Newcomers to Trento - Frequently asked questions
This page was created to help answer some of the most common questions that newcomers to Trento ask. Although some parts of this page will be highly India-specific, I hope people from other countries would find some useful info here as well. Hopefully, this page would answer most of your questions.
Verona airport is the closest and therefore the most convenient. However, no airline flies directly from India to Verona. There is always a transit if you wish to land in Verona. Examples are AirIndia/Lufthansa (transit in Frankfurt or Munich), British Airways (Transit in London), Austrian Airlines (Transit in Vienna), Swiss Airlines etc.
Now, there are flight to Venice as well (via Dubai, Istanbul etc). There are direct regional trains from Venice to Trento, that halts at San Bartolameo station.
If you wish to land directly in Italy without a transit, then your best option is to land in Milan (Jet airways has a direct flight from Delhi). But Milan is further away from Trento than Verona, so it might be a problem if you have a lot of luggage.
In short, landing in Verona would be the best option for most people, second option would be Venice, unless you get some really good offers for flights to Milan. Your favorite travel agent would be the best person to advise you on offers for airlines.
Note - you would also be spending a little extra for travelling from Milan to Trento.
Travel time:
Bus from Verona airport to Verona railway station - 20 minutes.
Train from Verona railway station to Trento railway station - 1 hour.
The above timings do not include transit times.
Note - you would also be spending a little extra for travelling from Milan to Trento.
You will have to take a train from Milan toVerona and then another train from Verona to Trento.
Travel time:
Bus from Milan airport to Milan railway station - 50 minutes.
Train from Milan railway station to Verona railway station - 1.5 hours.
Train from Verona railway station to Trento railway station - 1 hour.
The above timings do not include transit times.
1) Regional trains ("R or Rv") - These are the slowest and cheapest trains, stopping at almost all stations on the way. Tickets for regional trains are always open tickets valid for 2 months, and you need to punch them in yellow machines available at each platform before you get on to the train. Do not forget to get the ticket punched else you might have to pay a hefty fine. There are no seat reservations on regional trains.
2) Intercity trains ("IC") - These are faster trains and stop only at major stations. They are marginally more costlier than regional trains. Tickets for IC trains are also always open tickets valid for 2 months, and you need to punch them in yellow machines available at each platform before you get on to the train. Do not forget to get the ticket punched else you might have to pay a hefty fine. Seats can be reserved on IC trains if you wish, but it is not compulsory.
All stations have huge signboards which indicate the platform that each train is departing from. Some Italian words that you might find useful are: Biglietti - tickets, Binario - platform number, Partenze - Departures, Ora - Time, Ritardo - Delay/Late. Please make sure that you are looking at the Departures board (Partenza) and not the Arrivals (Arrivo) information.
In case your destination is not the final stop for this train then you need to look at the timing column to know which train is yours. For example, suppose you have a Regional ticket for a train from Verona to Trento which leaves Verona at 1800 hours. Most trains from Verona don't end in Trento, but go on to a place called Bolzano. So, the signboards will indicate the destination as Bolzano instead ofTrento. But in this case, the combination of departure time + train type (1800 + Regionale R) will help you locate the correct platform for the train you need to take. In case of any doubt, just ask any TrenItalia personnel or the ticket checker, you can identify these people by the green jackets that they wear.
In addition, as a secondary check, there should be a signboard on the platform as well indicating the train departing from that platform.
Milan to Verona:
Regional - 11.55 Euros
FB - 21.50 Euros
Verona to Trento:
Regional - 7.10 Euros
FB - 21 Euros
The TrenItalia website will give you exact information.
2) In case you have a ticket for a regional or IC train, and you miss your train, you can take the next Regional or IC train.
Ostello della Gioventu Giovane Europa / Youth Hostel
Via Torre Vanga, 29, Trento.
Phone: +39 0461 263484
There are signboards available from the railway station, just walk right when you exit the railway station, its not more than 300 metres away.
There is a range of options from dormitories to single rooms. Please book in advance.
The Welcome Office is extremely well managed and the people there will help you out with all admin issues such as Bank account, Fiscal Code, Stay permit appointment, Library card, City map etc. A student coordinator will also accompany you to the various officesto help avoid language problems.
1) Where is Trento?
Trento is a pretty little town located in North Italy. It is the capital of the province of Trentino.2) Which is the closest airport?
Trento does not have its own airport. Verona is the closest airport, followed by Venice and Milan. Here is a schematic map of the locations of these cities.
3) Which airport and airline would you recommend?
That depends on your convenience and budget.Verona airport is the closest and therefore the most convenient. However, no airline flies directly from India to Verona. There is always a transit if you wish to land in Verona. Examples are AirIndia/Lufthansa (transit in Frankfurt or Munich), British Airways (Transit in London), Austrian Airlines (Transit in Vienna), Swiss Airlines etc.
Now, there are flight to Venice as well (via Dubai, Istanbul etc). There are direct regional trains from Venice to Trento, that halts at San Bartolameo station.
