My husband and I are traveling to Italy in May (Rome to Naples to Venice and to Milan via train). Would like information as to which is best to do: point-to-point or Kilometer ticket? I understand the kilometer ticket is cheeper, but there are supplements. I'm wondering how much these supplements are.

Thanks for your help!!

My friend and I travelled using the kilometrico ticket and didn't have to pay a single supplement. We had a first class kilometrico ticket. I think if you book a particular seat you may have to pay a small fee.

Hi Joanna,

I was told that to take the IC (inter city) or the Pendolino, there would be a supplement.

Is there a great difference between 1st and 2nd class? We're considering the early a.m. train from Naples to Venice (7 hrs) and are wondering if we should buy 1st class seats.

Thanks!
Monica

Hello Monica! I would recommend 1st Class, as 2nd can get very crowded. Some of the shorter lines only have 2nd class unfortunately. The longest single haul we did by train was Rome to Naples. We sat in 1st without making any bookings and there was no problem. The inspector didn't ask for a supplement for that journey. I think for the Pendolino you would probably have to reserve a seat and pay a supplement to ensure your place. 1st class is much preferable to 2nd, not only because of crowding but the facilities are better for luggage. The only problem we had was finding out which carriage was 1st, as they don't mark the carriages on the platform as they do in other European countries. Quite often we had to content ourselves to sit in 2nd, as the train only stopped for 1 minute and we just had to get on anywhere before the train left!
I think the kilometrico would still end up cheaper than point to point.
Hope you have a great trip!!

Check out raileurope.com. I think if you or your travel agent buy your tickets through them, in advance, you'll save time and money.

You might save time but you certainly will not save money by buying your ticket here through Raileurope. We looked into getting seat reservations in France. Raileurope wanted $15 per reservation (I think it has now been lowered to $11) plus a $10 charge for processing the order, bringing the total for us at that time to $40. We decided to take our chances, so upon arriving in France we made our reservations with no problem at all for $3.50 each. I really don't go along with 1st class being so superior to 2nd class, unless you have so much money your problem is getting rid of it. We have always traveled 2nd class with no problem whatsoever. Granted, if it is a long and popular route, particularly in Italy, it is wise to get a seat reservation THE DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE. You cannot get reservations in 2nd class the same day. Be SURE to get a reservation if traveling on a holiday. Check out the prices of your various trips using Raileurope's fare and schedule, then check prices of the flex pass and kilometric pass at www.forsyth.com. We have used both in Italy and were happy with both. Just depends upon how many miles you are going to use. Also, with the flex pass you just get on the train, unless you decide to get a seat reservation (the day before). Good luck, and happy traveling.

WE HAD NO PROBLEM ON THE TRAIN FROM ROME TO NAPLES. BUT THIS YEAR WE WILL BE BASED IN GENOA WITH TRIPS TO MONTE CARLO, NICE, FLORENCE AND MILAN AS WELL AS SMALL TOWNS ALONG THE LIGURIAN COAST. ACCORDING TO RICK STEEVE {EUROPE THRO THE BACK DOOR} IT IS BETTER TO BUY A FLEX PASS IN ITALY WHEN WE GET THERE, CHEAPERTAHT WAY.
WE SPENT 10 DAYS IN ROME...OUTSTANDING!

I was surprised to see that Karen quotes Rick Steves as saying flex passes are cheaper when bought in Italy. I double checked my Steves Italy book and he does say flex passes are NOT available in Italy, but must be purchased in U.S. I know we got ours through Forsyth. We have always purchased our passes, books, etc. through them. They are a wonderful company.