Reven

I am trying to book train tickets from Monaco to Genoa for the summer. 2 adults, 2 children. Booking thru trenitalia.it. They give me an option called "Go" instead of "standard", but I can't figure out what that means. Does anybody know? I can change to "Go" to "Standard/Children" for my kids, is that OK or do all 4 have to have tha same ticket?

Do I get the tickets to print at home, get them in Monaco or do I need to go to an Italian railroad station to collect? (In which it is hopeless as I am in Monaco going to Italy).

I have always just bought train tickets at the station, but I wanted to book a car thru Trenitalias site (great discounts on open air Fiats) and then I need tickets.

traveller1959

Under "offers" you have usually 6 fare options. You can choose a different fare for each traveller. Usually the "smart" option is the cheapest, even cheaper than "child".

If "smart" is not available any more, choose "Go" for the adults and "child" for the kids.

I understand that these special fares are flexible. For more information, look here:

http://help.loco2.com/article/430-italian-train-tickets

One ticket for all four is okay. You can print it at home after booking.

neckervd

No Italian would try to buy a local train ticket from Ventimiglia to Genova in advance. It will cost 13 EUR, plus the 4 EUR for the Monte Carlo - Ventimiglia shuttle train

Reven

Not sure what you mean neckervd? Is it cheaper to buy at the monaco station?

Man_in_seat_61

Neckervd hasn't realised you are asking about the direct express Thello train, he's referring to a slow journey on two separate basic regional trains with a change at Ventimiglia, both of which have pay-on-the-day fixed fares and no reservations.

But yes, it's nicer to take the direct Thello express train which has variable pricing - cheap in advance, more expensive on the day, and on which all seats are reserved.

Go is simply an advance-purchase rate with limits on changes and refunds.

PalenQ

Neckervd hasn't realised you are asking about the direct express Thello train>

I did not realize that either as you somehow do - just says trains - any train to get a Trenitalia ticket for a car rental - does the Thello train - a non-Trenitalia train even count - well if it is printed on Trenitalia ticket stocks I guess.

Neckervd's regional trains would cost 17 euros total to Genova from Monaco but yes those trains take longer because they do not stop so much -not a high-speed line so bullet trains can't really go that fast but are faster because they only stop at main stations.

for general info on Italian trains check www.seat61.com- Man in Seat 61 who posts above his excellent commercial site; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

Q - if you just need a Trenitalia ticket to get a good price on that Fiat why not just book a train from Ventimiglia to say San Remo and collect your car there?

Reven

Thanks, PalenQ. The thello train is the only one available on trenitalia.it. Perhaps the regional trains will come up closer to departure? How long is the ride by regional train? We have to get to a house we have rented in Lavagna by 3 pm. I want to get the car in Genoa as I am going to Milano after staying at the riviera for a week.

PalenQ

Trenitalia does not carry regional trains sometimes - at least I think I've heard that but they will be running frequently - again those tickets you just buy in Ventimiglia from a Trenitalia ticket window or machine.

I just looked at www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways scheduling site for all European trains for and for a day in mid-June it says every two hours TER and Regional trains (change at Ventimiglia) take about 4 hours to Genova from Monaco - some 3.5 hours - TER is a French regional train to Ventimgilia where you change to the Trenitalia regional train to Genoa.

Check that site for schedules of regional trains - click the box by Local Transport Only or you will only get the faster trains like that EC - Euro City Thello train the only train that goes direct between Monaco and Genoa I think- a few times a day and yes it would be an hour or so quicker but could cost more - with TER and regional trains no reason to buy early - to get a 29 euro or so fare on Thello you must book in stone a specific train weeks in advance - no changes allowed. Regional trains seem much more simple and do not take that much longer.

Q- If you rent your car in Genoa you have to return it there? If not pick up in say San Remo - with a ticket from Ventimiglia and drive on from there and return car in Genoa - your quickest way I think, avoiding driving thru a rather hectic Genoa.

familiarize yourself with No Go Zones in Italian cities where private vehicles are banned and cameras catch miscreants who get expensive tickets in the mail thru their rental company months later.

kybourbon

>>>Thanks, PalenQ. The thello train is the only one available on trenitalia.it.
Perhaps the regional trains will come up closer to departure? How long is the ride by regional train? <<<

Thello operates internationally which is why you can buy tickets on Trenitalia (the Italian rail site), Thello and SNCF (the French rail site). The other trains are local and operated by each country. If you look on SNCF, you will see the trains Monaco/Ventimiglia. Then you must look on Trenitalia to see the Ventimiglia/Genoa legs.

