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-   -   Day trip to Venice from Rome (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/day-trip-to-venice-from-rome-431526/)

Sassafrass Sep 11th, 2008 05:06 PM

Bookmarking

Neotraveler6 Sep 11th, 2008 09:07 PM

Hello All,

Still tying to get to Venice *smile*

TravMimi- Thanks for the detail on the site. I tried to book a 2 bed compartment however its not avail so the only opt left are:

1.) Double seat Compartments

I can not find any details on what this is exactly (beds or what), its 165 Euro vs. the 139 Euro for the 2 bed compartment.

2.) Couchettes for four "Comfort"

I am not sure what this is but am I correct in saying that you would be sharing a cabin with people you don't know?

What to do? All help welcome

Kelliebellie (camera ready just need to get there (ha))

Thanks in advance.

russwuf Sep 11th, 2008 10:22 PM

day trip from Rome to Venice?...you are going to be one tired puppy!
I would advise you highly reconsider this madness. You will have wasted 8-10 hours via train that could be spent more wisely someplace else....and/or the hassles of the airport/security/waiting.yada yada..
if you go by plane...not worth it.
Take the advice of others...plan on another visit where you can spend more time to really see Venice and ..not to mention..or did I mention you are going to be one tired puppy?

TravMimi Sep 12th, 2008 04:44 AM

Neo - If it said no cabin available, it could be because you tried to get an amica discounted fare. Those might be sold out. Try again on a standard fare. Don't know the "double seat compartments" on this certain train, but it usually means seats that fold flat, small with no WC. For a couchette, YES you will share (not fun).
You can always try the reverse. Take an early morning train Rome Termini station TO Venice like the 6:50am ES and a night train back (Venice to Rome Tiburtina). If that fails, wait till you get there, and try at the ticket office. Maybe there was a cancellation.

kelliebellie Sep 12th, 2008 05:11 AM

Have you thought about renting a car? I would never try to drive in Rome, but I would think the countryside would be okay. Has anyone made this drive?

I see it is about a 5.5 hour drive. I checked AutoEurope's United Kingdom site and you can get a tiny little car for less than $100 for a day. Plus you can pick it up and drop it off at about a zillion spots in Rome. Maybe there is one near your hotel? This way would give you the most freedom in times and locations.

Why can't you spend more time in Venice? Will it just be you doing this or you and a companion? If anyone else is going then driving would definitely be the most economical.

GeoffHamer Sep 12th, 2008 07:34 AM

The Italian terminology of sleeping compartments is confusing. There is no such thing as a compartment with two seats. A "double-seat" compartment is a two-berth sleeping compartment. If you can get one, book it.
Spending a night on a train is the only sane and sensible way of getting between Roma and Venezia if time is short.

Neotraveler6 Sep 12th, 2008 09:37 AM

Sorry to beat a dead horse...

Thank you TravMimi, standar fare was not avail either. Will look into your other opt.

GeoffHamer

Thanks. Ok so what is the difference between a "2 bed compartment" and a "double seat compartment".

Oh and forgive me but what does WC stand for ?

Thanks in advance

Neotraveler6 Sep 12th, 2008 09:41 AM

kelliebellie- In a word I am Afraid to drive...going with one other person and rust me they of no help...I give them direction in our own city...train or bust really.

kelliebellie Sep 12th, 2008 10:14 AM

I understand!

I believe WC is water closet, or bathroom.

TravMimi Sep 12th, 2008 10:14 AM

WC water closet, "bathroom"
Double seat usually means the bed folds down into a real seat. People use those for long distance day/night trips. It still is a cabin/compartment with beds. Even trenitalia can't figure out how to explain the different accomodations and terms. It might or might not have a tiny ensuite WC difficult to tell.

Neotraveler6 Sep 12th, 2008 12:21 PM

Thank you for being so patient. I just don't want any surprises.

Well I want to assume that the "Double seat compartment" has all the bells and whistles since it is 165 Euro compared to the "2 bed compartment" that is 139 Euro (but not avail). I would hope that if its more money it comes with more perks even if its a glass of wine (ha)

For that much difference in price I wish I knew the difference.

Do you all think it come with more since its priced more?

Thanks in advance.

TravMimi Sep 12th, 2008 12:43 PM

http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm
Scroll down on this site to get a bit of an idea about the accomodations. I believe it costs more because it converts to a very nice seat for the daytime part of the trip. Probably a little table too. This certain train "might" also have a WC in their seat/sleep compartments, but I didn't see it refered to as excelsior. It's a bit of a gamble on the exact features, but either way you do get private beds in a safe private room.

GeoffHamer Sep 12th, 2008 01:18 PM

I'm not certain, but I think the cheaper two-berth compartment is a T2 which is compact two-berth compartment; the more expensive version is a T3 compartment (a three-berth compartment) configured for two - ie one bunk is folded away, so that you get a more spacious two-berth compartment.

Neotraveler6 Sep 13th, 2008 09:21 AM

Hello All,

Great website TravMimi, very helpful. Glad to know that I am not the only one confused (ha)

G-Hamer Thanks

Ok I know you are routing for me to get to Venice (the impossible trip (ha)) and now that I have all the info I need I go to the site and.....it won't take my card. Its not my credit card company as I have contacted them a month ago as well as a fee days before booking any international purchases.

Should I call trenitalia? as I do not see an email for such problems only one for complaints and suggestions (as listed on their website).

I did try Eurorail however they did not offer any night trains. I tried a couple of other locations as well and same thing. I think I have to use trenitalia.

Almost there.

Thanks in advance

TravMimi Sep 13th, 2008 10:26 AM

Neo - I had a feeling that would happen. This is where the "threads on trenitalia website" comes in. You are not alone. I call it the Rubiks Cube of internet buying, seeing that only the perfect combination seems to work.

Get your computer right: Don't use AOL ANYTHING - Clear your cache - use 4.0 browser or higher - enable cookies and popups - lower security level.

Credit Card: Don't use American Express - Don't try more than 2 credit cards - Cards with no middle initial work best -Tell your credit card co. - Virtual numbers work best - Cards that use a security system that brings up a popup like "verified by VISA" are needed.

Trenitalia site: sign in - clear your shopping cart - NEVER use your browser's back button, if you make a mistake, clear cart, sign out and sign back in. Try 5 or 6 time - if it doesn't work set up a new account with a different email address and use different credit cards.

The problem is not with trenitalia. The problem is with Banc San Paolo, as they handle the entire credit card transaction.

One tiny mess up makes the system go PAZZO! If I think of anything else I'll post it. Good luck, I really want you to get to Venice.

Neotraveler6 Sep 16th, 2008 12:50 PM

Hello All,

Thank you for riding the "how in the world do I book train tickets on Trenitalia" I have tired everything and now am going to brake down and call (I know I know)...

TravMimi-Even the vitural credit card did not work (ugh)...

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

Neo


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