GAC

A very common question on this and other travel sites is whether to pre-purchase Trenitalia rail tickets for travel on the date of arrival by plane or ship.

This is a very good question, and unfortunately many people are not aware of the various options available, and the advantages/drawbacks of each option:

OPTION 1: Buy ticket when you arrive at the FCO or MXP airport train station (or at the rail station where you board your first train)

Advantages: maintains full flexibility in case of late arrival

Disadvantages: during heavy travel periods, you may not get your train of FIRST choice. However, AV trains between Rome and Florence run on average every 30 minutes, so this is usually not a big issue. AV trains between Rome and Naples run hourly, as do AV trains between Milan and Bologna/Florence, and between Venice and Bologna/Florence/Rome. ES-City (Frecciabianca) trains between Milan and Venice also run hourly. At worst, you may need to take your second or even third choice of train, if earlier trains are sold out.

NOTE: there might be a problem around Christmas and New Year's, and a couple of other days throughout the year, but this is infrequent

OPTION 1a: If second class seats are sold out, buy a first class ticket rather than waiting for the next train

Advantages: Leave sooner, and save time

Disadvantages: Pay considerably more, for only marginal betterment of service.

OPTION 2: Buy a "MINI" fare ticket in advance

Advantages: you can save between 10% and 60% on the regular fare

Disadvantages: if you MISS your reserved train, even by one second, you have a worthless ticket, and you must purchase a brand new, regular fare ticket. Furthermore, because (with the "MINI" fare ticket) you can never anticipate your reservation to an EARLIER-departing train (nor make ANY changes on the day of travel), you can't "hedge your bets" by intentionally reserving a very late-departing train, then plan on changing to an earlier-departing train if your plane arrives on time.

OPINION: Avoid buying a “MINI” fare ticket for travel on the day of arrival by plane or ship!!! Buy a “MINI” fare ticket only when you’re 99% sure of taking the train for which you hold a reservation.

OPTION 3: Buy a "Flessibile" fare ticket

Advantages: allows reservation changes up to 24 hours after departure of your scheduled train (in case you arrive late). You can also switch to an earlier-departing train, for that matter, without any surcharge or penalty.

Disadvantages: costs 25% more than the regular fare ticket

OPINION: Usually not necessary and usually a waste of money. This ticket is designed for business travelers who don’t know exactly when they will be able to depart (within an arc of 24-hours)

OPTION 4: Buy a regular, "base" fare ticket

Advantages: ensures you'll have a seat on the train you select

Disadvantages: ticket becomes worthless if you MISS your reserved train by MORE THAN ONE HOUR. QUANDARY: these days, how can you be so sure that your plane won't arrive later than anticipated?

SOLUTION (works most of the time, but does not give 100% protection): intentionally reserve a later-departing train at the "base" fare (which gives you plenty of "wiggle-room" in case your plane or ship arrives late), then ask the ticket agent at the train station window to switch you to an earlier-departing train if your plane arrives on time. THIS IS PERMITTED WITH THE "BASE" FARE AND "FLESSIBILE" FARE TICKETS, BUT NOT WITH THE "MINI" FARE TICKET.

OPTION 5: if schedules are convenient, take one of the cheap, unreserved “regionale” trains, which are offered on such popular routes as Rome/Florence, Rome/Naples, Rome/Pisa, Venice/Bologna, Bologna/Florence (with a change at Prato Centrale), Florence/Pisa, Florence/Lucca, Florence/Arezzo, Milan/Turin, Milan/Genoa, Milan/Verona, Milan/Venice and Verona/Venice.

EASIEST SOLUTION: follow option 1 above!!! This works most of the time.

www.ferroviedellostato.it

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

annhig

wow.

what do you do for an encore?

thanks for taking the trouble to post this great information.

qwovadis

www.seat61.com/Italy.htm

great info on all this with pictures

train a lot over there was there in April May

never book in advance never have had to wait.

My wife loves the fast trains we took the FrecciaRosa

Rome Naples 40 euros 1 hour was nice

Also rode FrecciaArgento 31/2 hours Venice Rome nice 80 eu

Personally prefer the slower better value regional trains

mainly because they are cheaper did Orvieto Florence in May

5 euros had a big private compartment all to myself.

Very difficult to book abroad waiting to book locally better

also better not to be locked in in case of strikes unrest

Italy is right behind Greece on the financial collapse list.

So insuremytrip.com flexibility is the key for me.

pass is always bad value in Italy also.

jk1348

Thank you - You answered a lot of my questions concerning my trip to Venice from Rome on the day of arrival. I really appeciate it.

JBX

Good links & info. And topic very relevant as many have raised this question in past few weeks ... whether to buy Italian rail tix once you arrive in country or to book ahead.