Girding my Loins for Trenitalia Website :-)
Jan 12th, 2013, 11:37 AM
#21
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Interesting day today getting tickets...
The site was unbelievably slow -- had to restart several times. Then it crashed my Firefox.
Finally I got to pick my tickets and seats...then I got a server error right after I entered my credit card info. I was really worried...no email confirmation and nothing going on on my screen. Then, about five minutes later the success screen came up and the email came -- both with my PNR code. Whew!!!
The whole thing took almost an hour.
One more ticket to buy tomorrow...hopefully with less stress.
(Just thought I'd keep you-all in the loop by sharing the suffering.)
SS
The site was unbelievably slow -- had to restart several times. Then it crashed my Firefox.
Finally I got to pick my tickets and seats...then I got a server error right after I entered my credit card info. I was really worried...no email confirmation and nothing going on on my screen. Then, about five minutes later the success screen came up and the email came -- both with my PNR code. Whew!!!
The whole thing took almost an hour.
One more ticket to buy tomorrow...hopefully with less stress.
(Just thought I'd keep you-all in the loop by sharing the suffering.)
SS
Jan 12th, 2013, 12:20 PM
#22
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Always interested to hear of the travails of others! Altho I sailed thru my Trenitalia bookings, the ones on Rail Europe were a royal pain. I did not know---having not gone to Europe for 8 years when I was making the arrangements for our trip this past fall---that Rail Europe is not the best site to use.
I was wondering why my tickets purchased thru them were so much more expensive than my Trenitalia ones and I now know that they charge more.
I was wondering why my tickets purchased thru them were so much more expensive than my Trenitalia ones and I now know that they charge more.
Jan 12th, 2013, 03:51 PM
#23
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socialworker...
I'm hoping that tomorrow's purchase (my final one) will be like my first one two days ago when I sailed through in about 5 minutes. You never know why weird stuff happens online...I guess they were having there own server issues this afternoon.
SS
I'm hoping that tomorrow's purchase (my final one) will be like my first one two days ago when I sailed through in about 5 minutes. You never know why weird stuff happens online...I guess they were having there own server issues this afternoon.
SS
Jan 12th, 2013, 05:29 PM
#24
When picking seats on the AV/ES trains, I avoid both ends of cars. You are either near luggage racks or restrooms (can be a bit smelly). Often, the last row or two don't have tables that flip open. They have drop down trays (like airplanes).
Jan 13th, 2013, 04:58 AM
#25
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Final Update: Sailed through this morning in 5 minutes.
Interesting point: There were 9 EUR first class seats on an earlier train -- but I did not want to leave Padova that early.
Thanks for all the help, one and all.
SS
Interesting point: There were 9 EUR first class seats on an earlier train -- but I did not want to leave Padova that early.
Thanks for all the help, one and all.
SS
Jan 13th, 2013, 07:13 AM
#26
If you haven't booked your Venice/Vienna night train tickets yet, there are discounts for those on Trenitalia also. You want the Smart Fare. If not available, check to see if thhe Smart 2 fare is available. They may only be bookable 90 days out. You will have to collect these tickets at a self-service kiosk in Italy (Venice, Verona and Vicenza have these kiosks).
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...3f16f90aRCRD#5
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...3f16f90aRCRD#5
Jan 13th, 2013, 01:06 PM
#27
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Thanks, kyb...but I already booked them with RailEurope. I had a hard time understanding the different types of overnight compartments on Trenitalia's site, and RailEurope seemed to match the fare that I saw...plus they were able to book it earlier than 90 days.
I may have paid a little extra...but the night-train was something I wanted to nail down correctly as soon as possible.
...but thanks for the tip, anyway. You've been a great help...(but, of course, I've come to expect that here).
SS
I may have paid a little extra...but the night-train was something I wanted to nail down correctly as soon as possible.
...but thanks for the tip, anyway. You've been a great help...(but, of course, I've come to expect that here).
