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Italian Transport Network – Endless Ways to Visit and Explore

December 5, 2014

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Italian Transport Network – Endless Ways to Visit and Explore

I love traveling around Italy with a backpack. It’s exciting, it’s real, it’s pretty easy, fun, and always some place to go just a bus or train ride away.

Italy is not a huge country, and its major cities are all very well-connected creating the Italian Transport Network. Using: motorways, buses, railway networks and national flights. Driving in Italy can take a little getting used to since the roadways are different and so is the driving methods. But once you’ve got it, it’s like being on a grand prix!

Here’s a breakdown of the normal methods for getting around the Italian Transport Network:

Trains

The top mode of the Italian transport network would be the train. Especially in the north of the country, generally eliminates any need to travel by bus or air.

All of the major cities are connected by high-speed train which is fast, reliable and affordable. Italian trains have a reputation for almost always being on time. There are occasional 10 – 20 minute delays on the longer distance trains, and the night trains can frequently be delayed by up to an hour.

But generally speaking, regional and national train services do run more or less on time. You can check www.viaggiatreno.it for up to date information on train scheduling.

High Speed Train Network

There are two high-speed rail lines in Italy which connect all of the major cities in the country and are part of the Italian transport network.

One line runs from Milan to Salerno, and calls at Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples along the way. The other line connects Turin and Venice and also stops at Milan along the way, although part of this line is still under construction.

This high-speed railway is designed to withstand speeds of up to 190 miles per hour. At this speed it is possible to travel the 360 mile journey from Milan to Rome in just under 3 hours. This journey would typically cost you about $80.

InterRail Pass

If you are planning to visit a few different cities within Italy it may be worth your while buying an InterRail pass. This pass will give you unlimited train travel on either 3, 4, 6 or 8 days within a month.

It can work out much cheaper than the cost of all of the train tickets between cities added together. Be aware that in order to travel on night trains or on the high-speed trains you may have to reserve a seat which could come at an additional cost; this has caught me out in the past. However, these passes are of great value and certainly part of the Italian transport network.

The InterRail pass also gives you flexibility; you don’t have to book a specific day on which to travel so if you fall in love with Naples or Milan, you can stay a few extra days without losing out.

Buses

The bus will work out to be the cheapest way to travel between Italian cities. However, the services are not at all frequent and the journeys often take twice the time and are half as comfortable as traveling by train.

There are quite a few companies which offer bus travel between cities but there is no one website which will compare all of the times and prices for you, so it can be a fairly long process of comparing them all. If you are traveling on a budget, though, it will be worth the effort as you are guaranteed to save money.

The main bus companies are Sais, Interbus, Sita, Autostradale and Baltour, all of which have websites which clearly list their timetables, routes and prices.

Personally, I’ve always enjoyed this part of the Italian transport network, especially inner-city buses. They’re lively, fun, meeting interesting people, and see the cities up close.

Driving in Italy

Italy has one of the highest ratios of vehicles to people of any country in the world making it a must part of the Italian transport network. The motorways are called Autostrade in Italian. Driving from one city to another can be a relatively stress-free experience.

The motorways connect all of the major cities and tourist destinations in the country and you will be able to find a car hire company office extremely easily, wherever you are. However, driving within the cities is a nightmare! You have been warned!

In Rome, no matter what the time of day, a chorus of car horns can be heard constantly. There are often gridlocks in the town centers and tons of traffic elsewhere. But the experience driving outside of the cities and across the country are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Taxis

If you do need to travel by car, taking a taxi is probably the best bet for short distances and in integral part of the Italian transport network. You should still leave plenty of time if you have an appointment to get to, as traffic jams in Italy are a constant issue and seem to arise from nowhere. There are a few things which you should know before taking a taxi in Italy.

If you call a cab from a company it will cost you a bit more as the drivers start the meter from the minute they receive the call, not from when you get in. This is not the driver attempting to make a couple of extra euros from the tourists; it is just the way the system works. This is especially important if you’re staying in a hotel in a remote part of town and the hotel must call a taxi for you.

It is also common in cities across Italy for Taxi’s to only pick up at marked locations. First time I was in Milan, I flagged down at least 10 taxi’s and didn’t understand why none would stop for me. I was eventually led to an area down the road where people were waiting for a taxi.

However, I did notice a few times that some taxi drives will pull the stunt “I don’t have enough change” routine. Trust me, they always do, they just want a few more euro’s. Stick to your guns and pay the meter. If he can’t break your bills, you’re in the right.

Metro

7 of Italy’s major cities have their own metro systems making it one of the most convenient of the Italian transport networks.

These cities are Brescia, Catania, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Rome and Turin. Rome has the busiest metro network in Italy. It currently has 2 lines, but a third is under construction and there are plans to build a fourth as well. The Metro is the fastest and the easiest way to get around Rome if your hotel is not directly in the center.

The stations are easy to find and well-connected and there are information desks which are usually manned by English-speaking staff to help you should you have any questions.

All of the cities in Italy are well-connected to one another creating an exceptional Italian Transport Network. They are not too far apart so journeys by road and rail are perfectly feasible. I would really recommend using the trains over hiring a car simply due to the traffic. But driving the country is breathtaking.

Enjoy!

Japan Transportation – The Needed Basics

November 21, 2014

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Japan Transportation – The Needed Basics for Tourists

Exploring any country requires a travel guide, either in the form of a book, a person, or a blog to point out the places that are a must-see. And when traveling here, Japan transportation are the best ways for getting around the cities and country.

