itwk

Hi
Those who have taken the eurostar train from Rome to Venice, is it necessary to book online beforehand? Are the morning trains crowded? Also how easy or difficult is it to do the ticketless transaction? I am thinking of just booking the train the night before my journey. From what I read on the Italian train website, you can get your tickets printed (self service) at Rome Termini itself using your reservation numbers and name? Is this a reliable service or will I just be stuck with reservation numbers and no ticket! Thanks

PalQ

From many posts on this subject it seems reliable - that said the opinion also is that it's easy to book these trains in Italy - could do upon your arrival at Rome Airport train station. You could save some euros by doing it online far in advance - up to 60 days ahead i think but many of the cheaper tickets sell out. That said the full fare on Eurostar trains in 2nd class is just about $50 i think including the mandated reservation. I wouldn't worry too much about this. Some find the trenitalia site tres frustrating and on a $50 ticket how much money can you save. I would do it at the airport train station as you could stand in long lines at Rome Termini station if you don't want to use the automatic ticket machines, which novices may find complexing.

ira

>..on a $50 ticket how much money can you save.

About $20.

You can find 29E tickets booking in advance at www.trenitalia.com.

You will get a confirmation number. Bring that on the train with you.

You will not need to get a ticket.

itwk

Thanks for the tip ira. I notice though that the offer 29 euro tickets can only be booked the day before. I am hoping to get on the 1055 am train which fingers crossed will have ample availability.

PalQ

Of course $20 savings is great but my point was that after reading thousands of frustrated folks using the fickle trenitalia site the savings may come after hours of work. Actually regular fare on the trenitalia site is 44.90 euros on Eurostars which comes out to $59 - you could book on RailEurope some Eurostars as low as $56 - including the reservation. My understanding is that 29 euro fares are not likely to be available the day before the train and you really have to act far in advance to get them - and that cannot really save that much on one relatively inexpensive train fare for all the hassle most folks report.
$20 in Italy will buy about two cappuccinos and two gelatos. The most important reason to buy online is to guarantee a seat.

SusanP

itwk, I hope Ira will come back and verify this, but I think you're wrong about booking the 29E fare only one day ahead. I'm pretty sure you have to do it online ahead of time.

As far as the ticketless option, this is very easy. I did this last Sept. Just print out your email confirmation and show it to the conductor when he comes around on the train. No need to validate it before getting on the train.

SusanP

I guess PalQ and I were posting at the same time, but we agree about having to do the 29E far ahead of time. I personally had to trouble with the Trenitalia website, but I know lots of people have.

PalQ

I think that if the supply of 29 euro tickets isn't sold out - there is i think only so many on each train sold at that price - they may be available at the station the day before. Hopefully Ira will confirm again that this is true - i defer to him in knowledge of trenitalia 29 euro special fares. I always have a railpass when railing in Italy so wouldn't know from personal experience.

itwk

Hi everyone

Thanks for the input. I have managed to book the 29E tickets from the website. No problem. I didn't read the conditions carefully at first. You can book the tickets UP TO the day before the travel. It was fairly easy to book. I just had to choose the 29E option from the menu. Thanks again.