Messina in full daylight OR if you simply want to travel on the cheap. There is no airfare which can get you to Palermo (or Catania) from mainland Italy for only 19.90 Euros, considering the additional cost of checked luggage and airport connections, which are substantial costs.

The Trenitalia and Italo Treno websites have a very detailed description of the accommodation features of their respective trains and buses.

Livelli di servizio - Trenitalia

www.trenitalia.com

Ristorazione - Trenitalia

www.trenitalia.com

Destinations and Timetables of Italo in connection with Itabus | Italo train

Discover new destinations reachable with Italo in connection with Itabus buses. Book your trips conveniently and affordably, and enjoy a comfortable travel experience with the quality service of Italo.

www.italotreno.it

Trains to Sicily: timetables and tickets | ItaloTreno

Discover all the ItaloTreno offers on trains for the cities of Sicily and reach the main destinations of the region in a practical and fast way.

www.italotreno.it

 

[berliej]

Reply Great post with lots of interesting information. Thanks!!!

 

[GAC]

MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRENITALIA AND ITALO TRENO FROM ROME/NAPLES/SALERNO TO SICILY:

It can be helpful to point out some of the differences and strengths/weaknesses of the two train operators.

Strengths of Trenitalia

1. Absolutely lowest promotional fares from Rome to Sicily: as low as 19.90 Euros to Palermo (similar low fares to Cefalu, Taormina, Catania, and Siracusa). The primary reason for having the lowest fares is that Trenitalia uses the Intercity train on this route rather than the more modern Freccia trains (comparable to Italo trains). The "TiRimborso" refund option gives you the possibility of cancelling your trip and getting a 90% refund if you cancel no later than 23:59 (Italy time) TWO DAYS prior to your travel date. Italo's refund option is less generous (80% refund) and the cancellation deadline is sooner (72 hours in advance of travel).

2. Makes several stops along Sicily's northern and eastern coasts not offered by Italo, such as Cefalu' and S. Stefano di Camastra. This is important especially for locals, who rely on Trenitalia to get them to and from their homes in Sicily from the Italian mainland. Italo makes far fewer stops in Sicily.

3. Trenitalia's direct Intercity train goes all the way to Siracusa. Italo stops at Catania and then travels west to Agrigento. If your destination is Siracusa, Trenitalia has the edge. With Italo, you need to connect in Catania to a bus or to a Trenitalia regionale train to Siracusa. Take Trenitalia if your final destination is Siracusa.

4. You keep your luggage on the train all the way to your final destination. With Italo, you must transfer your luggage from the train to the bus at Villa San Giovanni.

5. Trenitalia stops at Taormina, ITALO DOES NOT.

6. Both operators have vending machines on their trains. No difference here. YOU NEED TO BRING YOUR OWN FOOD AND BEVERAGES with either train operator, to avoid using the very limited selection vending machines.

7. Most seat rows on Trenitalia face each other in pairs of four, with a center table. Most seat rows on Italo face in the same direction, as on a bus, with fold-down tables, as on a plane. (DIfferent people may have different preferences as to these seating arrangements). Travel parties of three or four persons may prefer the Trenitalia seating arrangement, because passengers face each other and can have conversations.

Strengths of Italo

1. Italo trains (like the Trenitalia Freccia trains) are more modern and sightly smoother/quieter than the older Trenitalia Intercity train. However, this advantage is partially neutralized from Salerno to Villa San Giovanni because both trains use the same old rail line (not the high-speed rail line north of Salerno).

2. Total travel time on Italo is about one hour less, because the travel time from Rome to Villa San Giovanni is roughly one hour less than on Trenitalia's Intercity train. Just between Roma Termini and Napoli Centrale, Italo is 15 minutes faster (because it follows the high-speed rail line).

3. Intermediate stops between Rome and Villa San Giovanni: 9 on Trenitalia; 9 on Italo. Intermediate stops between Messina and Palermo: 8 on Trenitalia; 1 on Italo.

4. Italo has a direct bus from Messina to Agrigento connecting to/from the train ferry to and from the Italian mainland. You can travel direct to Agrigento to/from Rome, Naples and Salerno. With Trenitalia, you would need to connect trains at Palermo Centrale or catch a bus from Catania to Agrigento. Italo is the better choice if you're going straight to Agrigento. There are only three intermediate stops between Messina and Agrigento on the Itabus: Catania, Enna and Caltanissetta.

5. You get a better view of the Sicilian countryside and coastlines if you sit at the very front of the Itabus (especially if it's a double-decker and sit in the FIRST row on the upper deck). On Trenitalia, you cannot see anything outside directly in front of you. This is the primary reason why I would choose Italo over Trenitalia when going to Sicily (not considering the difference in fare).

6. Most seat rows on Trenitalia face each other in pairs of four, with a center table. Most seat rows on Italo face in the same direction, as on a bus, with fold-down tables, as on a plane. LEG ROOM IS BETTER ON SEAT ROWS FACING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. In the "pair of four" arrangement (with center table), it's easy to hit the legs of the passenger directly across from you. Solo travelers or those traveling in pairs may prefer Italo's seating arrangement.

7. In Italo "Prima" class (similar to business class on the Trenitalia Freccia trains), there is a "welcome service" with free beverages, coffee and snacks. The Trenitalia Intercity train has nothing similar. However, Italo "Prima" class costs more than the regular "Smart" (economy) class. Moreover, once on the Itabus, there is no distinction in service. I don't consider this a substantive advantage.

 

[GAC]

Do you think that 19.90 Euros is a low fare from the Italian mainland to Sicily?

Wait, we can do even better ...

Naples to Palermo for as little as 15.90 Euros, second class on the Trenitalia direct Intercity train (the full fare is 63.50)

Naples to Messina for as little as 12.90 Euros, second class on the Trenitalia direct Intercity train (the full fare is 50 Euros)

These rock-bottom fares are about 75% lower than the full fares.

Fares out of Rome are usually just a few Euros more.

NOTE: These rock-bottom "Super Economy" fares are quite difficult to come upon, especially during the summer. They usually require many weeks of advance booking and travel mid-week. Still, if you have maximum travel flexibility (e.g. are retired) and perform an extensive website search, you can lock them in. For another 2 Euros per ticket, you can purchase the optional "tiRimborso" refund option (with limitations explained above), thereby preserving some travel flexibility.

 

[Ian Sutton]

Oddly though, I reckon these advance fares absolutely suit us tourists. Given our dates are set months in advance, we can sit and wait, then confidently pounce when the good prices appear for our transfers (or day trips by train). There's no "it's a long way off and we don't know what we'll be doing constraint". We're also (to a degree) able to pick and choose the exact train to use.

On more than one occasion there's been something nearing emotional guilt, at how little we've paid for such a transfer.