All,

I will be traveling throughout Italy in September and I am trying to determine if I should purchase first class train tix in advance since I have booked hotels throughout the trip that we must arrive for (otherwise I will lose $). What do you suggest I do?? Thanks in advance.

You can't book train tix any earlier than TWO months before your trip. If you're travelling on a local train, you may not find the difference between first and second class seats all that noticeable.

Good luck!

I recommend that you purchase the train tickets for leaving city A to go to city B, when you arrive in city A.

Even in the unlikely event that you were unable to get first class tickets one (or several) day(s) in advance to get from A to B, you would still get there if you had to go in second class, of course.

Don't get me wrong - - I like first class train travel, too, when I have used trains in Italy (admittedly, that's only about five times) - - but I do NOT like over-paying for something when it is not necessary. You WILL over-pay if you buy your tickets "here" (assuming that you are "here" in the US) from RailEurope (as one possible source).

On the other hand, there ARE instructions here on this forum about buying tickets in advance from the trenitalia website. You have to do the entire transaction on the Italian language "side". Challenging, as I understand it, but not impossible.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi nicol,

If I have a fixed schedule, I make my train reservations in advance.

See Trenitalia Tickets Online
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34465647

You can practice your Italian and get in the mood for Italy.

Rex's advice is also very good if you will not be traveling on weekends and holidays.

I live in Switzerland and never take first class trains here or in Germany. However Italy is a place where I usually will take first class. The cars are cleaner and generally newer. They are less crowded than second class, and as September is a popular travel month the trains can be crowded. The seating area is generally roomier, as is the luggage space. You might also appreciate air conditioning in September as it can still be quite warm. Air conditioning is generally only available in first class.

The hotels in each town you are departing from should also be able to buy tickets for you at no extra charge if you give them enough notice. I often fax or e-mail the hotel a few days before I arrive indicating the date and train I want and the tickets are waiting for me when I arrive at the hotel.

If you look at Italian train schedules, you'll see that trains are generally frequent, at least every hour on most main lines. Therefore, you will never be stuck, unable to get from one place to another. On many routes, there are stopping trains on which seats cannot be reserved. It is often quicker to get on the next train rather than stand around waiting for a faster train on which you have reserved seats. I've been throughout Italy by train many times, from Trapani to Trieste, and never booked a journey before arriving in Italy, except for international overnight services. If you are really keen to travel first class, seats are more likely to be available than in second class - most people don't want to pay the extra.