Trenitalia "MINI" fares as low as 9 Euros SYSTEMWIDE
Feb 16th, 2012, 05:47 PM
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Trenitalia "MINI" fares as low as 9 Euros SYSTEMWIDE
BREAKING NEWS:
Trenitalia announces TODAY that its "MINI" advance purchase promotional fares can be had for as little as 9 Euros on just about any of its fast trains in national service: Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, Intercity, Intercity Night and Espresso!
Where BEFORE today, the 9 Euro fare was offered only on the route between Milan and Venice (on the Frecciabianca trains), it's now been extended SYSTEMWIDE.
Excluded, as always, are the unreserved regionale trains.
"MINI" fares continue to have the same restrictions and limitations as before.
This means that the "MINI" discount can now be as much as 90% on the longest routes!
Read the press release in English:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
Trenitalia announces TODAY that its "MINI" advance purchase promotional fares can be had for as little as 9 Euros on just about any of its fast trains in national service: Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, Intercity, Intercity Night and Espresso!
Where BEFORE today, the 9 Euro fare was offered only on the route between Milan and Venice (on the Frecciabianca trains), it's now been extended SYSTEMWIDE.
Excluded, as always, are the unreserved regionale trains.
"MINI" fares continue to have the same restrictions and limitations as before.
This means that the "MINI" discount can now be as much as 90% on the longest routes!
Read the press release in English:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
Feb 16th, 2012, 06:58 PM
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"MINI" fares are capacity-contolled, and availability can vary according to route, date, train category, time of departure, and class of service.
The lowest fare of 9 Euros will not be available on all trains at all times!
Here are some more things to know about the "MINI" fares:
There is a great deal of misinformation about the Trenitalia "MINI" fare on the internet. Here are some points to remember:
1. MINI FARE TICKETS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE ON OR AFTER THE SCHEDULED DAY OF TRAVEL. Nevertheless, MINI fare tickets (with a face value of at least 10.01 Euros) ARE refundable, with a 50% FORFEITURE of the fare actually paid, IF the refund request is made no later than 23:59 (Italy time) of the day PRIOR to scheduled travel. Refunds of PAPER tickets can be done at the train station ticket counter. Refunds of ELECTRONIC tickets can only be done via the Trenitalia LE FRECCE website, by e-mail, or via the Trenitalia call center. Refunds can take several weeks to post back to a credit card.
2. MINI FARE TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE ON OR AFTER THE SCHEDULED DAY OF TRAVEL. Nevertheless, MINI fare tickets ARE changeable, ONCE ONLY, with a SURCHARGE to the "base" fare, IF the change is requested no later than 23:59 (Italy time) of the day PRIOR to scheduled travel. The new reservaton must be for a LATER-departing train (not an earlier-departing train). ONE booking change can be done at the train station ticket counter, electronic ticket machines, Trenitalia call center, Frecciarossa mobile desks at the station, or via the Trenitalia LE FRECCE website.
3. Examples of when MINI ticket refund/booking change requests will NOT be honored:
You MISS your scheduled train because of (i) a LATE-ARRIVING PLANE, ship, or connecting train (with the exception of a connection from another Trenitalia Freccia or IC train, at the discretion of the Trenitalia customer assistance staff); (ii) your alarm clock did not go off in the morning; (iii) the taxi taking you to the train station was caught in traffic; (iv) you forgot about the hour change with daylight savings; (v) you injured yourself walking to the train station, etc.
BUT, there are times when you MAY seek a (partial) refund of, or booking change to, a "MINI" fare ticket (no later than 23:59 (Italy time) of the day PRIOR to scheduled travel), e.g.: (i) your travel plans change; (ii) you become sick and cannot/choose not to travel; (iii) you are injured and cannot/choose not to travel.
4. MINI fares must be purchased no later than 23:59 (Italy time) of the day which is TWO DAYS prior to desired travel. After such time, the MINI fare is no longer available. The better "MINI" fares are usually found with a much greater advance purchase.
5. MINI fares give a discount between 10% and 90% off the "base" fare, in increments of 10%. Discounts tend to get SMALLER the closer the travel date approaches. There is usually no advantage to wait to purchase the MINI fare (as long as one's travel fares are fixed).
