Getting there by train

[Margaret]

Wonder if anyone has made the whole (or nearly whole e.g from Paris or anywhere else on mainland Europe) trip to Scalea by rail lately and what was it like - comfort, cost etc. Did it ages ago and it was a bit of a marathon. Also, don't know if anyone else has found this but have done the Rome/Naples - Scalea bit several times now and quite a few times if I've been changing in Naples have ended up with a huge delay - one time, three hours. If time's not a problem then that's OK as you can leave any luggage at the station and have a walk around but it you're meeting someone or catching a connection in Rome then a huge delay can be a problem.

[RioneGlen]

HiHi there,

We travelled from Rome to Scalea on 31st July (overnight). Never again!!! Had to change at Paola but due to delays we missed the connection and being a Sunday when we got there had to wait for 2 and half hrs for next train. Have travelled to Rimini by train but it was during the day and was far more comfortable.

Going to try Rome to Scalea (no changes) during the day and hopefully this will be better. Will let you know how it goes.

Cheers,

Shirley.

[billy]

Hi ,
Last year I used the train from Rome to Scalea 3 times and found the trains running dead on time. I caught the 1321hrs Inter City from Tiburtina station and arrived in Scalea at 1821hrs give or take a few minutes. The return journeys also ran on time.On my final trip last year I hired a car from Ciampino airport ----Car hire in Scalea is too expensive and I hate to be ripped off----.I found the car drive south to be OK. This year has been even better with the flights to Lamezia and a much shorter drive to Scalea.
Cheerio for now,
Billy.

[Margaret]

Thanks for the experiences. Think I posted it somewhere else on this site how a friend got tricked by a gipsy at Naples station when I wasn't looking. Each time I do the trip I seem to learn something e.g. being able to recharge mobile on the train - and it would be nice to know a lot of it beforehand sort of thing. There doesn't seem to be anybody out there who's done the long trip lately that I was wondering about - London or Paris or somewhere else in northern Europe to Scalea. ? anybody got any tips on that.

[Italy4me]

Have been rummaging around on the trenitalia website and came across this interesting service. Not available from the Uk yet but supposedly will be in the future....

Travel around Europe by train - baggage to your door by DHL

From 11 July, thanks to the new Easybag service, you can travel in Europe by train with one thing less to worry about and to carry: your baggage. In fact, DHL will pick it up at your home (or other address you can give) and deliver to your destination (home, hotel, etc.)

With this door to door service, Trenitalia offers customers using International Trains a service that helps make travelling more enjoyable at very competitive prices. The price charged by DHL for the service is very economical indeed: sending 25 kg of luggage costs just 40 euros.

In this first phase, the service is available from Italy to France, Austria, Germany and vice versa. Subsequently it will be extended to all countries of the European Union, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Customers can contact DHL at the dedicated number of +3906-79075481 at least 24 hours before departure (for some islands or remote areas, the times for booking and luggage pick-up can vary) to arrange pick-up of luggage.

The day before train departure DHL personnel will come to the pick-up place, check you have the booking on an international train, cash the amount payable, collect your baggage and issue a receipt with the shipping code.

Delivery will be made within 24 hours from taking luggage subject to different agreements taken with the customer. Customers will find their luggage at the destination address given. You can also book for the return journey.

Lesley & Brian

[claire tudge]

Originally Posted by billy

Hi ,
Last year I used the train from Rome to Scalea 3 times and found the trains running dead on time. I caught the 1321hrs Inter City from Tiburtina station and arrived in Scalea at 1821hrs give or take a few minutes. The return journeys also ran on time.On my final trip last year I hired a car from Ciampino airport ----Car hire in Scalea is too expensive and I hate to be ripped off----.I found the car drive south to be OK. This year has been even better with the flights to Lamezia and a much shorter drive to Scalea.
Cheerio for now,
Billy.