Italy Experts - Please help with Trenitalia Problem
Nov 28th, 2005, 04:56 PM
#21
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I apologize in advance for hijacking Flame's question, but since mine also concerns Trenitalia to Florence, here goes:
When I try to book online and get to the available trains at the time and the date I need them, it says "No" in the "Buy" column, indicating this date (Feb'06) is not available for purchase online. Is this simply because it is too early? I am purchasing in advance because I need 9 tickets and we all want to travel together. Thanks for any and all helpful responses!
When I try to book online and get to the available trains at the time and the date I need them, it says "No" in the "Buy" column, indicating this date (Feb'06) is not available for purchase online. Is this simply because it is too early? I am purchasing in advance because I need 9 tickets and we all want to travel together. Thanks for any and all helpful responses!
Nov 28th, 2005, 05:26 PM
#22
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Flame123
Your situation is a bit complicated, and I am trying to work out what I would do in your shoes.
I hate booking trains ahead for the morning of my arrival in Italy. What if your plane is a few hours late? What, if as happened to us last February, you are over 7 hours late?
Then, you are mostly out of luck with the prearranged tickets. Since you have to let Trenitalia know before the train departs that you will miss it, this gets sticky. We were stuck in airports in Philadelphia and rerouted through Amsterdam. I would not have wanted to try to reach Trenitalia by phone, especially with my slow and limited Italian language skills.
Ok, so you get to the train station at Fiumicino. You ask for the next available ES to Firenze that you can reasonably connect with (I take schedule printouts with me) and, as has happened to me, it is sold out. Simply then ask for First Class, which is seldom sold out.
BUT, you are thinking of taking a car service or shuttle from the airport to Termini. So, what happens when you get to Termini? You don't want to stand in those lines, which are as horrendous as reported.
I suggest having your schedule printouts handy, your credit card ready, and some good instructions from practiced travelers who have used the machines in Termini to buy tickets. I have been stymied by the ticket machines in Italian stations once, but generally have figured them out.
Find out where they (the ticket machines) are, how to understand if second class is sold out, and how to then switch to a request for first class. Know your desired train numbers and times. That should help make it easier.
Your situation is a bit complicated, and I am trying to work out what I would do in your shoes.
I hate booking trains ahead for the morning of my arrival in Italy. What if your plane is a few hours late? What, if as happened to us last February, you are over 7 hours late?
Then, you are mostly out of luck with the prearranged tickets. Since you have to let Trenitalia know before the train departs that you will miss it, this gets sticky. We were stuck in airports in Philadelphia and rerouted through Amsterdam. I would not have wanted to try to reach Trenitalia by phone, especially with my slow and limited Italian language skills.
Ok, so you get to the train station at Fiumicino. You ask for the next available ES to Firenze that you can reasonably connect with (I take schedule printouts with me) and, as has happened to me, it is sold out. Simply then ask for First Class, which is seldom sold out.
BUT, you are thinking of taking a car service or shuttle from the airport to Termini. So, what happens when you get to Termini? You don't want to stand in those lines, which are as horrendous as reported.
I suggest having your schedule printouts handy, your credit card ready, and some good instructions from practiced travelers who have used the machines in Termini to buy tickets. I have been stymied by the ticket machines in Italian stations once, but generally have figured them out.
Find out where they (the ticket machines) are, how to understand if second class is sold out, and how to then switch to a request for first class. Know your desired train numbers and times. That should help make it easier.
Nov 29th, 2005, 05:16 AM
#23
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Hi there!
OK here it is.
Eurostar tickets are for the most direct and fastest trains between locations. You must have a reservation for these trains. You may or may not be able to purchase these tickets over the internet. There are tons of trains between Rome and Florence. Don't worry about pre-buying the ticket. Ticketless options refer to purchasing a ticket online, and then getting a reservation number, boarding the train, and then talking to the conductor to confirm that you have your ticket. Not really worth it.
Sometimes, Trenitalia will not let you buy your tickets over the internet. Bottom line -- don't worry, just get to the station and buy your ticket. This is the most flexible way for you to travel, as if you are late or delayed, you don't have to worry about exchanging your ticket. IN SHORT, BUY YOUR TICKET ON ARRIVAL.
2. You will arrive at the Airport. There is a direct train that takes you to the main train station (Roma Termini) and it is very inexpensive. This train arrives at the very last track of the station in Rome. It is quite a hike to get to the rest of the trains that depart from Rome, but it can be done (about a 15 minute walk). There are plenty of places to rest on the way. There are also underground moving sidewalks, but getting up and down the stairs to access them is a bit tricky.