I don't see where you mentioned your travel date, but winter schedules change to summer the 2nd weekend in June. The regional trains might not be loaded in the system yet (these schedules will not change much). Regional trains don't have discounts or reserved seating (it's not available no matter when you buy). Trenitalia sells regional tickets 7 days in advance online. I don't know about the French rail site.

As for Go fares, that name is a Trenitalia holdover from their international trains between Italy/Switzerland. The Italy departures they called Smart fares (Smart 1 and 2), but if you departed from Switzerland it was called a Go fare. It seems they are using the same names on Thello with slightly different meanings. On Trenitalia, the more in depth discount info for the Thello train is on the Italian version.

http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom/Altri...ta-Smart-Price

>>>Do I get the tickets to print at home, get them in Monaco or do I need to go to an Italian railroad station to collect?<<<

I would assume the Monaco station has a trackside kiosk to retrieve your tickets. I know the station in Nice does. It will have the Trenitalia logo. YOu can see the kiosk in this video about 20 seconds in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hidKDNCiuas

PalenQ

On Trenitalia, the more in depth discount info for the Thello train is on the Italian version.>

would not the Thello site - www.thello.com have the best fares possible? If the bulky trenitalia site does not show them.

No reason for buying regional trains in advance, right?

kybourbon

>>>No reason for buying regional trains in advance, right?<<<

Right, but the OP is talking about the Thello train, not the local regional train.

>>>would not the Thello site - www.thello.com have the best fares possible? If the bulky trenitalia site does not show them.<<<<

The fares will be the same no matter whether you use Thello or Trenitalia. Trenitalia does show them, just more in depth explanations of fare rules on the Italian version. Trenitalia does not show all discounts for various trains on the English version. Thello might not either (haven't looked at their site that thoroughly).

The GO fares are higher than the Smart fares. The Go fares for Thello can be bought 4 months in advance and up to 3 days before departure (about 28€ Genoa/Nice 2nd class). The Smart fare is 15€ and can be bought 4 months in advance until 7 days before departure. Both of those fares can sell out and then you would pay the regular fare (38€ Genoa/Nice). Change rules are different too. So if 2nd class 15€ Smart fare is sold out, it pays to see if the 1st class Smart fare (25€) is still available instead of automatically booking the 2nd class Go fare (28€). The only difference in 1st and 2nd class is slightly wider seats (10cm) and slightly more recline (similar to the Frecce trains). No other amenities are mentioned for 1st on Thello day trains (Frecce includes snacks in 1st).

PalenQ

The only difference in 1st and 2nd class is slightly wider seats (10cm) and slightly more recline (similar to the Frecce trains).>

You say this all the time and IME that is not the only difference - there is more space in 1st class as there are about 25% fewer seats in the same size train car as 2nd class and IME there are often more empty seats in first class than 2nd - easier to stow luggage - lots of Europeans go first class and it is not just for 10cm of wider seats and first class tickets I believe come in discounted forms too - if not much more go first class IMO and IME.

You give such valuable and informative advice but miss the boat or train on your characterization that first class only provides 10 cm or so of extra seat width - there are many more benefits than that IME - check www.seat61.com for a realistic view of the difference between classes.

PalenQ

a major difference between classes is that only in first class can you get rows with just one seat in them - the ultimate aisle and window seat - no bothering anyone to get out or being bothered by anyone doing that - these seats can face each other with a table in between - great for couples or single travelers.

Why do you never take this into account - those seats are priceless to me - 2nd class is always or nearly always 2 by 2 facing 2 by 2 - some folks like privacy and comfort of having both an aisle and a window seat - maybe you've never ridden first class and do not realize that but do some research on that and tell me why that difference is only about 10cm of seat width???

sandralist

Reven:

Consider renting your car in Rapallo if the hours when the rental office work for your schedule. Or else rent it in Ventimiglia and drive the whole way.

That said, it is easier NOT to have a car at all on the Riviera, and it easier to to take the train to Milan from Lavagna than to drive from Lavagna to Milan. If for some reason you must drive to Milan, then consider taking the train to Lavagna, and pick up the car after a few days.

The only thing that might make we want a car in Lavagna is if the house where you are going is not in the town, but in the hills. But if it is in the town (or near the beaches), you will find it very difficult to park the car if you go sightseeing using the car. There is very little parking for non-residents on the Riviera.

sandralist

In case my post wasn't clear, I am suggesting that you take the train from Monaco to Lavagna, but if you want a car to drive to Milan, then get the car in Rapallo after you've been in Lavagna for a few days.