6. MINI fares are often lower for trains departing as less popular hours (outside of peak commute times), or trains arriving at or departing from secondary stations such as Venice Mestre, Florence Rifredi/Campo di Marte or Rome Tiburtina.
7. MINI fares are available in both first and second class. Sometimes, the percentage discount in first class is greater than for the same train in second class (because MINI fares are all-capacity controlled).
8. MINI fares vary according to travel date, specific train, and class of service. Remember that the "MINI" fares for the Intercity (IC) trains will be cheaper than those for the more expensive Freccia trains.
9. Once schedules and fares have been uploaded to the Trenitalia website, MINI fares can usually be purchased up to FOUR MONTHS in advance (although this is not a "hard" rule).
10. Except in very narrow circumstances involving missed connections from one of the Trenitalia fast national trains (Freccia or IC), you FORFEIT your MINI fare ticket if you MISS your scheduled train, even by one second. For that reason, it's risky to book the MINI fare on the same day as arrival by plane (unless the fare is so low that you're prepared to forfeit the ticket if you miss the train). As a rule of thumb, it's also risky to book a "MINI" fare ticket for a second or third connecting train (i.e. not the first train in a series of connections).
11. Outside of a couple of days each year, it's usually not necessary to book Trenitalia tickets in advance if one is not interested in saving money with a MINI or other promotional fare. Also, on popular tourist routes, fast trains usually run every hour or less.
12. MINI fares are the same for adults as for children. There is a separate child's fare, but it's not cumulable with the MINI discount. Sometimes, the regular child's fare (50% for children between 4 and 12) is lower than the MINI fare for the same train. (Toddlers under 4 ALWAYS travel free without a ticket and without a guaranteed seat). "MINI" fares also cannot be combined with the "Familia" fare (which is sometimes less generous than the better "MINI" fares for all travellers).
13. MINI fares are available on all Trenitalia trains EXCEPT the unreserved regionale trains (which are non-discountable aside from children's fares).
14. As contrasted to the MINI fares, regular "Base" fares do NOT increase as the travel date approaches (UNLESS there is a system-wide tariff change).
15. As contrasted to the FAST trains, it's usually a very bad idea to purchase an electronic ticket for the unreserved regionale trains. Electronic tickets have significant restrictions which traditional paper tickets (purchased in Italy) don't have, and advanced purchases for the regionale trains don't generate any real benefits (aside for the convenience of not having to buy them in Italy).
16. Saavy travellers won't purchase a "MINI" fare ticket which gives only a 10% discount. That's because the "MINI" fare has inherent risks (noted above), and a 10% discount is usually too small to justify that risk.
17. People purchasing Trenitalia tickets through the Trenitalia website should read carefully the tariff rules for the ticket purchased ("base", MINI, etc.), as well as the rules on Electronic tickets.
The lowest fare of 9 Euros will not be available on all trains at all times!
Here are some more things to know about the "MINI" fares:
There is a great deal of misinformation about the Trenitalia "MINI" fare on the internet. Here are some points to remember:
1. MINI FARE TICKETS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE ON OR AFTER THE SCHEDULED DAY OF TRAVEL. Nevertheless, MINI fare tickets (with a face value of at least 10.01 Euros) ARE refundable, with a 50% FORFEITURE of the fare actually paid, IF the refund request is made no later than 23:59 (Italy time) of the day PRIOR to scheduled travel. Refunds of PAPER tickets can be done at the train station ticket counter. Refunds of ELECTRONIC tickets can only be done via the Trenitalia LE FRECCE website, by e-mail, or via the Trenitalia call center. Refunds can take several weeks to post back to a credit card.
2. MINI FARE TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE ON OR AFTER THE SCHEDULED DAY OF TRAVEL. Nevertheless, MINI fare tickets ARE changeable, ONCE ONLY, with a SURCHARGE to the "base" fare, IF the change is requested no later than 23:59 (Italy time) of the day PRIOR to scheduled travel. The new reservaton must be for a LATER-departing train (not an earlier-departing train). ONE booking change can be done at the train station ticket counter, electronic ticket machines, Trenitalia call center, Frecciarossa mobile desks at the station, or via the Trenitalia LE FRECCE website.