If you wish to land directly in Italy without a transit, then your best option is to land in Milan (Jet airways has a direct flight from Delhi). But Milan is further away from Trento than Verona, so it might be a problem if you have a lot of luggage.
In short, landing in Verona would be the best option for most people, second option would be Venice, unless you get some really good offers for flights to Milan. Your favorite travel agent would be the best person to advise you on offers for airlines.
Note - you would also be spending a little extra for travelling from Milan to Trento.
4) How do I reach Trento from Verona airport? How much time does it take?
From Verona Catullo airport, you first need to take a bus to Verona railway station (station name is Verona Porta Nuova). Follow the signboards in the airport or else inquire at the help desk. The bus departs from just outside the arrivals gate. The ticket cost is 5 Euros and buses leave every 20 minutes from approximately 0600 to 2300 hours. From Verona railway station you can then take a train to Trento. There is usually a train every hour. In case you arrive at odd hours, you can take a taxi from the airport to Verona station.Travel time:
Bus from Verona airport to Verona railway station - 20 minutes.
Train from Verona railway station to Trento railway station - 1 hour.
The above timings do not include transit times.
Note - you would also be spending a little extra for travelling from Milan to Trento.
5) How do I reach Trento from Venice airport? How much time does it take?
Take an airport bus to Venezia Mestre (not Venezia S.L.).
You have two options from Mestre
1. Find Regional Trains to Trento. These trains also stop at San Bartolameo station, (student's residence). On some occasions you will have to change at 'Bassano Del Grappa' train station
2. 2nd option is to go via Verona. (see map)
Travel time:
Bus from Venezia airport to Venezia Mestre railway station - 20 minutes.
Regional Train from Venezia railway station to Verona railway station - 2 hours.
Regional Train from Verona railway station to Trento railway station - 1 hour.
Regional Train from Mestre to Basanno- 1 hours
Bus from Venezia airport to Venezia Mestre railway station - 20 minutes.
Regional Train from Venezia railway station to Verona railway station - 2 hours.
Regional Train from Verona railway station to Trento railway station - 1 hour.
Regional Train from Mestre to Basanno- 1 hours
Regional Train from Basanno to Trento - 2 hours
6) How do I reach Trento from Milan airport? How much time does it take?
From Milan Malpensa airport, you first need to take a bus to Milan Central (Milano Centrale) railway station. Follow the signboards in the airport or else enquire at the helpdesk. The bus departs from just outside the arrivals gate. The ticket cost is 10 Euros and buses leave every 20 minutes from approximately 0530 to 2230 hours. From Milan Central railway station you can then take a train to Trento.
You can also find Trains from Milan Malpensa airport to Milan Central (Milano Centrale) railway station.
You will have to take a train from Milan toVerona and then another train from Verona to Trento.
Travel time:
Bus from Milan airport to Milan railway station - 50 minutes.
Train from Milan railway station to Verona railway station - 1.5 hours.
Train from Verona railway station to Trento railway station - 1 hour.
The above timings do not include transit times.
7) Can you please give more information about the train system?
There are three major classes of trains in Italy:1) Regional trains ("R or Rv") - These are the slowest and cheapest trains, stopping at almost all stations on the way. Tickets for regional trains are always open tickets valid for 2 months, and you need to punch them in yellow machines available at each platform before you get on to the train. Do not forget to get the ticket punched else you might have to pay a hefty fine. There are no seat reservations on regional trains.
2) Intercity trains ("IC") - These are faster trains and stop only at major stations. They are marginally more costlier than regional trains. Tickets for IC trains are also always open tickets valid for 2 months, and you need to punch them in yellow machines available at each platform before you get on to the train. Do not forget to get the ticket punched else you might have to pay a hefty fine. Seats can be reserved on IC trains if you wish, but it is not compulsory.
3) EuroStar/EuroCity trains/Frecciabiance/Frecciargento(ES/EC/FB/FA) - These are the fastest and most comfortable trains. They are also the costliest. Tickets are valid only for specific dates and times, and therefore tickets do not need to be punched before getting on the train. Seat reservation is compulsory and details are included on the ticket itself.
8) Where can I get information about train timings?
Please visit the TrenItalia website. This excellent website will help you plan your train travel once you land in Italy. The website has information about timings, types of trains etc.9) Where do I purchase tickets?
All train stations have a counter where you can purchase tickets. The better option however is to use one of the many interactive ticket issuing machines located at multiple locations in the railway station. These machines have an easy to use English language touch-screen interface. Select the appropriate train, insert cash into the designated slot and your ticket will be printed. The following is a photo of such a machine, on the very right side of the machine you can also see the slot for getting the ticket punched (exactly below the "Convalida" arrow)
Interactive ticket vending machine.
Ticket punching machine.
10) How do I find my train?
All stations have huge signboards which indicate the platform that each train is departing from. Some Italian words that you might find useful are: Biglietti - tickets, Binario - platform number, Partenze - Departures, Ora - Time, Ritardo - Delay/Late. Please make sure that you are looking at the Departures board (Partenza) and not the Arrivals (Arrivo) information.
