Accessible train transportation in Italy

[raindropsalways]

Trenitalia, the Italian railway now has a division called Sala Blu for the handicap. It is an excellent service. All you have to do is write to the appropriate section, refer to this listing for email addresses: (http://www.rfi.it/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=678e1096ddf1f210VgnVCM1000008916f90aRCRD)

Let them know when and where you want to travel and they will make the reservations. If regionale trains are available, they are considerably less expensive. The regionale trains can be booked after you arrive in Italy at any Sala Blu office. I think they require 48 hours notification. First class on the other trains is more pricey, but still reasonable. We already had our reservations from the Milan airport to Milano Central, Milano Central to Florence and Florence to Rome. We made the regional reservations in Milano Central for Rome to Civitavecchia and back to the Rome and the airport. Be sure to use Italian spelling for the respective cities when booking (Firenze = Florence; Roma = Rome).

 

 

With Sala Blu, you report to the Sala Blu office one-half hour early and they escort you to your train. If you require assistance, they used a lift for us. At a small station, like Civitavecchia, they did not have a Sala Blu office, however the worker came into the lobby looking for us because we had reservations. They even provide the reservations in their system for “coach” seating. On one train, the coach seating was a little cramped. Ruth parked in the designated area and I parked by the exit door.

 

 

There is also a listing of all the accessible stations if you look around on their website.

 

 

I would recommend that you take advantage of the train travel. It was pretty good and very reliable. An improvement over our last trip on some trains in Europe. We rode with anything and everything then.

 

 

Betty

[Going Coastal]

That is a great resource. Thank you so much for sharing.

 

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

[Putterdude]

Thank you for your post and that of the hotel recommendation. I am very interested in learning how you handled luggage from the hotel to the station in Rome and from the station in Civitavecchia to the port with presumably one person in a wheelchair. Can you hire porters or???

[raindropsalways]

I do not know about porters between train station and hotel. The train porters will assist with one piece of luggage on the train, however we did not require that. I travel lite (one piece carry-on). My son and I have made a tow (attempt to keep wheel base close to scooter) and attached the suitcase to the back, and then attach the POC to the back of the suitcase. I resemble a refugee from the dust bowl riding down the streets. Only once did I have to detach the POC to fit all on the lift for the train. In addition, there is an attached backpack on my scooter where I keep rain gear and in this case, converter for electric equipment. Also, a small cargo net under the seat to hold a cooler. Ruth has a luggage rack on the back of her scooter.

 

 

The hotel is fully accessible. Actually, both Ruth and I fit in the elevator at the same time. We went straight west from the train station to Via Principe Amedeo and then south to the hotel. The street was not great for a couple blocks, but very doable and I felt a very easy trip. When I booked the hotel, I did include a note under “special request” that the room must be wheelchair accessible. Best Western did offer a good deal on their early booking.

 

 

When we were originally making our plans, Sala Blu had asked if we required assistance getting to and from the train station. Based on that fact, I assume there is something available. They could probably explain the offer in detail if you ask. The detailed Sala Blu information on the website is mostly in Italian. I did use Google and/or Babel Fish to translate some information.

 

 

At Civitavecchia we led the group to the shuttle buses from the train station. NCL docks too far to comfortably scoot and their service called for their “accessible” vehicle. The homemade ramp at the other dock works a bit better than the way they sort of lifted us on and off the bus.

 

 

I had not considered hiring a “helper” but sure it would be possible. Seems like anyplace we have been, if we pull out a couple dollars, euros or local currency, some very appreciative assistance appears immediately.

 

 

Have a wonderful cruise,

Betty