3. The airport is quite a ways out of Rome, so expect to pay quite a bit for a cab. The train is cheaper. The cab is more convenient. If walking is a definite problem then the cab would be worth the money. They will take you right to the train station. From there you can book a ticket to Florence.
4. 1st class is a bit roomier, but in my opinion is not worth the money. The service in 1st class just isn't, and the seats are only marginally wider. Remember too that the train backs into and out of both stations, so while you may get on the train in 1st class in the car nearest the start of the platform, you very well might exit furthest away from the platform in Firenze. This ALWAYS seems to happen to me!!!! So, second class is just as good as 1st class in my humble opinion.
IN SHORT, either catch the train to Roma Termini or catch a cab (depending on your mother's abilities), buy a 2nd class ticket on site, get on the train, and enjoy the trip!!!
Hope you have a great time...
OK here it is.
Eurostar tickets are for the most direct and fastest trains between locations. You must have a reservation for these trains. You may or may not be able to purchase these tickets over the internet. There are tons of trains between Rome and Florence. Don't worry about pre-buying the ticket. Ticketless options refer to purchasing a ticket online, and then getting a reservation number, boarding the train, and then talking to the conductor to confirm that you have your ticket. Not really worth it.
Sometimes, Trenitalia will not let you buy your tickets over the internet. Bottom line -- don't worry, just get to the station and buy your ticket. This is the most flexible way for you to travel, as if you are late or delayed, you don't have to worry about exchanging your ticket. IN SHORT, BUY YOUR TICKET ON ARRIVAL.
2. You will arrive at the Airport. There is a direct train that takes you to the main train station (Roma Termini) and it is very inexpensive. This train arrives at the very last track of the station in Rome. It is quite a hike to get to the rest of the trains that depart from Rome, but it can be done (about a 15 minute walk). There are plenty of places to rest on the way. There are also underground moving sidewalks, but getting up and down the stairs to access them is a bit tricky.
3. The airport is quite a ways out of Rome, so expect to pay quite a bit for a cab. The train is cheaper. The cab is more convenient. If walking is a definite problem then the cab would be worth the money. They will take you right to the train station. From there you can book a ticket to Florence.
4. 1st class is a bit roomier, but in my opinion is not worth the money. The service in 1st class just isn't, and the seats are only marginally wider. Remember too that the train backs into and out of both stations, so while you may get on the train in 1st class in the car nearest the start of the platform, you very well might exit furthest away from the platform in Firenze. This ALWAYS seems to happen to me!!!! So, second class is just as good as 1st class in my humble opinion.
IN SHORT, either catch the train to Roma Termini or catch a cab (depending on your mother's abilities), buy a 2nd class ticket on site, get on the train, and enjoy the trip!!!
Hope you have a great time...
Dec 1st, 2005, 08:24 AM
#24
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tuscanlifeedit and freiamaya,
You have both given me wonderful information and tips and I thank you. I will now definitely not buy my tickets in advance, take a limo transfer from the airport to the train station in order not to tax my Mother's walking abilities, and thank you for writing about taking first class if second class is booked. What an ingenious idea!! Never thought of that. And I saw that the difference in price is not a big deal so I will keep all these things in mind.
You have both given me wonderful information and tips and I thank you. I will now definitely not buy my tickets in advance, take a limo transfer from the airport to the train station in order not to tax my Mother's walking abilities, and thank you for writing about taking first class if second class is booked. What an ingenious idea!! Never thought of that. And I saw that the difference in price is not a big deal so I will keep all these things in mind.
Dec 1st, 2005, 09:01 AM
#25
"Ticketless options refer to purchasing a ticket online, and then getting a reservation number, boarding the train, and then talking to the conductor to confirm that you have your ticket. Not really worth it."
Since I just did this, why is it not worth it? All the conductor did was look at my reservation form and print out a receipt. Easy.
I can see the danger of a plane connection and missing your train, but if one knows when they want to go, what is the negative of purchasing via the Trenitalia website?
There was another post by a guy who wanted to go Florence-Venice on 8:29 train, but was shut out.
Also, someone above said that it is a "waste of money" to purchase from the internet. I didn't look, but is the price of a first class ticket purchased at the station less than it was than buying on Trenitalia website?
I liked having the knowledge that we had our tickets (albeit a reservation number) for Florence-Venice in hand, rather than having the chance (slim as it may be) that the train was full.
Interested in your reply. Thanks.
Since I just did this, why is it not worth it? All the conductor did was look at my reservation form and print out a receipt. Easy.
I can see the danger of a plane connection and missing your train, but if one knows when they want to go, what is the negative of purchasing via the Trenitalia website?
