Train seating - Best second class & Flexible second class
Aug 15th, 2011, 05:40 PM
#1
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Train seating - Best second class & Flexible second class
I plan to travel from Milan to Bregenz in Austria by train. In the EuropeRail website it quotes me "Best second class" and "Flexible second class". What is the difference?
It seems that I need to reserve my seat but the website does not facilitate this?
It seems that I need to reserve my seat but the website does not facilitate this?
Aug 15th, 2011, 05:58 PM
#2
What is the EuropeRail website? Have you tried looking at the Italian train website Trenitalia? Or the Austrian website?
If EuropeRail is like RailEurope, it makes things up and doesn't show all trains.
If EuropeRail is like RailEurope, it makes things up and doesn't show all trains.
Aug 15th, 2011, 06:34 PM
#3
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I am searching through www.raileurope.com.au. Is this the authentic website for booking my train ticket??
Aug 15th, 2011, 06:48 PM
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Raileurope is authentic but won't give you all the train options nor will it get you the best prices. Here's the Italian web site you should use.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD
Aug 15th, 2011, 07:45 PM
#5
RailEurope is a pass website although they sell a few tickets too (marked up).
Tickets on Trenitalia will include the seats for all but R trains.
Typically, on Trenitalia, you can only book international tickets between major cities (Milan/Zurich, Milan/Vienna, Rome/Innsbruck). You may have to book it in sections to border towns on each countries website if you want to buy in advance. RailEurope is booking you Milan/Zurich and Zurich/Bregenz. You can book this yourself and perhaps snag some discount tickets.
On Trenitalia, enter Milan and Zurich (select main station), select your train, on the next screen in the fare drop down box select the first Smart fare. If available, a 19€ fare will pop up. This includes your seat. You can read about the Smart fares here:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
If not available (they can sell out or you can be trying to buy outside the sale dates), try selecting Smart 2. It's a bit higher fare.
You should register with Trenitalia first and notify your credit card company you are making an online Italian purchase. They will not mail tickets outside Europe. You will need to pick them up at the station with the code you are e-mailed(self-service kiosk).
You can then purchase your Zurich/Bregenz ticket when you arrive Zurich or in advance on the Swiss train website. I'm not sure if there are any advance tickets for that leg. If not, I would just wait until you get to Zurich in case your Milan/Zurich train is late. Here's the link for the Swiss site.
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
Tickets on Trenitalia will include the seats for all but R trains.
Typically, on Trenitalia, you can only book international tickets between major cities (Milan/Zurich, Milan/Vienna, Rome/Innsbruck). You may have to book it in sections to border towns on each countries website if you want to buy in advance. RailEurope is booking you Milan/Zurich and Zurich/Bregenz. You can book this yourself and perhaps snag some discount tickets.
On Trenitalia, enter Milan and Zurich (select main station), select your train, on the next screen in the fare drop down box select the first Smart fare. If available, a 19€ fare will pop up. This includes your seat. You can read about the Smart fares here:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
If not available (they can sell out or you can be trying to buy outside the sale dates), try selecting Smart 2. It's a bit higher fare.
You should register with Trenitalia first and notify your credit card company you are making an online Italian purchase. They will not mail tickets outside Europe. You will need to pick them up at the station with the code you are e-mailed(self-service kiosk).
You can then purchase your Zurich/Bregenz ticket when you arrive Zurich or in advance on the Swiss train website. I'm not sure if there are any advance tickets for that leg. If not, I would just wait until you get to Zurich in case your Milan/Zurich train is late. Here's the link for the Swiss site.
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
Aug 15th, 2011, 07:48 PM
#6
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Would the Italian web site provide the price for the full trip if it requires changeover in Zurich?
The Italian web site only quotes me Milan to Zurich is there any other step I need to do?
Thanks
The Italian web site only quotes me Milan to Zurich is there any other step I need to do?
