The 'Frecce' trains operated by Trenitalia share the route, which is high speed between Firenze and Bologna, with Italo trains.
They have similar speeds, so the differences between the two services are to do with the on-board experiences, check out the 'Trains' guides below; and the fact that tickets for the Italo trains and Frecce trains can be purchased from different online booking agents - it's a route on which you can save by booking in advance.
Final Destination: Venezia or Trieste or Udine
The alternative train journey options:
(1) Italo trains operated by NTV, compete with Trenitalia's Frecce trains on this route.
They're less frequent, but can be cheaper, though tickets for those trains are not sold by Trenitalia.
(2) There is also daily Intercity train from Firenze to Padua, but it departs from Firenze Rifredi daily at 18:45; a connecting train (heading to Livorno) departs from Firenze S.M.Novella at 18:28.
Rail pass users can avoid the €10 rail pass reservation fee charged on the Frecce trains by taking this train instead.
1 x train per hour
*Save by booking in advance: Yes, for more details on how to obtain the cheapest prices for Frecce trains see the guide to Italian rail tickets.
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December.
The high speed (AV) train service between Firenze/Florence and Padova/Padua is provided by;
(1) these Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and
(2) alternative Italo trains
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed up to 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are typically made available around 3 to 4 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared with Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Italia Rail | from €19.90 | |
Trenitalia | from €19.90 | |
Trainline | from €19.90 | |
Omio | from €19.90 |
These trains travel at more than 280 km/h between Firenze and Bologna, but this part of the route is mainly in tunnels.
There is no high speed line between Bologna and Padua, so these trains spend most of this journey on a 'classic' line.
Final Destination: Venezia S.L. or Trieste or Udine
The first Italo train of the day isn't scheduled to depart from Firenze S.M.Novella until 12:21
5 x trains per day
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open:: around 3 months ahead of the travel date
The high speed (AV) train service between Firenze/Florence and Venezia/Venice is provided by;
(1) these Italo trains
(2) More frequent Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 6 months in advance, but these Italo train tickets are made available around 3 to 4 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day - so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Italo | from €15 approx | |
Omio | from €15 approx (in £s) | |
Trainline | from €15 approx |
These trains take the same route as the Frecce trains.
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