nmb79

Hello all,
We, two of use, will be traveling from Rome to Salerno in July via rail. Since this is a fairly short trip 2-2.5 hrs, do you recommend I purchase the rail passes now or wait until we get to the station? We would be catching the train on a weekday morning, between 9-10am.
Thanks
NMB79

kybourbon

No, you don't need a railpass. You can get advance purchase discount tickets on the Italian train website Trenitalia. Some trains require a change in Naples and others don't so you might want to choose the one without changes if the times work for you. The AV trains are fastest/nicest.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD

nmb79

Thanks kybourbon. How do I know if I am taking an AV train? Looking at the website I see there is Super Economy Business class ticket available for the same price as a premium seat. Since there are two of us traveling, I would like to book seats that are right next to one another. This way we can keep an eye on our luggage.
Do you think I should buy the tickets now (print at home the ticket) to reserve our spot?

kybourbon

What date are you looking at?

kybourbon

>>>Since there are two of us traveling, I would like to book seats that are right next to one another.<<<

You can select your seats. You might prefer across from each other with each by the window.

This is 2nd class (standard) on the fast train.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg

There are some Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca trains (the fast AV trains) that don't require changing in Naples. There are also some IC trains (not as nice and a bit slower, but can be cheaper) that don't require a change.

The Frecciabianca will have 1st and 2nd class (2nd like pic linked above). 1st will be similar, but only three seats across instead of four (2 facing 2 on one side of the aisle and 1 facing 1 on the other side of the aisle).

The Frecciarossa on this route usually has standard (2nd class):

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD

premium (same as second, same amount of space, but better fabric on seats)

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD

business - 1st (silent car or not) and executive (more for meetings).

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD

Executive
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD

If you can get business for the same price as premium, you will have a bit more room. Super economy on this route runs about 29€ for those two classes on Frecciarossa. The system has auto seat assignment as the default so you would need to change that to select seat. You will then get a seat diagram (similar to selecting seats on flights). If you want the seats that are one facing one (do know that one of you will be riding backwards with this selection), you should select the ones that have the gray oblong dividing them as that denotes the tables. Some seats will not have a table (usually seats toward the ends of the cars). I prefer having a table to use for drinks, laptop (currently wifi is free - need a code), etc.

Walk up price for premium on Frecciarossa is 53€ and business is 62€ for this route. The super economy and economy discount tickets are limited and can sell out.