SS
Jan 30th, 2013, 09:43 AM
#28
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I'm glad I found this thread - great discussion. I have two questions that I'm hoping someone can answer.
First, does anyone know how Trenitalia calculates the 120 day mark for making tickets available. e.g. is it midnight local time in Italy 120 days prior? I'd trying to find out what time I can actually buy tickets locally in the U.S.
Second, can someone confirm that I cannot buy Trenitalia tickets for trips originating outside Italy? For example, Zeurch hb to Milano Centrale. If I do this type of ticket, I get hung up on step 2, Fares and preferences, as the only choices are to pick up the ticket at Italian train stations or home delivery, the latter of which I don't believe is an option for those residing in the U.S. If I select an intra Italy route, it skips this and essentially goes right to the payment screen. Occasionally, I'll see a mixture of the two for different departure times in the results for the same route and date. This has me confused. For example, the 11:09 I go to the payment screen, while the 13:09 takes me to the step 2 that I cannot get past.
First, does anyone know how Trenitalia calculates the 120 day mark for making tickets available. e.g. is it midnight local time in Italy 120 days prior? I'd trying to find out what time I can actually buy tickets locally in the U.S.
Second, can someone confirm that I cannot buy Trenitalia tickets for trips originating outside Italy? For example, Zeurch hb to Milano Centrale. If I do this type of ticket, I get hung up on step 2, Fares and preferences, as the only choices are to pick up the ticket at Italian train stations or home delivery, the latter of which I don't believe is an option for those residing in the U.S. If I select an intra Italy route, it skips this and essentially goes right to the payment screen. Occasionally, I'll see a mixture of the two for different departure times in the results for the same route and date. This has me confused. For example, the 11:09 I go to the payment screen, while the 13:09 takes me to the step 2 that I cannot get past.
Jan 30th, 2013, 10:11 AM
#29
have you tried using the what i think is far friendlier www.lefrecce.it site?
Jan 30th, 2013, 01:00 PM
#31
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Trenitalia again!!!!
I had booked two train journies with no plans for more
but then i bought a cheap flight from Palermo back to
Rome.
So to get to East coast port of Ancona i had to buy a
third and for the third time a 9 euro ticket
Adding the travel time of the three -15hrs
Adding the cost of the three 27 euro
I,m pleased!!!!
I had booked two train journies with no plans for more
but then i bought a cheap flight from Palermo back to
Rome.
So to get to East coast port of Ancona i had to buy a
third and for the third time a 9 euro ticket
Adding the travel time of the three -15hrs
Adding the cost of the three 27 euro
I,m pleased!!!!
Jan 30th, 2013, 01:59 PM
#33
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stevelion...
It is available at the TIME of the departure. So a 5:00 pm train will appear on the list at 11:00 am east coast time.
The way to check is do a test 119 or 120 days from now and see what shows up...you'll see only some of the days trains available. Then try it later in the day...more will appear.
I booked my May 12 13:44 train as soon as it appeared, on January 13 at 7:45 in the morning (east coast - 6 hours time difference). BUT - that seems to actually be 119 days...so start looking a day earlier than 120 days out. They may use months somehow in their calculation.
SS
It is available at the TIME of the departure. So a 5:00 pm train will appear on the list at 11:00 am east coast time.
The way to check is do a test 119 or 120 days from now and see what shows up...you'll see only some of the days trains available. Then try it later in the day...more will appear.
I booked my May 12 13:44 train as soon as it appeared, on January 13 at 7:45 in the morning (east coast - 6 hours time difference). BUT - that seems to actually be 119 days...so start looking a day earlier than 120 days out. They may use months somehow in their calculation.
SS
Jan 30th, 2013, 02:07 PM
#34
Lefrecce is Trenitalia - same website.
stevelion - Trenitalia usually has tickets 120 days Italian time. Problems pop up if you are trying to book a different season and those fares are randomly loaded. Winter fares are from the 2nd weekend of Dec through the 2nd weekend in June. If you are trying to book in the spring for summer, the schedules might not be loaded. Some summer fares can get loaded as late as the first week of June. You have to keep checking.