In case your destination is not the final stop for this train then you need to look at the timing column to know which train is yours. For example, suppose you have a Regional ticket for a train from Verona to Trento which leaves Verona at 1800 hours. Most trains from Verona don't end in Trento, but go on to a place called Bolzano. So, the signboards will indicate the destination as Bolzano instead ofTrento. But in this case, the combination of departure time + train type (1800 + Regionale R) will help you locate the correct platform for the train you need to take. In case of any doubt, just ask any TrenItalia personnel or the ticket checker, you can identify these people by the green jackets that they wear.
In addition, as a secondary check, there should be a signboard on the platform as well indicating the train departing from that platform.
11) How much do the tickets cost?
That depends on the type of train you choose. Typical fares are:Milan to Verona:
Regional - 11.55 Euros
FB - 21.50 Euros
Verona to Trento:
Regional - 7.10 Euros
FB - 21 Euros
The TrenItalia website will give you exact information.
12) Any other tips?
1) The train service almost completely stops at night, usually between 11 PM to 5 AM. So try not to take a flight that will land late at night. In case you do come at night however, please spend the night at Milan station waiting room (your train ticket will allow you to stay in the waiting room) or else at Verona airport itself (the waiting room at Verona station is also closed at night). Keep a watch on your luggage at all times, especially at Milan.2) In case you have a ticket for a regional or IC train, and you miss your train, you can take the next Regional or IC train.
13) Will someone come to pick me up at the airport?
The university does not send anyone to pick you up from the airport. In the good old days, when there were only a few Indians here, someone from the community would usually come to the airport to pick up newcomers. With the increasing number of people coming here, that is sadly no longer feasible. So please try to reach Trento on your own, the information on this page is to help you out with just that.14) Where can I stay the first night?
There is a nice youth hostel located conveniently close to the Trento railway station. The address and phone number are:Ostello della Gioventu Giovane Europa / Youth Hostel
Via Torre Vanga, 29, Trento.
Phone: +39 0461 263484
There are signboards available from the railway station, just walk right when you exit the railway station, its not more than 300 metres away.
There is a range of options from dormitories to single rooms. Please book in advance.
15) How do I book a room at the youth hostel?
The best thing to do would be to send an email to the Welcome Office in Trento and ask them to reserve a room for you at the youth hostel. Please make sure you have email confirmation from them for the booking. In case you wish to book yourself, you can do so at online hostelling websites using credit card payment.16) What if rooms are not available at the youth hostel?
Trento has a couple of other hotels. Please ask the welcome office to arrange a room for you in one of them or ask them for further guidance.17) What would be a good time to come?
Please try to reach Trento on the evening before your appointment with the Welcome Office. In this way, you will need to stay just one night at the youth hostel, and the next day after meeting the Welcome Office people you will be able to move into university accommodation.18) Am I guaranteed university accommodation? How else does the Welcome Office help?
The Welcome Office provides accommodation in university flats (called Opera flats) for all international students coming to Trento. Please be in touch with your course coordinator/guide and make sure you have sent an application for opera accommodation before you reachTrento.The Welcome Office is extremely well managed and the people there will help you out with all admin issues such as Bank account, Fiscal Code, Stay permit appointment, Library card, City map etc. A student coordinator will also accompany you to the various officesto help avoid language problems.
19) Tips for mobile phone?
If you have a dual or triple band phone in India, bring it along instead of buying a new phone here. The SIM cards here will work with your existing phone.20) Is Indian food easily available?
There are a few Bangladeshi and Pakistani shops here that sells all common Indian food items you might need, right from spices to dal, rice, pickles, papad, namkeen, sweets. There is no need to bring any foodstuff from home. For your first few days, you could bring some namkeen if you have free space and weight allowance left in your bag.
There are also 3 Indian restaurants in Trento.
21) Any "must-carry" items?
Please bring along an Indian style pressure cooker if you eat rice often. For those who cook chapatis, bring along your own rolling stick ("belan") and "chimta". Also bring along bedsheets, pillow cases, towels and things of personal use. Everything else (pots, pans) is available in the opera apartments. Dont forget your medicines since the same might not be easily available here or might be too costly.22) Any tips for clothes?
Carry clothes for all possible weather conditions. Winters are severe, with temperatures going as low as -10. Summers are equally extreme with temperatures reaching as high as 38 to 40 degrees, it can become very uncomfortable. Also carry an umbrella since it can start raining on any day, there is no seperate rainy season as such.23) What are typical expenses?
As a rough guide, around 500 to 600 euros per months is good to live a comfortable life here.24) Do I need to know Italian?
Would be really good if you learnt soon. Its possible to get around without knowing Italian at all, but if you can learn it will be more useful.25) Any other website offering information?
Make sure you have also comprehensively read the University International Office Website , which also offers a wealth of information.26) My question was not answered here. What should I do?
Please make sure again that your question is not included here. After that, please contact me and I will try to help you or else point youto someone else who can.
Thanks to Ambar Shulka for his effort to write the original post.