3. Examples of when MINI ticket refund/booking change requests will NOT be honored:
You MISS your scheduled train because of (i) a LATE-ARRIVING PLANE, ship, or connecting train (with the exception of a connection from another Trenitalia Freccia or IC train, at the discretion of the Trenitalia customer assistance staff); (ii) your alarm clock did not go off in the morning; (iii) the taxi taking you to the train station was caught in traffic; (iv) you forgot about the hour change with daylight savings; (v) you injured yourself walking to the train station, etc.
BUT, there are times when you MAY seek a (partial) refund of, or booking change to, a "MINI" fare ticket (no later than 23:59 (Italy time) of the day PRIOR to scheduled travel), e.g.: (i) your travel plans change; (ii) you become sick and cannot/choose not to travel; (iii) you are injured and cannot/choose not to travel.
4. MINI fares must be purchased no later than 23:59 (Italy time) of the day which is TWO DAYS prior to desired travel. After such time, the MINI fare is no longer available. The better "MINI" fares are usually found with a much greater advance purchase.
5. MINI fares give a discount between 10% and 90% off the "base" fare, in increments of 10%. Discounts tend to get SMALLER the closer the travel date approaches. There is usually no advantage to wait to purchase the MINI fare (as long as one's travel fares are fixed).
6. MINI fares are often lower for trains departing as less popular hours (outside of peak commute times), or trains arriving at or departing from secondary stations such as Venice Mestre, Florence Rifredi/Campo di Marte or Rome Tiburtina.
7. MINI fares are available in both first and second class. Sometimes, the percentage discount in first class is greater than for the same train in second class (because MINI fares are all-capacity controlled).
8. MINI fares vary according to travel date, specific train, and class of service. Remember that the "MINI" fares for the Intercity (IC) trains will be cheaper than those for the more expensive Freccia trains.
9. Once schedules and fares have been uploaded to the Trenitalia website, MINI fares can usually be purchased up to FOUR MONTHS in advance (although this is not a "hard" rule).
10. Except in very narrow circumstances involving missed connections from one of the Trenitalia fast national trains (Freccia or IC), you FORFEIT your MINI fare ticket if you MISS your scheduled train, even by one second. For that reason, it's risky to book the MINI fare on the same day as arrival by plane (unless the fare is so low that you're prepared to forfeit the ticket if you miss the train). As a rule of thumb, it's also risky to book a "MINI" fare ticket for a second or third connecting train (i.e. not the first train in a series of connections).
11. Outside of a couple of days each year, it's usually not necessary to book Trenitalia tickets in advance if one is not interested in saving money with a MINI or other promotional fare. Also, on popular tourist routes, fast trains usually run every hour or less.
12. MINI fares are the same for adults as for children. There is a separate child's fare, but it's not cumulable with the MINI discount. Sometimes, the regular child's fare (50% for children between 4 and 12) is lower than the MINI fare for the same train. (Toddlers under 4 ALWAYS travel free without a ticket and without a guaranteed seat). "MINI" fares also cannot be combined with the "Familia" fare (which is sometimes less generous than the better "MINI" fares for all travellers).
13. MINI fares are available on all Trenitalia trains EXCEPT the unreserved regionale trains (which are non-discountable aside from children's fares).
14. As contrasted to the MINI fares, regular "Base" fares do NOT increase as the travel date approaches (UNLESS there is a system-wide tariff change).
15. As contrasted to the FAST trains, it's usually a very bad idea to purchase an electronic ticket for the unreserved regionale trains. Electronic tickets have significant restrictions which traditional paper tickets (purchased in Italy) don't have, and advanced purchases for the regionale trains don't generate any real benefits (aside for the convenience of not having to buy them in Italy).
16. Saavy travellers won't purchase a "MINI" fare ticket which gives only a 10% discount. That's because the "MINI" fare has inherent risks (noted above), and a 10% discount is usually too small to justify that risk.
17. People purchasing Trenitalia tickets through the Trenitalia website should read carefully the tariff rules for the ticket purchased ("base", MINI, etc.), as well as the rules on Electronic tickets.
Feb 16th, 2012, 07:18 PM
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When you purchase these mini tickets (I found some I would like), does Trenitalia send you email confirmation that you present at the train station? I am not sure how this works.
Thank you so much for all of the information
Thank you so much for all of the information
Feb 16th, 2012, 07:29 PM
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How Trenitalia "ticketless" electronic tickets work:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
Feb 17th, 2012, 05:20 AM
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One or two things it's perhaps worth adding to that?
