Finally got our schedule sorted out for our italy trip.we will be staying 2 days in venice from the 27th till 29th june and then taking the train out to florence on 29th morning-stay there till 2nd then leave for milan and on 3rd july fly back to London.Have read various views regarding booking train tickets between Venice and Florence and Florence and Milan ahead of time.We thot(me and my husband) we would do it when we reach the cities but am not sure now-is it a good idea to leave it till the end date?Our hotels are reserved in each place so we cannot change the dates.Find the trainitalia website pretty confusing-when they say type of fare wht does it actually mean?As a default it shows intra but there are so many options....any advise would be really appreciated...

On our recent trips to Italy we generally purchased the tickets at the station. This way we were stuck to a predetermined schedule. The only train we booked ahead wass an overnighter from Venice to Naples.

As for type of fare, we usually book 2nd class unless it is a longer trip, then we purchase first class. Hope this helps.

Should have proofread. I meant to say we purchase at the station so we would NOT have to adhere to a predetermined schedule.

The Trenitalia web site is quiky, no doubt about it. But I have always eventually managed to get online tickets.

In your case, what I do, since hotel days are set, is to book online last resort reservations; the last train I will likely to take.

If I decide to leave earlier, I just go to the window (or I think you can also do it at a in city travel agency, although I have not done it) and have the ticket reissued at no cost. So I have BOTH assurance of a way to get to the destination AS WELL As a freedom to change the plan. I do this about 1/2 of the time.

There are vending machines at the stations, but I have never tried to buy Eurostar tickets. Also I don't think you can buy tickets originating from other stations (at least I did not notice any such options.)

I have seen signs at several train station ticket windows indicating they were not accepting credit cards because their machines were down; so beware.

Hi j,

If you know when you want to travel, you can save money buying ahead.

On the pull down menu, where it says 'intera' (full fare) look for 29E ES* fares in 1cl for Venice/Florence and Florence/Milan. You can save a few Euro.

Also, when you buy online you get an email confirmation that is your ticket. No standing in line to buy.

Thank you.Ira when you meant 1st class rt-we are on a budget so what ab 2nd class and what option to chosse?really confused-pl do help..

If I'm reading the Trenitalia site correctly, the Intera fare for ES (EuroStar Italia) trains between Venice and Florence is a little less than E29.

For Florence to Milan I found a TOK train leaving at 08:20 with a price as low as E9 and an ICPlus train leaving at 08:28 with a Liberta de viaggiare (freedom to travel) fare for as low as E15.

Tim has it.

Ira,

Maybe you ( or somebody else) can help.

I'm trying to buy Eurostar tickets from Firenze to Venezia 1st class using the 29 Euros promotion. Regular price for 1st class is 39 Euros and 2nd class is 26 Euros. When I select from the drop down menu the 29 Euros option, it gives me this message:
"Attenzione: l'offerta commerciale non é conveniente per la soluzione selezionata"

What I understand is that they rea telling me the promotion is worse than the regular price. But it's only worse if I want to go 2nd class.

Any idea of how to make it work? Thanks!