Does anyone know if I am able to book 4 couchettes on the overnight train from Florence to Paris Bercy leaving June 5, 2008 at 20:53 yet? It is an overnight train and want to book early since we want to get the "smart price" fare of 35 euros or so. I have tried but under the "BUY" column it says "NO". Am I doing something wrong or am I too early?

As always, your advice is greatly appreciated!

Karen

Metry--According to all I've read, you should be able to book 90 days out. But, I am now 90 days out from my desired date of June 1, 2008--wanting a couchette for 4 also--and even though Trenitalia website will give me the smart fare, it won't let me book it. So, I called Italy yesterday morning and they told me the same thing. No booking more than 60 days out. So why even show it on the website now?

I find this very interesting, because if you check the French train site, sncf, they will, indeed, let you book now, but won't allow the cheap "prem" fare yet.

So, we are caught in a quandry (at least I am) wheather to take the expensive sncf fare now, or gamble and take the Italian "smart" fare in April.

To answer you primary question, you should see the Italian fare in the next day or so and IF you are able to book 90 days out, PLEASE let me know how you accomplish it!

Judy

Judy,

Thanks so much for sharing this info! It looks like we are in similar situations.
Last year I booked this same overnight train for 80 euros per person about 45 days before through sncf. I am hoping to get the "smart price" through Trenitalia this time. Let's keep watching and see if we can book it soon. I will let you know if I book it.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks, Karen

Hi M,

I think that you have to wait until March 5.

Thanks so much to Ira and other fodor friends with our trip plans so far! We are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 teenagers. I am now trying to buy tickets:

1. Florence to Paris June 5, 2008 Overnight train EN 226 Palatino leaves at 20:53 and arrives at Paris Bercy 9:10.
The Trenitalia website will only let me book the C4 couchette for 60 euros. Am I able to book the 6 person couchette for 35 euros, the "smart price" rate?


2. I also must book travel from Switzerland to Rome. Do you know if there is a reasonable train fare? On the Trenitalia site there are reasonable "Smart Price" fares from Italy to Switzerland, but the fare quoted to me by the Swiss Railway was over 100 euros each.

Any information you can share is greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much! Karen