Use the Le Frecce site and you'll see something like this...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/imag...57589/original
First, good news for many - the 6th May blockage has gone, and these are prices for May 17th
Second, indeed €9 Mini fares - here for travel between Naples and Rome that day, available on both FrecciaRossa and Intercity services
Third, a hidden benefit - in as much as some trains apparently now offer a "2nd class standard" level of accommodation, for which the Base fare is only €43 - whilst on others the cheapest looks to be €45 in "2nd class", the same as it's been until now!
In the dropdown menus a variety of other options can be found: 2nd Premium (Mini €39, Base €50) and four further - increasing expensive - levels after that, up to Executive (Flessible tickets only), which costs a whopping €99...
Peter
Use the Le Frecce site and you'll see something like this...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/imag...57589/original
First, good news for many - the 6th May blockage has gone, and these are prices for May 17th
Second, indeed €9 Mini fares - here for travel between Naples and Rome that day, available on both FrecciaRossa and Intercity services
Third, a hidden benefit - in as much as some trains apparently now offer a "2nd class standard" level of accommodation, for which the Base fare is only €43 - whilst on others the cheapest looks to be €45 in "2nd class", the same as it's been until now!
In the dropdown menus a variety of other options can be found: 2nd Premium (Mini €39, Base €50) and four further - increasing expensive - levels after that, up to Executive (Flessible tickets only), which costs a whopping €99...
Peter
Feb 17th, 2012, 07:01 AM
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Yes, you should be able to book from the US and elsewhere outside of Italy, using a credit card. If you're unsuccessful, you should check with your card issuer to make sure the transaction is not being blocked on your end.
Print out ALL the confirmation information you receive, as it might be necessary in case you need to make a reservation change or seek a (partial) ticket refund. You'll also need to show the reservation confirmation number to the ticket agent on board the train, as is explained in the hyperlinked posting above (how Trenitalia "ticketless" electronic tickets work).
Print out ALL the confirmation information you receive, as it might be necessary in case you need to make a reservation change or seek a (partial) ticket refund. You'll also need to show the reservation confirmation number to the ticket agent on board the train, as is explained in the hyperlinked posting above (how Trenitalia "ticketless" electronic tickets work).
Feb 17th, 2012, 07:38 AM
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Feb 17th, 2012, 08:10 AM
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thanks GAC for such a detailed summary of the fares and how to use the system.
I have a question on the seating on 1st class trains from Rome to Florence. Are the single seats facing each other? When I look on the 1045Am on 5/6 I see seats but with a large blank space in between seats (not the aisle) What is that? Also on the lst class trains where are the larger suitcases stored in the front of the train or the back?
Thank you for any help you can give me..
I have a question on the seating on 1st class trains from Rome to Florence. Are the single seats facing each other? When I look on the 1045Am on 5/6 I see seats but with a large blank space in between seats (not the aisle) What is that? Also on the lst class trains where are the larger suitcases stored in the front of the train or the back?
Thank you for any help you can give me..
Feb 17th, 2012, 08:11 AM
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Yep, we got minis to and from Naples about 10 days ago. R/T per person was well under 20 euros...real happy...weird thing was on the way down they were for a regionale but on the way back on a high-speed
With one-ways to Firenze, tickets were 27 euros each on the fast train.
dave
With one-ways to Firenze, tickets were 27 euros each on the fast train.
dave
Feb 17th, 2012, 08:28 AM
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QUESTIONS
Are the single seats facing each other? When I look on the 1045Am on 5/6 I see seats but with a large blank space in between seats (not the aisle) What is that? Also on the lst class trains where are the larger suitcases stored in the front of the train or the back?
ANSWERS: Some single seats face each other, with a folding tray table in-between (that's the "large blank space" you see between the seats, with a grey line for the table). Other single seats (at the rail car ends) face in the same direction (as on a bus or airplane). Very large suitcases (which won't fit in-between the seat rows or in the overhead racks) can be stowed in the oversized luggage racks which are found at the end of each railcar OPPOSITE the end which has the restrooms. The seat maps shown on the LE FRECCE Trenitalia website (which you must specifically select before completing your purchase) will help you locate the railcar end with the oversized luggage racks (it will be on the OPPOSITE end which has the "WC"). It's not a foolproof method, so don't be annoyed if you end up near the end of the railcar with the restrooms instead of the large luggage racks!