Thanks
Aug 15th, 2011, 07:53 PM
#7
FYI - I just looked at the Swiss site and there is a discount for Zurich/Bregenz if you select an EC train. 22chf.
You can save a lot buying directly from the countries instead of a reseller like RE.
As for the 2nd class fares RE is showing, they are pricing full fare and base fare. Full fare is like when you pay full price for an airline ticket instead of buying a discount ticket. You can cancel any time, change your times, etc. It's fully flexible, but you pay a 30% premium on Trenitalia over the regular price (don't how much extra you would pay RE as they mark up fares).
When is your trip?
You can save a lot buying directly from the countries instead of a reseller like RE.
As for the 2nd class fares RE is showing, they are pricing full fare and base fare. Full fare is like when you pay full price for an airline ticket instead of buying a discount ticket. You can cancel any time, change your times, etc. It's fully flexible, but you pay a 30% premium on Trenitalia over the regular price (don't how much extra you would pay RE as they mark up fares).
When is your trip?
Aug 15th, 2011, 10:44 PM
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For 23 Oct the 'Smart fare' from Milano Centrale to Zurich HB is € 19
Here is the terms and conditions for that fare
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/h...n.html#97_91_8
Hence, total including the Zurich to Bregenz it would be € 41
Here is the terms and conditions for that fare
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/h...n.html#97_91_8
Hence, total including the Zurich to Bregenz it would be € 41
Aug 16th, 2011, 05:54 AM
#11
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This is absolutely wonderful
May I ask how to choose Coach and Seat in the Milan to Zurich trip?
Do the trains in Milan - Zurich, Zurich to Bregenz have non-smoking class?? If so, how do I book the seat.
May I ask how to choose Coach and Seat in the Milan to Zurich trip?
Do the trains in Milan - Zurich, Zurich to Bregenz have non-smoking class?? If so, how do I book the seat.
Aug 16th, 2011, 06:02 AM
#12
>>>Hence, total including the Zurich to Bregenz it would be € 41<<<
Not quite - a bit cheaper. The Trenitalia fares are in euro. The Swiss fares are in Swiss francs. At today's rates, 22chf = 19.46€.
>>>Would the Italian web site provide the price for the full trip if it requires changeover in Zurich?<<<
No, you can only purchase the Milan/Zurich on Trenitalia. The 19€ fare is advance purchase only. Here's a link to pictures of self service kiosks that you would retrieve your ticket. You will want to select "collect your ticket" if you buy online.
http://www.roninrome.com/transportat...ickets-updated
Purchase the Zurich/Bregenz on sbb.ch.
The Italian web site only quotes me Milan to Zurich is there any other step I need to do?
Not quite - a bit cheaper. The Trenitalia fares are in euro. The Swiss fares are in Swiss francs. At today's rates, 22chf = 19.46€.
>>>Would the Italian web site provide the price for the full trip if it requires changeover in Zurich?<<<
No, you can only purchase the Milan/Zurich on Trenitalia. The 19€ fare is advance purchase only. Here's a link to pictures of self service kiosks that you would retrieve your ticket. You will want to select "collect your ticket" if you buy online.
http://www.roninrome.com/transportat...ickets-updated
Purchase the Zurich/Bregenz on sbb.ch.
The Italian web site only quotes me Milan to Zurich is there any other step I need to do?
Aug 16th, 2011, 06:14 AM
#13
>>>Do the trains in Milan - Zurich, Zurich to Bregenz have non-smoking class?? If so, how do I book the seat.<<<
Trains are non-smoking. Trenitalia will select your seat. Their online selection is only if you are trying to book a seat next to someone that already has a ticket. You can select window/aisle in the box next to the one that says mandatory reservation.
Trains are non-smoking. Trenitalia will select your seat. Their online selection is only if you are trying to book a seat next to someone that already has a ticket. You can select window/aisle in the box next to the one that says mandatory reservation.
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