Thanks, Ira. If I buy Eurostar tickets online, will I still need to get tickets at the station? Or can I print them up and use that?

Thanks!

In using the train website, anyone know how to find the train car number to enter? And how are you supposed to know the seat numbers to enter? Thanks.

My question is-- what is the difference between 1st and 2nd class?

I'll be taking a Eurostar train from Florence to Venice on a Wednesday in October. Is it worth it to pay the extra money for 1st class? I think the train ride is approx. 3 hours.

rosexmike,
I had the same question initially, but you don't need to enter a carriage or seat # (apparently this is in the event you are traveling with another party). Just go to the next step. You will be assigned a carriage and seat number when you purchase. Also, be sure to look for lower fares like EURO 29 & EURO 39 --don't accept INTERA unless you have to (scroll down the menu to the other choices)...


Suestein,
why not try for one of the cheap fares IN 1st Class..just reserve the soonest you can (60 days prior)?

I see those options mentioned when I tried to purchase tickets for my rome to florence ride. How would I know which ones I am eligible for without having to get any kind of extra card or membership? I find the international train is as confusing too. Too many options without actual description. The only obvious one I see that won't cause any potential trouble later is the most expensive option (the normal/Intera option).

ginafay, if you buy your tickets online, choose the tickletless option. Then print out your email confirmation and just hand it to the conductor on the train when he comes around. No need to get a ticket at the station or validate it. Very easy!

Octopus Pass --

You can read the restrictions in English, but on the EURO 29 /39 fares, it seems akin to the "Supersaver "Airfares --capacity restrictions and no flexibility to change at the same price. For me, it is worth the "risk" since my hotel reservations require us getting from one place to another on a certain date anyway and we are notoriously punctual when it comes to trains, planes and boats.

Planning to buy 4 tickets from Venice to Rome for July 8th. May I know what are the diffeneces between 1st class and 2nd class? Should I buy those tickets in advance? Please advise.

Thanks!

Hi Victoria,

Where can I find the restrictions on the EURO 29/39 fares? How I can find I am eligable for those fares? Thanks!

Shoutout32,
I always buy 1st class tickets when offered. I can't afford 1st class on the plane, so I do it on the train. The seats are better. That's a long ride so indulge yourself.

Try this link for info on Euro 29/39 fares...
http://www.trenitalia.it/en/promozio...eg_29euro.html

WARNING: Let your credit card company know BEFORE booking online with Trenitalia.

We're in the process of making two train Eurostar reservations on the Trenitalia site. The first reservation went through perfectly, but the second one was flagged by Visa fraud (routinely done for "unusual activity") and denied. That resulted in Trenitalia freezing our Trenitalia account. I verified the charges with Visa, but my Trenitalia account is still closed. We tried to buy tickets creating a new account with my wife's credit card, but that didn't work either. I sent an email last night to the Trenitalia help line, but have not gotten a reply.

I wish I'd just used a travel agent. This has taken hours.

I'm struggling with the Trenatalia website myself. I think I forgot my password or they never sent me one. So now I'm frozen out on the website! I'm trying to register using my husband's web address, but they aren't sending me his password either. Thanks for the heads up re: the credit card company.

Shutout32 - Scroll about 3/4 of the way down this web page to see 2nd class seats on the ES trains.
http://www.seat61.com/Italy.htm

Hopeline - Maybe your computer thought the e-mails were spam. Check your spam folder.

kybourbon--thanks so much for that website. I have wanted to "see" what 1st and 2nd class coaches looked like.

If you had 4 people traveling from Venice to Florence would you do it by train or rent a car? Seems like the car would get you there just as fast as Eurostar according to Mappy. Any one have any experience and advice on this one?

mikej48 - If you are staying in Florence a few days, then you will just be paying parking fees. Usually, it's not very economical to rent a car for 1 or 2 days. Price breaks seem to kick-in for 3+days.

Planning on visiting Italy with 2 kids. On the trenitalia site, when I try to book tickets for 2 Adults and 2 Kids. The Kids get a discount! - which is great. However the site only lets you pick 2 seats when you choose 2Adults & 2 kids. Does that mean that you can only get 2 seats with 2Adult and 2Child tickets(Over 11)? Confusing site so any help appreciated. I think my kids are a little too big to sit in my lap :-)- Andy

Hi Andy,

I find the same problem on the English site.

The Italian site will let you choose 2 adult and 2 youth tickets.

However, depending on how far you are traveling, it might be cheaper for you to book 4 adult 29E tickets. For example, Rome/Venice 2 adult, 2 child is 135E. 4 adult 29E fares are 116E.

((I))

Thank you very much Ira. What is 29E Fares? Thanks