Are the single seats facing each other? When I look on the 1045Am on 5/6 I see seats but with a large blank space in between seats (not the aisle) What is that? Also on the lst class trains where are the larger suitcases stored in the front of the train or the back?
ANSWERS: Some single seats face each other, with a folding tray table in-between (that's the "large blank space" you see between the seats, with a grey line for the table). Other single seats (at the rail car ends) face in the same direction (as on a bus or airplane). Very large suitcases (which won't fit in-between the seat rows or in the overhead racks) can be stowed in the oversized luggage racks which are found at the end of each railcar OPPOSITE the end which has the restrooms. The seat maps shown on the LE FRECCE Trenitalia website (which you must specifically select before completing your purchase) will help you locate the railcar end with the oversized luggage racks (it will be on the OPPOSITE end which has the "WC"). It's not a foolproof method, so don't be annoyed if you end up near the end of the railcar with the restrooms instead of the large luggage racks!
Feb 17th, 2012, 09:03 AM
#15
>>>>pookymimi on Feb 17, 12 at 11:29am
I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I can't go to the page where the Minis are. I keep being directed to the page with regular schedule and prices<<<
Even on the regular Trenitalia page, you can still select Mini Fares. Once you enter your cities/dates/time, on the next screen select the train you want and the fares will appear. If you are searching a route that isn't served by the faster trains, you will not see Mini Fares.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I can't go to the page where the Minis are. I keep being directed to the page with regular schedule and prices<<<
Even on the regular Trenitalia page, you can still select Mini Fares. Once you enter your cities/dates/time, on the next screen select the train you want and the fares will appear. If you are searching a route that isn't served by the faster trains, you will not see Mini Fares.
Feb 17th, 2012, 09:13 AM
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My question isn't about the mini fares specifically but since you are the train expert perhaps you can help me. In July I need to go from Milan to Luxembourg. The Trenitalia site says "no solution found". The bahn (German site) lists a train (two trains, with connection in Basel) but doesn't give a price and says you can't book connections outside of Germany online. The rail europe site lists the same train but when you go to fares and availability it says it can't find it.
So, is there any way to reserve this ahead of time. I'll be in Italy for 8 days before the day I need to travel to Luxemborg, but only in Milan the day before. Seems too risky to wait till I get to Milan. Advice?
So, is there any way to reserve this ahead of time. I'll be in Italy for 8 days before the day I need to travel to Luxemborg, but only in Milan the day before. Seems too risky to wait till I get to Milan. Advice?
Feb 17th, 2012, 10:55 AM
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Thanks everybody, I found them.
I will have to wait for the price for our train trips to be posted as they start in June 16th, the first Venice to Naples x 4.
Depending on how much is for the 4 of us that trip if I still will buy the Eurail for us. I calculated with the minis for today and it came to 344 euros, so Minis may not be so convenient against the pass in the event you have more than 2 passengers. Although the price for one passengers are smoking!
I will have to wait for the price for our train trips to be posted as they start in June 16th, the first Venice to Naples x 4.
Depending on how much is for the 4 of us that trip if I still will buy the Eurail for us. I calculated with the minis for today and it came to 344 euros, so Minis may not be so convenient against the pass in the event you have more than 2 passengers. Although the price for one passengers are smoking!
Feb 17th, 2012, 11:49 AM
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Perhaps this is Trenitalia's "offensive" pricing strategy as NVT, (Ihttp://www.ntvspa.it/en/index.html) prepares to commence operations. Since NVT seems to be focusing on the high-speed traveler, it appears Trenitalia may try to squeeze them price-wise at inception. A very interesting strategy.
It will be very difficult for NVT to compete with the MINI ticket prices. They are also not able to put trains in Roma Termini and Milano Centrale which could impact their interest with tourists. It could be an interesting summer on the trains in Italy and it appears the big winner may be the consumer. Hooray for us!
It will be very difficult for NVT to compete with the MINI ticket prices. They are also not able to put trains in Roma Termini and Milano Centrale which could impact their interest with tourists. It could be an interesting summer on the trains in Italy and it appears the big winner may be the consumer. Hooray for us!
