Hello, we are considering buying point to point tickets while we are there in Italy and was wondering if there's a cost difference between the express ES trains and the other IC trains? Also, are you able to puchase a seat assigned seat on the ticket kyosks? Thanks!

Eurostar Italia (ES) trains charge a supplement over IC trains. If you have an IC ticket you can use it on ES trains by paying a surcharge, but do this before boarding the train as it may cost more on the train - a penalty fare. ES trains require reservations before boarding; in my experience these reservation-supplements above the normal ticket price and for railpass holders are not transferable - we missed out connection in Rome and got on the next ES train without time to go get the new reservation/supplement and were penalized on the train so had to pay about double the normal - which varies as to distance, but about $7-12 in second class, more in 1st class; in 1st class you get a tiny coffee and pastry and Italian newspaper.

ES tickets usually cost more than IC tickets, although in many cases the extra cost can be justified by the faster and more reliable service. On some routes (e.g. Milan to Venice) the cost is nearly identical (which means that ES actually costs less than RESERVED IC).

Italian Railways states that the actual price of an ES ticket is market-driven and not necessarily dependant on distance. By contrast, the cost of an IC ticket (and all local train tickets) is strictly dependant on distance (you can consult a table which shows the cost increase as the distance increases).

You cannot use an IC ticket on an ES train, but instead must exchange the ticket at the ticket counter before boarding the ES train. I don't believe that there is a problem doing the reverse (travelling on an IC train with an ES ticket).

An ES ticket automatically gives you a reserved seat. An IC ticket does not, unless you specifically request a reserved seat and pay a 3 Euro supplement. This is worthwhile on certain routes during peak travel periods.

You can purchase a reserved seat (or an unreserved seat) at the automated ticket machines located at major stations. You can even pay by credit card on some machines (as well as at most ticket counters).

There is no smoking allowed on ES trains. On most IC trains, there is one dedicated railcar for smokers in each class of service. Smoking on IC trains is scheduled to be banned in 2005.

On short distance runs, you might be just as well off taking a local train (diretto, regionale, interregionale) rather than an ES or IC. You'll save money and travel time will be almost the same. Examples are Verona to Venice, Padova to Venice, Padova to Verona, Verona to Milan, Milan to Genova, Milan to Turin.

ES tickets usually cost more than IC tickets, although in many cases the extra cost can be justified by the faster and more reliable service. On some routes (e.g. Milan to Venice) the cost is nearly identical (which means that ES actually costs less than RESERVED IC).

Italian Railways states that the actual price of an ES ticket is market-driven and not necessarily dependant on distance. By contrast, the cost of an IC ticket (and all local train tickets) is strictly dependant on distance (you can consult a table which shows the cost increase as the distance increases).

You cannot use an IC ticket on an ES train, but instead must exchange the ticket at the ticket counter before boarding the ES train. I don't believe that there is a problem doing the reverse (travelling on an IC train with an ES ticket).

An ES ticket automatically gives you a reserved seat. An IC ticket does not, unless you specifically request a reserved seat and pay a 3 Euro supplement. This is worthwhile on certain routes during peak travel periods.

You can purchase a reserved seat (or an unreserved seat) at the automated ticket machines located at major stations. You can even pay by credit card on some machines (as well as at most ticket counters).

There is no smoking allowed on ES trains. On most IC trains, there is one dedicated railcar for smokers in each class of service. Smoking on IC trains is scheduled to be banned in 2005.

On short distance runs, you might be just as well off taking a local train (diretto, regionale, interregionale) rather than an ES or IC. You'll save money, and travel time will be almost the same. Examples are Verona to Venice, Padova to Venice, Padova to Verona, Verona to Milan, Milan to Genova, Milan to Turin.

ES tickets usually cost more than IC tickets, although in many cases the extra cost can be justified by the faster and more reliable service. On some routes (e.g. Milan to Venice) the cost is nearly identical (which means that ES actually costs less than RESERVED IC).

Italian Railways states that the actual price of an ES ticket is market-driven and not necessarily dependent on distance. By contrast, the cost of an IC ticket (and all local train tickets) is strictly dependent on distance (you can consult a table which shows the cost increase as the distance increases).

You cannot use an IC ticket on an ES train, but instead must exchange the ticket at the ticket counter before boarding the ES train. I don't believe that there is a problem doing the reverse (travelling on an IC train with an ES ticket).

An ES ticket automatically gives you a reserved seat. An IC ticket does not, unless you specifically request a reserved seat and pay a 3 Euro supplement. This is worthwhile on certain routes during peak travel periods.

You can purchase a reserved seat (or an unreserved seat) at the automated ticket machines located at major stations. You can even pay by credit card on some machines (as well as at most ticket counters).

There is no smoking allowed on ES trains. On most IC trains, there is one dedicated railcar for smokers in each class of service. Smoking on IC trains is scheduled to be banned in 2005.

On short distance runs, you might be just as well off taking a local train (diretto, regionale, interregionale) rather than an ES or IC. You'll save money, and travel time will be almost the same. Examples are Verona to Venice, Padova to Venice, Padova to Verona, Verona to Milan, Milan to Genova, Milan to Turin.

Hi sf,

You can find ticket prices at www.trenitalia.com/en.

Click on the number of the train you want.

ES* is usually about 50% more than IC.

thanks so much for your response. it's very helpful. i think what we'll end up doing is buying tickets point to point rather than getting a trenitalia pass (priced it out and saves us a few bucks) and then at the ticket window just pay for the reserved seat - or actually just go to the kyosks and purchase it there.