When it comes to traveling in Italy, there really is no better way to see the country than by train.
It's sounds rather cliche but for many of us who previously lived in place where cars were the only option to get around, there is just something so utterly freeing about arriving in the excited chaos of a train station before your next adventure. I embrace it all; the noise, the sound of the train bell signaling its next departure. And, it would seem that I am not alone. According to the Railway Statistics 2015 Report by the International Union of Railways, over 622 million passengers use Italian trains per year and this number is only increasing.
The advantages of train travel are endless, you can avoid the costs of renting a car, the possibility of getting fined by venturing into the ZTL historical center zones of Italian cities or expensive parking. With just the cost of your ticket, a plethora of diverse Italian getaways are at your disposal (just don’t forget to validate your ticket first). Before you go, a stop at the coffee bar is a must; so slug back an espresso with gusto before purchasing the essentials and watching the countryside fly by as you rest comfortably along your journey.
For those of you who might be a newbie to train travel, not to worry, here are our top tips for how to pack if you plan on traveling by train in Italy.
1. Don’t over pack: the first rookie mistake is jamming your entire life into several bags that will make your train journey less than a pleasurable experience. Do a little research on weather conditions before you get there and plan on wearing things a few times to free up valuable space. Assuming you aren’t Elon Musk or Bill Gates, you probably won’t have someone handling your bags for you so pack only what you can comfortably carry. It's worth keeping in mind that baggage compartments can be of limited space so if your coach is crowded you could struggle finding a spot to put your luggage if it is oversized or bulky. A general rule of thumb is to remember less is more and that you can pick up anything you might be missing in any major Italian city.
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2. The Right Kind of Luggage. I get it, you might be tempted to purchase vintage luggage that will ensure a high number of Instagram likes, however those same likes do not translate into durable wheels should your bag lack a few. I would recommend easy, rollaway luggage and a comfortable backpack that can fit your purse inside. Remember that many stations in Italy will require you to lug that luggage up and down stairs, escalators and elevators aren’t always a guarantee so be reasonable about what you can reasonably carry.
3. Buy a few small luggage locks. While Italy isn’t especially dangerous, pick-pockets do linger where travelers go, that means train stations especially. Keep a vigilant eye on your stuff when waiting for your train and make sure all of your identification, cards, and cash is close is within eye-sight. Never keep anything you value in an outside pocket in your luggage. You might not always be next to your luggage in a train, especially on a longer ride, and it’s nothing to get especially anxious about. The trick is to buy a few luggage locks to attach before you set your bag on the rack and always carry your essentials with you.
4. Pack clothes you can comfortably layer. As mentioned in point one, over-packing is a serious annoyance when traveling frequently by train. I’ve found that the best way to avoid is to bring several separates, blouses, jackets and pants that I can mix, match and layer, and consider using packing cubes. You don’t need more than one jacket or coat, scarf (this can doubel as a pillow) or hat, limit your shoes to just one or two pairs (preferably at least one waterproof pair).
5. Weather can change at a moment’s notice. Plenty of people might be surprised that Italy has quite the variety of weather conditions. In Florence alone the temperature can vary 10 degrees in any given month and it’s best to be prepared for anything. Bring one good umbrella per person that you can easily fit in a purse.
6. Tissues, antibacterial gel, a small towel and wipes. I won’t say anything about the condition of train bathrooms as they largely vary but depending on if you are in a fast train vs. regional train, you might find slim pickings when it comes to toiletries on trains, or rather any bathroom in Italy. Pack several packs of tissues, some wipes for your hands if they get dirty, antibacterial gel and a small towel if you’d like to wash your face or for general cleanup. Don't forget to take with you sustainable and sanitary LastSwab, which is a great alternative to q tips
7. Don’t count on WiFi ever working, so pack accordingly. I love this country but I hate public WiFi. This goes for train stations and trains alike. It doesn’t matter what class of train you take, I’d be very impressed should your WIFI actually decide to "come alive" and function during the entire trip. You can always carry a portable hotspot should you really need to connect or stake out places in the train stations where you can work in peace. Bring books, headphones, download audio podcasts, newspapers, a pack of cards and plan on being offline for most of your journey. To be honest, it actually can be quite liberating.
8. The general rule on how to dress: business casual. If you want to fit in with Italians, then you might want to leave those yoga pants, sweats and pajamas for your hotel room. Instead dress like you would for work, or a nice lunch date, but of course err on the side of stylish casual. Slim-fit pants, leggings and a blouse and jacket, pants and a button-up shirt will all be acceptable Italians tend to be sophisticated in how they dress for daily life and typically stick to neutral colors, and the same goes for train travel or around the city. Of course, you want to be practical (especially with your shoes, leave the heels at home, flats will do nicely). La Bella Figura is a very real concept here but keep in mind it doesn’t just have to do with how you look but also how you act in public (this means speaking with a lower voice in a group, don’t have a loud phone/skype conversation when people are trying to sleep).
9. What NOT to pack. I would avoid (and of course, this is a personal opinion so bear with me here) wearing miniskirts, see-thru shirts, shorts and small dresses, guys instead perhaps should leave the sleeveless workout shirts at home. Best to avoid any sort of controversial apparel, political t-shirts or hats, or swear words emblazoned on your sweater. Both sexes should probably pack their flip-flops and sandals and go for a shoe that covers your feet for a few reasons: if someone steps on your foot it will hurt less, and there is plenty of grime on Italian streets, stations and probably that train bathroom, so for sanitary reasons alone you’ll want closed-toed shoes. It goes without saying that you probably don’t want to wear/pack your fanciest jewelry on the train because of pick-pockets.
For your next train-travel adventure, we suggest booking ahead at Italiarail to make sure you will enjoy a comfortable journey. Buon viaggio!
