I do not understand if I need a reservation or not for 2nd class Eurostar. If I buy this ticket, do I automatically have a seat? Do I have to by a ticket and then a reservation separately? Very confused.
Thanks.

Was unaware that Eurostar operated in Italy

Yes, Blightyboy, there are Eurostar trains in Italy.

Lauriemichelle, you don't need a seat reservation for 2nd class on Eurostar trains in Italy. You can sit wherever you like in any of the 2nd class carriages. You don't need to purchase your tickets before you leave home. You can buy them all at the main train station in your first destination city (or at a travel agency or American Express office). Or buy them as you go.

In a few large cities there are automatic ticket purchase machines that are very easy to use (in English). They take cash and credit cards. These machines are also installed in some small train stations where there is no on-site personnel.

The only really important thing is to validate your ticket before you get on the train. Look for the yellow machines at the ends of the platforms (binarios).

That certainly is NOT our experience. We have found that 1st and 2nd class both are reserved when you buy a ticket, it's automatic. We've traveled in both classes and don't really see the advantage of 1st class.

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The premium trains between major Italian cities are called Eurostar Italia. It has nothing to do with the Eurostar service that goes through the Channel Tunnel.

All Eurostar Italia trains are reservations only. Including 2nd class.

ES trains are reserved seats only, it doesn't matter which class you are buying and you certainly can't sit wherever. You can only sit in the seat on your ticket. I'm not sure why 2 posters today have said otherwise.

People sometimes get confused because the companies that sell tickets in the US at a markup (RailEurope, etc.)or passes don't include the seat reservation and you have to pay extra to them to reserve. It's a way they make more money. If you purchase from Trenitalia, any ES ticket (1st or 2nd) the seat will be included as they are mandatory and there won't be an extra fee. You cannot travel on an ES train without a reserved seat.

What company are you trying to buy from? You should either use Trenitalia or just wait until you get to Italy.

Hi L,

All ES* and AV trains are reserved seat - 1 and 2 cl.

Buy your tickets in Italy or online at http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

>you certainly can't sit wherever. You can only sit in the seat on your ticket.

If other seats are vacant and not reserved for the current part of the trip, you certainly can sit in them if you like. But you have to reserve _a_ seat with your ticket indeed.

According to the trenitalia web site, Eurostar tickets are always sold with a seat reservation. If you board a Eurostar train without a reservation, you will be charged an additional 25 euros.
If a Eurostar train is more than 25 minutes late, you can get a 50% refund and this also apparently applies if the air conditioning is not working.

<Was unaware that Eurostar operated in Italy>

my understanding: the name Eurostar was trademarked by Fiat makers of the high-speed ETR Italian trains named Eurostar Italia... and the name was also licenses to Eurostar trains running thru the Chunnel (ugh!!!!) i mean Channel Tunnel.

Well, Lauriemichelle, I apologize for the incorrect information in my post. I have obviously spent too much recent time on intercity and regional trains. I set my punishment at several rides on Italian Eurostar trains in second class.

I've travelled first and second class on ES in Italy. The tickets were reserved and definitely designated seating. We had some fellow passengers in the 'wrong' seats next to us and they were told to move to the correct seats by the conductor.

how far in advance can you purchase tickets online on trenitalia.com? I tried purchasing tickets for beginning of September but were not available.

Yes to reserved seats in second class on Italian Eurostar! All seats are reserved. You can look at the train diagram on the platform to find the location of your carriage number so you know where to be standing when the train arrives.

Hi Clau,

60 days in advance.

Last month we took the train from Florence to Como.
Our friend who purchased her ticket in advance from an agency paid more than double the price of our ticket.
The worst part was, she was told that she must change in Milan.
We purchased our tickets at the station in Florence.
1st class was either 35 or 40E reserved seats, directly to Como.
Couldn't believe her travel agents markup.

just on trenitalia web site inquiring about Euro Star tickets Rome to Florence and it looks like there was no option to purchase. It is an October date I'm inquiring about. Does anyone have any additional info on this?

60 days max

Thanks for your reply. Is this the best way to go -- purchasing in advance from trenitalia direct or can I just wait until I get to Rome and purchase then?

Just returned from Italy. I had purchased tickets for certain runs for our group from trenitalia.com before we left. Once for a strike day and another for a very specific run. It was a blessing for sure. On local and short inter-regionals I just used self-service machines. They are easy and take only a few minutes, if you aren't there with massive crowds and little time.