dadcat

I travelled to Italy back in 2007 and it seems as if I found a detailed, step by step tips to purchase tickets on Trenitalia. Since I did not speak Italian, it was very helpful. I cannot seem to find it. I thought I found it on Trip Advisor but cannot find it now.
My daughter, her husband, and son are going to Italy in April and I am trying to help them purchase train tickets.
Any help is gratefully appreciated.

MmePerdu

Here you are:
http://seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm

dadcat

Thank you very much.

MmePerdu

You're most welcome.

kybourbon

Things have changed since 2007. Do you want step-by-step for online purchase on Trenitalia's website or step-by-step for using the ticket kiosks in the stations?

Both are covered on RoninRome's website with screen-by-screen pictures.

Kiosks:
http://www.roninrome.com/transportat...ickets-updated

Buying on Trenitalia:
http://www.roninrome.com/transportat...italia-website

2012moving

Thanks to kybourban for roninrome. I am training in Italy in May and these sites are fantastic. Still have to figure out how to get from Italy to Switzerland using baggage services and coordinating them Milan to Locarno but that's a story in itself. I've appealed to the Italian Tourist Bureau.

I've done a lot of research through Fodor's (ever so grateful for the info here) and am almost ready to post my itinerary. Roninrome has shown me exactly what those stairs look like into the train. I feel so comforted!

kybourbon

For trains departing from Switzerland, you need to use the Swiss rail website (look for saver fares).
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

If you are departing from Milan to Switzerland, use Trenitalia and look for Smart Fares (in the fare drop down box. Enter Milan and Bellinzona (you have to change trains there) and select smart fare (should be 19€ instead of the regular price of 27€). You can buy your Bellinzona/Locarno ticket when you arrive Bellinzona or on the Swiss site.

Rules about Smart fares for Italy/Switzerland:

>>>Geneva, Basel and Zurich starting from 19 euros
With Eurocity trains Italy - Switzerland , Smart price starting from 19 euros for 2nd class seat (Smart 2 is higher).

The offer is subject to availability and has limited seats. Tickets can be bought up to 14 days before departure. Once the seat availability is finished and up to 7 days before departure, Smart Price ticket are available at a slightly higher price. Smart price tickets are neither changeable nor refundable.<<<

DHL does some baggage service, but your luggage doesn't arrive that day.

flyme2themoon

bookmarking

Mimar

For completeness' sake, here is another site with detailed Italian train information: www.slowtrav.com/italy/trains/index.htm

kybourbon

>>>For completeness' sake,<<<

The train info on slowtrav hasn't been updated since 2005. It's no longer very useful as so much of it is out of date. It doesn't even list the AV trains which are what most people use.

Cinzia

Thank you kybourbon for your wonderful links. I have been baffle for weeks trying to figure this out.