Another requirement is of a basic understanding of the language that the locals speak, so you can at least order food without stumbling and ending up with something completely un-edible.
But I admit, it sure is fun trying!

One more essential requisite for travelling to and exploring a country, especially one as diverse as Japan, is having knowledge of the available transport options at your destination.

Without this knowledge, you will be lost the minute you step off the plane.

If you are lucky enough to have a private car coming to pick you up from the airport, kudos, but if not, then you have come to the right place where I will guide you through the many Japan transportation options that are available to a tourist in Japan.

Japan Transportation – An Extensive System Mapping Throughout The Country

Japan is well-known and famous for its highly extensive options of transport, that are found everywhere in the country – even the small cities. Other than the vast and efficient train systems that run in the country, there are also various other transportation options which are just as attractive choices as the bullet train if you are a tourist.

Within metropolitan areas and between large cities, the public transportation system of the country is efficient and organized. The local population favors the system not only for the convenience it offers but also because of the qualities that are characteristic of the nation i.e. its punctuality and the awesome service.

Japan Transportation – Traveling by Train

The four major islands of Japan are connected by a vast and reliable network of trains. For visitors, nothing is more convenient than travelling around Japan by train. Following are the types of trains you should know about before embarking on the journey.

Local Train: stops at every station.
Rapid Train: skips some stations.
Express Train: stops at even fewer stations. Japan Railways charge a separate fee, in addition.
Limited Express Train: stops at major stations. The fee is between 500 and 4000 yen, in addition the base fare.
Super Express Train: is only operated by Japan Railways, and runs on separate tracks. The fee is between 800 to 8000 yen, in addition to the base fare.

Japan Transportation – By Boat

The nation is connected with ferry services scattered throughout the island. There are two benefits of using ferries for transport:

1) You can easily get from one place to another

2) You can discover new places

The schedule of this service varies in the price of the ticket – from travelling and arriving between adjacent islands in two hours, to making 1½ day trip for the same route.

Most ferries carry cars, bikes, and motorcycles too.

Japan Transportation – By Bus

In almost every Japanese city there is bus service; however, it is usually not a good option for foreign travelers. However, in many of the tourist towns, buses especially for tourists often run from the main railway station. Cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto even run tours in English, for its foreign visitors.

Travelling in Japan is not so difficult once you understand all the various options at your disposal. Travel safe!

My absolute favorite method of Japan transportation travel is by train.

It is very easy once you get the system down (be sure to check out my article on riding the bullet train in Japan). In major cities, the subway lines are owned and operated by multiple companies making switching difficult as each company only produces a map for their lines!

This means walking up to 4 maps possibly and writing down which stations to change on.

But, it’s part of the excitement and the adventure! Bus’s are great, too, but it is best to do your homework before you go. There isn’t much English posted around so best to try planning your route before hand. When I went skiing in Nagano several years ago, I had to take 2 trains and 2 bus’s. But a little planing beforehand, everything was super fun!

Enjoy!

Shinkansen – My Experience at Breakneck Speeds!

November 9, 2014

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Shinkansen – My Experience at Breakneck Speeds!

The experience of traveling by train is not new for me. However, traveling on Shinkansen was incomparable.

The super quiet and super speedy Shinkansen is example of high-tech modern traveling.

If you are visiting Japan, I would recommend buying a Japan Rail (JR) pass and get the experience that you would not be able to get anywhere else in the world.

JR pass is a great option for tourists to witness the wonderful sights of Japan along with getting the experience of using one of the best railway networks of the world. It is a luxury that many people dream of experiencing, and I was lucky enough to enjoy it. Of course, it was made possible by using the JR pass. The cost of a round trip on Shinkansen is close to the price of JR pass that gives us unlimited access to almost all railway networks across Japan.

When planning a visit to Japan, remember that you have to buy a JR pass before you head to Japan as trading JR passes within the country is prohibited while paying separately for each railway trip may be too costly for you. Anyone with a temporary visa can get these passes that offer heavy discounts for traveling across various cities and towns.

While we can get 7, 14 or, 21 day passes, I bought a 7 day pass to travel with comfort and speed across cities over the next few days. I could use the JR pass for most of the Shinkansen trains except for the Nozomi and Mizuho in the Sanyo, Tokaido, and Kyushu Shikansen lines.

I was too excited for the ride that I reached the station an hour before the departure time. I was bewildered by the unusual design of the train. On the outside, the train looked like a spaceship with a robot-duck beak on the front.

The inside of the train looked like an airplane. A friendly and professionally trained staff was there to help us. It was an immense pleasure seeing that the train was perfectly clean, spacious, smartly designed, and comfortable.

One of the best things about Shinkansen is that it leaves precisely on time.

As the journey starts, the incredible train would take you through cities, towns, industrial complexes and lush green countryside. As for us, the clacks and clanks of the train and tracks are usual but the Shinkansen is quiet to the level of surprise. Whether it is the lightning speed or the efficient network, they make no noise and at times you don’t even feel like you are in a moving train. I am such a huge fan of Shinkansen for its pace and efficiency.

To add to the incredible journey, the train had clean toilets, vending machines, and phones. Besides, a trolley cart is frequently wheeled from where you can buy food, drinks, snacks and alcohol.

These trains are so addictive that once you use them, you would not want to travel on any other train. I always preferred taking Shinkansen whenever it was possible throughout my stay in Japan.

I would say that Shinkansen ride is a must thing to do in Japan. But, get a JR pass before heading to Japan so that you may enjoy this ride at economical rates.