>>Second, can someone confirm that I cannot buy Trenitalia tickets for trips originating outside Italy? For example, Zeurch hb to Milano Centrale.
stevelion - Trenitalia usually has tickets 120 days Italian time. Problems pop up if you are trying to book a different season and those fares are randomly loaded. Winter fares are from the 2nd weekend of Dec through the 2nd weekend in June. If you are trying to book in the spring for summer, the schedules might not be loaded. Some summer fares can get loaded as late as the first week of June. You have to keep checking.
>>Second, can someone confirm that I cannot buy Trenitalia tickets for trips originating outside Italy? For example, Zeurch hb to Milano Centrale.
Jan 30th, 2013, 02:14 PM
#35
It seems the Saver fare on the Swiss website is available 120 days out.
****With a European supersaver ticket, you can travel from a station where you board the EuroCity in Switzerland to Italy and in the reverse direction. Supersaver tickets are available for a single journey. With a supersaver ticket you may only board the selected train, and if you do not catch this train it becomes invalid. European supersaver tickets are available for 2nd class and are limited in number.
Conditions.
The number of places is limited.
Advance purchase from 120 to 14 days before departure.
No further reductions (not even for the Half-Fare travelcard, GA travelcard and children).
No exchange, no refund
Reductions.
Reduced ticket for a single journey in 2nd class.
Reservations and supplements.
Obligatory seat reservation and supplements are included.****
****With a European supersaver ticket, you can travel from a station where you board the EuroCity in Switzerland to Italy and in the reverse direction. Supersaver tickets are available for a single journey. With a supersaver ticket you may only board the selected train, and if you do not catch this train it becomes invalid. European supersaver tickets are available for 2nd class and are limited in number.
Conditions.
The number of places is limited.
Advance purchase from 120 to 14 days before departure.
No further reductions (not even for the Half-Fare travelcard, GA travelcard and children).
No exchange, no refund
Reductions.
Reduced ticket for a single journey in 2nd class.
Reservations and supplements.
Obligatory seat reservation and supplements are included.****
Feb 3rd, 2013, 10:01 AM
#38
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I got up this morning at 3:23am my time which gave me 2 minutes to start the laptop and search for a 9:25am train from Venice to Rome. I was able to score 3 super saver tickets with no trouble. I had to go second class, because first class did not have inventory at he super saver rate, but that's OK. Thanks again for the advice!
Feb 4th, 2013, 10:42 AM
#39
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.... Now if I could only get the website to allow me to log in!!!
It keeps telling me that my UserID or my password is "invalid"
When I clicked on the button to get a reminder email with my info, I got a prompt email .....informing me that my UserID and password are indeed those I have been attempting to log in with.
Create a new account using a different UserID?
No way: "That email address is already in use."
You can picture my frustration. I'd really prefer to get these tkts (Mid-March: Rome to Bologna, Bologna to Florence, Florence to Milan) before leaving home.
It keeps telling me that my UserID or my password is "invalid"
When I clicked on the button to get a reminder email with my info, I got a prompt email .....informing me that my UserID and password are indeed those I have been attempting to log in with.
Create a new account using a different UserID?
No way: "That email address is already in use."
You can picture my frustration. I'd really prefer to get these tkts (Mid-March: Rome to Bologna, Bologna to Florence, Florence to Milan) before leaving home.
Feb 4th, 2013, 03:18 PM
#40
Sometimes it's just a temporary glitch on Trenitalia. Wait 24 hours and try again. Did Trenitalia send you a temporary password when you registered and then you changed it as they instruct?
FYI - You don't have to be registered to make a purchase, but registration lets you retrieve any info (PNR, etc.) if you have problems.
FYI - You don't have to be registered to make a purchase, but registration lets you retrieve any info (PNR, etc.) if you have problems.
