There are so many ways that people travel around. However, some methods can be costly, and others can feel like time is slowing down by the minute.
With cars, traffic can add time to your journey.
And taxis? They can be ridiculously expensive.
What about helicopters? Come on. Keep dreaming. I can barely afford a Hot Wheels toy car, let alone a helicopter.
Italy has a different and affordable way of getting to places in a timely fashion. Europe's train system is massive, and it is still growing and finding new routes to travel. Trains are an extremely popular mode of transportation in Italy. The tracks act as the veins of Italy, taking travelers from one region to another constantly.
To get you up to speed, here's some terminology you'll need to know on Italian travel.
The biggest train stations in Italy are:
Rome: Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina
Venice: Venezia Santa Lucia and Venezia Mestre
Milan: Milano Centrale
Florence: Firenze Santa Maria Novella
Bologna: Bologna Centrale
Naples: Napoli Centrale
Turin: Torino Porto Nuova
Verona: Verona Porto Nuova
In 1839, the first rail system in Italy was from Naples to Portici. When the Italian unification came, more lines connecting the north to the south opened up. They were independent railways and were brought together when Italy became a country. Investments from private companies provided the funds for building these train lines.
Workers starting in the 1860s "formed the nation's largest labor block" at the time. They built new rails and trains non-stop for the next century. Sadly, many trains retired in the 1990s after asbestos was found.
Today, Trenitalia is the most prominent train system in Italy, followed by Italo.
The outside platforms of Firenze Santa Maria Novella.
Spontaneous day trips are very common, Max said. If you want to take a last-minute train somewhere, look for either the in-person or self-service ticket counter to buy your tickets.
Both Trenitalia and Italo ticket counters are red, so look out for which ticket counter is which company.
For the self-service option, multiple languages are offered to accommodate locals and tourists. Select the destination, date and time of the train you want.
(TIP: If you miss your train, the ticket that you bought at the self-service counter can be used for other trains going the same route on the same day.)
Pay in cash or credit card. Beware, some machines don't accept cash.
TIP: If you see a silver slit with green lights toward the bottom of the machine, it accepts cash.
Finally, before you get on your train, validate your tickets. You don't need to validate them if you have electronic tickets or pre-ordered tickets. On the back of the ticket, there are arrows saying to insert the ticket into the black stripe. A stamp will appear on the back, saying the current time and train station you're at.
Buy printable tickets at the self-service ticket counter. Afterward, validate your train ticket using these green machines.
If you choose to pay for electronic tickets, try to use the official website for either companies. Be careful where you buy your tickets; some websites are made to "catfish" or trick tourists into buying train tickets (some websites can steal the credit card number you entered). Print the ticket or download them to your phone or computer for safekeeping.
Before you get on your train, it's important to know when, where and how to get to your train. Departures and arrivals screens help navigate passengers on their current trains. The train number, destination, time, delay, information (stops, cancellations, etc.) and the platform number show on the screens.
Every few minutes, the screens refresh to keep up with the current train schedule. If you are still not sure where to go, there are staff members near the platforms that can assist you.
Screens show the departures and arrivals to and from Firenze Santa Maria Novella.
Getting to the correct platform depends on the train you need. There are signs posted that say binari (platforms), and they show directions to the platform numbers. Numbers are hung on poles to show the platform number. Just be sure to not get on the wrong platform. It's frustrating when you need a train, but you end up on the wrong side. Trust me. It sucks.
Trenitalia's Le Frecce are the high-speed trains. With speeds up to 300 kilometers per hour, the trains can go from Milano Centrale to Roma Termini in just over three hours. A car ride is just under six hours, and plane tickets are 100 euros for a 1-hour ride.
Easily recognized by tourists because of the colors, the green, white and red Trenitalia trains are massive and long, transporting about 1,000 passengers on a Trenitalia Frecciarossa from Firenze S.M.N. to Napoli Centrale, said Max, American Institute of Foreign Study ambassador.
Regional trains and overnight trains are offered by both companies. Depending on your destination, prices can fluctuate throughout the year. In the summer months, train tickets can soar (it's the start of tourist season).
Taking the train is normal for most locals. Many natives take the train to work, go into the city or go home. Since streets and sidewalks are narrow in older cities, trains can sometimes be the easiest way to access some towns.
Train stations throughout Italy vary depending on when they were built or remodeled. Milano Centrale has a Roman Empire feeling, while Firenze Santa Maria Novella has a modern shopping center directly under the platforms. Roma Termini is currently under construction... and has been for the past few years.
Going through trains stations can be a bit scary if you haven't explored the tips and tricks. Knowing the train systems can make your trip much easier to plan and can make your day go smoother. If you want to see breathtaking mountains, hillside towns and other Italian delights, follow the tracks and see where the train will take you.