ssander

Hi, Fodorites:

This week is the opening time for purchasing my May tickets.

I know to notify my credit card company in advance. I see they have an English site which I have investigated.

Are there any other tips that will increase the chances of getting this done without having to resort to RailEurope (I want those 9 EUR tickets)?

FYI:

09-May VENICE-VERONA
10-May VERONA-PADOVA
11-May PADOVA-VICENZA/VICENZA-PADOVA DAY TRIP
12-May PADOVA-VENICE early evening
12-May VENICE-VIENNA (sleeper)


NOTE: Way back in 2004 I was able to use my card on the site -- in Italian, no less -- so I am hopeful that things will be even easier this time, but I had no success recently with Spain's RENFE site, so I am wary.

Thanks.
SS

Springermad

I recently bought tickets with my visa debit using the Trenitalia website with no problems at all.

The only problem I had was that there were no 9 Euro tickets, except if we wanted to travel in the early hours of the morning. so I hope you have better luck.

jent103

I had a similar experience - no issues at all. From what I've read here, Trenitalia used to be a pain to deal with, but I gather they've improved things over the last couple of years.

Good luck!

fossil41

i also used Trenitalia and got Roma to Napoli 7.39am and arr
9.43 for euro 9--next train left at aprox 8.40 arriving 9.40
for euro 23
Napoli to Catania leaving 9.55am and into Catania 17.05 also
euro 9
site was easy and only thing was it wouldnt let you make a
booking over 4 months out
i,m happy two trips for $23 australian

PalenQ

If you have any problems there are some Fodorites who are real experts at getting the at times balking trenitalia.com site to work. kybourbon is one such expert (not the only one) who has proven tireless with knowing the ins and outs of the site and helping folks if they have problems (not unusual) - so if problems help awaits from that very helpful Fodorite who has saved many folks lots of euros in the past when problems popped up.

willowjane

bookmarking. Is it a set number of days before travel you can book, or do you just have to keep looking. I will be traveling June 1st from Florence to Rome. I am trying to get up with all the great suggestions and advice on the prices and trains. It is a little intimidating.

fossil41

My Rome departure to Naples was
March 30th 2013 so Trenitalia system
let me book no earlier than Dec 1st 2012
I then tried to book my Naples to Catania
leaving Naples 3 days later (April 2nd)
but it would not allow so on Dec 4th 2012
I booked that--not a problem really
as both fares paid on CCard
I did not notice a bookmark but also
was not looking for it. I was happy with
the way it went

martha1953

You can pay by PAYPAL as well. I have booked all my tickets for next April/May without a hitch.

fossil41

Yep pretty painless really & nine euro
pretty good
I would have no hesitation using them
again!!!!

kybourbon

>>>Is it a set number of days before travel you can book<<<

120 for the faster trains. Summer schedules which start the 2nd week of June won't be posted until close to that time. If you want to snag summer/fall discounts, you have to keep checking at 120 days out as Trenitalia randomly loads the fares.

>>>Are there any other tips that will increase the chances of getting this done without having to resort to RailEurope (I want those 9 EUR tickets)?<<<

Register on Trenitalia first so you can access your ticket info if needed. Scroll down this thread until you reach the step-by-step registration instructions with pictures. There may be a bit of change on Trenitalia as they just updated their website and some screen shots may look a little different.

http://www.roninrome.com/transportat...ebsite-updated

fossil41

I did a test --tried to book more than 120 days before my
intended departure to find no booking allowed/no price
then i went back to start of procedure & pumped in dates
inside the 120 day and hey presto booking allowed and a
range of fare/classes From memory the bottom one Economy
was euro 9 then next up list euro 23 i think but euro 9
had my attention.
Just try say 110 days from your needed departure to see &
familiarize yourself with site

ssander

Another questions:

Does Trenitalia allow for print-at-home (PDF) tickets?

Thanks.
SS

kybourbon

ssander - Read the link I posted Jan.8. It tells all about ticketing.

socialworker

I bought some in the late summer and I had no problem w/the site and was able to print my tkts at home.

ssander

Update Everyone:

Successfully bought the first pair of tickets (Venice to Verona)!!!

Kybourbon...a special thanks to you for that really helpful link.

Everything went incredibly smoothly - the whole process took about 5 minutes. No credit card issues (I gave them a heads-up earlier today), and I got the 9 EUR fare and my pick of seats on the Frecciabianca.

(Of course I did a trial run earlier today before the tickets were available.)

One set down...four more to go!

SS

PalenQ

Fodorites like kybourbon once again to the rescue! And at 9 euros a ticket even I would be riding in 2nd class! Even with a first-class railpass I'd have to pay 10 euros for the mandatory seat reservation plus burn a day on my pass!

kybourbon

Perhaps she got a 1st class ticket for 9€?

ssander

The 9€ first class tickets seem to be sold out (so far on the tickets I have bought), even though I'm going online very soon after the trains become available -- however, since these are all very short trips, I'm fine with that.

SS

PalenQ

I did not know they had 9 euro tickets in first class - heck the complimentary newspaper, snack and drink may cost about that! And if first class it would be one euro cheaper than my 10 euro seat reservation fee on my pass - but of course I'd have to book far in advance but I guess if i did want to change plans I'd only be out 9 euros!

kybourbon

It happens so it pays to check. Usually if you see 9€ 2nd class, the 1st class fare is 19€, but not always. For example, a random date in March for the fast AV train between Verona/Padova:

Verona Porta Nuova
08:59 Padova
09:42 00:43
FRECCIABIANCA 9707
Price starting from 9. 00 €
Seleziona Price / Service level
2ª CLASSE 1ª CLASSE
BASE Image 17. 50 € 27. 00 €
ECONOMY Image 9. 00 € 18. 00 €
SUPER ECONOMY Image 9. 00 € 9. 00 €