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-   -   Italy trains: how to prebook, please? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/italy-trains-how-to-prebook-please-982039/)

dendleju Jun 17th, 2013 01:28 PM

Italy trains: how to prebook, please?
 
2 weeks in Italy in July coming up soon.

Need to book the following since I am told leaving it till we arribe would not be a good plan

But what website is the best and what exactly should I be looking to book (speak no Italian)

We are 2 adults, 1 child aged 12, 1 child aged 10.

We need the following:

July 9 train one way to Sorrento

July 15 train one way from Venice to Florence

We are doing a day trip from Florence to Pisa, but for that I assume we can just turn up at the station and purchase day returns, or not, please?

Thanks so much!
Julie

dendleju Jun 17th, 2013 01:37 PM

July Rome to Sorrento -- sorry

willowjane Jun 17th, 2013 02:10 PM

There is so much good advice here on the boards. Please do a search for Italy Train travel and you should see lots of information. I got great advice from kybourbon! There are step by step instructions that will help you pre-book your tickets. We loved train travel on our trip and had never done the train before. We all commented that we would never travel any other way if we had a choice!

kybourbon Jun 17th, 2013 05:45 PM

>>>Rome to Sorrento<<<

You can book Rome/Naples on Trenitalia. There might still be some discounts for the fast trains. It may be cheaper to book those than choosing a family discount. I would price it both ways (enter four adults and see if it's cheaper).

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD

Naples/Sorrento is a local commuter train Circumvesuviana. Can't buy in advance. You catch it downstairs in the Naples trains station and buy the ticket there (4€). Departs every 30 minutes.

Venice/Florence - Trenitalia (see discount info for Rome/Naples).

2nd class on the fast trains is fine (more room than economy on a plane). Pic of 2nd cl.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg

Florence/Pisa - buy at the station - no discounts or reserved seating - under 10€.

fmpden Jun 17th, 2013 06:23 PM

....leaving it till we arribe would not be a good plan......

The only reason to purchase before arriving is the possibility of discounted tickets BUT discount tickets come will limitations for changing or refund. But you can safely purchase tickets the day of departure. It is rare for a train to be full. Use trenitalia.com

kybourbon Jun 17th, 2013 08:13 PM

You can encounter some full trains on the main routes in high season. It would mean hanging around an hour or two to catch the next train.

It appears Trenitalia is running a promo for kids - free travel for under 15. It tells how to book these free seats halfway down the look (to purchase bimbi gratis).

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD

dendleju Jun 20th, 2013 10:28 AM

Thanks
all done - even got to pick exact seats!


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