Is that Rail Pass worth it?
Many people purchase a rail pass, assuming it will save them money.
But friends, you know me; I don't believe in assumptions, especially not in travel.
The only way to truly know if they are a value is to do the work. Price a trip point to point, then compare that to the cost of a rail pass and what it may cost to use it. I haven't had the price tip in favor of a rail pass in some time, except in Japan. However, even in Japan, most folks who do the regular tourist route also waste money on a pass.
So here is an example of how to get an idea of if a rail pass might be worth it.
I do feel like I should point out that a rail pass can be a huge value. I was a huge proponent of them for years and even now, to this day, if there is a lot of travel on the ground, I’ll still look at them. I did have a client not that long ago actually have a circumstance where they saved a lot of money, but it’s getting unsual.
This was an email to a long time client and I decided to turn it into a blog. She’s been loyal for years and for as long as I’ve known her, has introduced new people to Italy nearly every year. She’s after my own heart, she’s thrifty, sure, but she adores sharing travel with people and so… I work a little harder in her case.
Hiya Jane,
The short answer is that a rail pass probably isn't worth it.
You mentioned getting to Puglia and that by rail, this trip is arduous (this will improve by 2027, and I suspect Puglia will get as popular as Tuscany/Amalfi). However, it is instructive because it's long and likely to be as expensive as you can get..
We can see that an Italy pass for a Senior, Youth, and Adult is $507.50, and a ticket with a reservation is $58, or $174 total. So that might let one think that possibly with enough long trips in Italy, perhaps the Italian Rail Pass might be worth it.. maybe? Or not.
Not here. High-Speed trains require reservations, even if you have a pass, so reservations on those same trains cost for those same trains and the same 3 people... $86.40. So that $507.50 is really closer to $600, and we haven't even started putting in other reservation costs. This is their cheapest pass too, only designed to give you 3 rail days.
Then the X Factor. Ryan Air can fly (with a bag and seat assignment) for $84 a person on one day (other days it's more), but how much is it worth to take out that long arduous rail journey, especially, because given your goals possibly Matera, Ostiuni, and getting back to Genoa, you'll likely have to go back the same direction.
And as for the night train... Well, shucks. It hasn't really been a thing all the way to the UK for some time, but I just found out that the old reliable Thello Night train stopped 3 years ago.... Huh.
Well, I was about to shoot that one down pretty hard too. The cheapest pass is $807 for 3 people, but of course, it doesn't include the couchette/cabins, which are extra so even on those, the passes haven't been helpful for some time.
And I learned something, while getting to London may not be available on its night trains, Trenitalia has started a service called Intercity Notte. The Trenitalia website appeared to give a lower price, but that is ONE VEXING WEBSITE. I couldn't get to the payment page. But another website had 3 adults at $357, which may not be the worst option by price with accommodations involved. I don't know how nice it is, and the overnight is a little short, but I looked at some other maps, and there may be better routes. I'd look at it.
Going by train, point to point, Genoa to Nice on the slow train, Nice to Paris, and then Paris to London really isn't that bad. I broke it (In March) into 3 trips, the first for 3 hours 15 minutes (Genoa-Nice) (Slow, faster to drive, but a pretty coastal route), Nice-Paris (5 hours 33 minutes-fast), and London Paris (2 hours 18 minutes). Ryan Air can turn that into 2 hours and 20 minutes and $240. And of course, it's really more like 6-7 hours with time at the airport, from the airport (especially Stansted), but I priced with a seat and bag.
In short, it's extremely difficult to see any situation where a rail pass would be useful. Even in cases where the overall price was close, the reservation fees killed it. From a time perspective, we were able to find a cheap flight option that saved a lot of time.
Remember a few things.
Trains usually can only be booked 30-90 days out.
For the best pricing on high-speed trains, book them as soon as they are available (They sell like aircraft).
Don't forget to factor getting to/from airports (the specific airports) in both time and cost.
And if you do take a train through Paris, you have to usually change stations in Paris with either a long walk or a short metro ride (in this case Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord.)
I hope it's helpful!
