I think I may have inadvertently booked backwards facing seats (coach 5, seats 8C, 8D Frecciargento 9419). Since I am an enthusiastic, but motion sick traveler, I really need to face forwards. Does anyone know if these seats are oriented towards the back of the train, and if and how I can change seats? Is this train usually full or might I be able to find front facing seats available? Thanks, as always, for your suggestions.

A little more than 1/2 of the time, the seat I had reservations for already had someone else sitting there.

They were bumped by someone else, and so on.

Just move to another seat nearby. Try not to lose sight of your luggage on the overhead bin.

Thanks...I feel a little better! At least there is a possibility of relocating.

I believe the change will change direction at Florence since the station there is a terminal station. So the forward facing seats on the first leg will become backward facing, and vice versa.

Oooohhh....I guess I'll just dance around the car!!! Actually, I'll just take a Gravol at the outset to ward off the problem.

If you are going to be in Venice for a few days before your train to Rome, just stop in the station and ask them about changing your seats.

Do you know that you'll feel disoriented if you face backwards? I do sometimes get motion sick (definitely if I look out plane windows) and find that the rear facing seats are more soothing as there is no scenery rushing toward you.

I get motion sickness too, but I recently took the same trip and found the trains to be smooth and comfortable. You can't control the direction of the seats, the train changed directions at terminal stations. Pack light too, otherwise you might end up having to stow your large suitcases by the doors where they are easily lifted by thieves exiting at the many stops.

I prefer facing backwards too. It seems to be easier on my eyes not having scenery rushing at me. I can look at things longer as they fade away.
The trains are very smooth. I have trouble sleeping and yet I fall asleep on the trains in Italy no problem!

Thanks everyone...we'll just go with the flow. SaraSmiles...we just do carry on luggage!!

The backward sitting is usually an issue on a transport that does frequent stop and go and make sharp turns. On these trains, once they start moving, very gradually at that, if you don't look outside, there is no way of feeling which direction you are traveling.

I got this train a couple of weeks ago and there were *no* spare seats - but that was August, so may be different in September. I am also inclined to travel sickness but have no problem facing backwards on any train - and this is a very smooth one.