The Long Journey from Austria
Early Sunday morning, we took the train from Vöcklabruck to Salzburg. At Salzburg Süd, we got off and walked about 10 minutes to the Flixbus stop. After a short layover, the bus finally brought us to Udine, where we walked to our apartment.
Exploring the City and First Challenges
After checking out the apartment, we set out to find a supermarket. Since most shops were closed on Sunday afternoon, we ended up at Aldi, stocking up on pasta and essentials. Back at the apartment, we cooked our first meal – only to realize: We needed a bus ticket for the next day!
The Midnight Ticket Struggle
With our internship contact unreachable, we were completely on our own. Almost no one spoke English, so at 11:00 PM, we decided to walk to the train station to find a ticket machine.
In hindsight, not the best idea:
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The station felt deserted and uneasy
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Some shady characters were hanging around
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Military, Carabinieri, and police patrolled everywhere – even in broad daylight, especially around the station. Their presence was reassuring but also strangely intimidating.
The ticket machine had an English option, but the translation was so poor that we couldn’t figure it out. Defeated, we headed back.
The Savior: The Transit App
Back at the apartment, we discovered the official TPL FVG App – our lifesaver! The app displays all ticket options for Udine’s buses, real-time schedules, and even service disruptions. Pro tip: You can pay directly by credit card, which saved us so much hassle.
Conclusion: A Chaotic but Unforgettable Start
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The journey: Long but manageable
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Language barrier: Tougher than expected
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Midnight mission: Better not repeated
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Solution: Always check for apps first!
Anyone had similar experiences in Italy? Or tips for Udine?