There was another post by a guy who wanted to go Florence-Venice on 8:29 train, but was shut out.
Also, someone above said that it is a "waste of money" to purchase from the internet. I didn't look, but is the price of a first class ticket purchased at the station less than it was than buying on Trenitalia website?
I liked having the knowledge that we had our tickets (albeit a reservation number) for Florence-Venice in hand, rather than having the chance (slim as it may be) that the train was full.
Interested in your reply. Thanks.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:01 AM
#26
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Hi there!
Often, for whatever reason, Trenitalia will not sell tickets over the Internet, so not all trains are available this way. This doesn't mean that the train is full -- it just means that you have to buy your ticket onsite. There is no negative to buying your ticket online. If you want to do this, go for it. The prices are the same.
However, sometimes you miss your train, especially if you are arriving by plane. In this case, you have to line up anyways to exchange your ticket for a later train, any your ticket doesn't guarantee you a seat on a later train. So, my suggestion was just for a bit of flexibility, purchase your ticket when you get there. This is solely based on my experience, and I recognize that others may have different experiences.
I have also seen people with ticketless tickets having difficulties with the conductor and sometimes, this can put a damper on one's trip.
Anyways, this is just advice based on my experience!
Often, for whatever reason, Trenitalia will not sell tickets over the Internet, so not all trains are available this way. This doesn't mean that the train is full -- it just means that you have to buy your ticket onsite. There is no negative to buying your ticket online. If you want to do this, go for it. The prices are the same.
However, sometimes you miss your train, especially if you are arriving by plane. In this case, you have to line up anyways to exchange your ticket for a later train, any your ticket doesn't guarantee you a seat on a later train. So, my suggestion was just for a bit of flexibility, purchase your ticket when you get there. This is solely based on my experience, and I recognize that others may have different experiences.
I have also seen people with ticketless tickets having difficulties with the conductor and sometimes, this can put a damper on one's trip.
Anyways, this is just advice based on my experience!
Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:37 AM
#27
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When trenitalia won't sell the ticket over the Internet, it is usually because:
a) The journey involves another country's rail system, either in whole (the journey takes place outside Italy) or in part (as when one crosses a border during the journey.) For example, trenitalia won't sell a Verona-Innsbruck ticket on the internet because the journey is partially within Austria. We had to buy that ticket at the station (or, had we wished to get it in advance at inflated prices, we could have bought from Raileurope). BTW, I'm wondering if the person who felt it was a waste of money to buy in advance used Raileurope, not Trenitalia
b) you are trying to buy too far in advance, such that the ticket prices cannot yet be guaranteed. Depending on the rail system involved, advance purchases may be permitted only from a minimum of 8 to 3 weeks in advance.
c) the site isn't working at the moment you are trying to buy - try again later.
Flame, were I you, I'd take the risk and buy the ticket in advance, but I'd book a train that departed no fewer than 3.5 hours after my plane arrived. (We made good time and arrived - if I remember correctly - at the head of the tracks in about 2.5 hours after our plane got in - the extra hour is useful in the event you need to wait almost the full half hour for the next train in from the airport, etc.)Also, even if your plane is late, you might still have time to change your ticket at the airport rail station to a later train if necessary. I've forgotten the deadline for this - one hour? I'll have to check trenitalia, or maybe someone else remembers.
a) The journey involves another country's rail system, either in whole (the journey takes place outside Italy) or in part (as when one crosses a border during the journey.) For example, trenitalia won't sell a Verona-Innsbruck ticket on the internet because the journey is partially within Austria. We had to buy that ticket at the station (or, had we wished to get it in advance at inflated prices, we could have bought from Raileurope). BTW, I'm wondering if the person who felt it was a waste of money to buy in advance used Raileurope, not Trenitalia
b) you are trying to buy too far in advance, such that the ticket prices cannot yet be guaranteed. Depending on the rail system involved, advance purchases may be permitted only from a minimum of 8 to 3 weeks in advance.
c) the site isn't working at the moment you are trying to buy - try again later.
Flame, were I you, I'd take the risk and buy the ticket in advance, but I'd book a train that departed no fewer than 3.5 hours after my plane arrived. (We made good time and arrived - if I remember correctly - at the head of the tracks in about 2.5 hours after our plane got in - the extra hour is useful in the event you need to wait almost the full half hour for the next train in from the airport, etc.)Also, even if your plane is late, you might still have time to change your ticket at the airport rail station to a later train if necessary. I've forgotten the deadline for this - one hour? I'll have to check trenitalia, or maybe someone else remembers.
