mariapizzino

Can anyone help me figure out this crazy ternitalia site???!!

After I select the passengers and the trains and rates, etc., I Keep getting to a page that says it's unavailable. I then get 3 options, pick a different fare, pick a different train on the same day, or pick a different journey.

So then I have to go back and re-enter everything again. It's a time consuming task!! Does anyone know an easier way to find a reservation that is avaialable?

Thank you, Maria

weemac2000

You can only buy tickets on-line if you are within Italy. Tourists can't do it ( unless I'm missing trick somewhere). I wouldnt worry about it, just make a note of what tickets you want and buy them when you get to the station.

mariapizzino

Thanks or your reply. Are you 100% sure that is the case? I have read many postings that seemed to indicate that people here are able to purchase tickets online. The site does have an English version and it does have a button that says "Buy" so it seems that it would be possible. I think my problem is trying to figure out how to create an availabe reservation.

mariapizzino

I am concerened that if I don't make a reservations now, I may not find availability when I get to Italy. I want toi take a train on August 19 and that is such a busy time for trave in Italy!

kybourbon

weemac - Many people/tourists outside of Italy buy tickets online from Trenitalia, but the web site is finicky.

Maria - You can only purchase within 60 days. What rates are you selecting? Some are only available to people living in Italy/EU.

mariapizzino

First I selected the Amicus rate then decided to just switch to standard. I even tried the more expensive Flexi rate just to see if it is because the train is already full. Is there any way to get it to tell you if ANYTHING is available? I am traveling on August 19, 2007.

Thanks for your help.

J62

weemac, anybody can buy tickets online - it's not limited to someone in Italy. I've done it myself.

maria - what route are you traveling? Most routes people (here on fodors) seem to take are the major venice/rome/florence/naples routes, and those are all served by frequent trains and do not sell out.

Worst case is you can buy your tickets at the train station or a travel agent (all around the cities) upon arrival in Italy.

I used the Amica fare (20% discount?) for a recent trip, using ticketless travel. All I had to do was give the conductor the reservation # on the train. QED

kybourbon

What route are you trying to book?

mariapizzino

I am trying to book 2 routes:
1) Messina to Milan (Aug 19)
2) Milan to Zurick (Aug 21)

kybourbon

Is there a reason your aren't flying one of the budget airlines instead of this very long train ride? Look at www.whichbudget.com or www.skyscanner.net. You can fly from Catania on EasyJet, WindJet, or MyAir and possibly others.

J62

You may want to try breaking up the 1st trek into 2 parts.

Messina - Rome ( I was able to book that for 8/19 using std fare on the 10:40 am IC+ train, but not Amica fare), then try a 2nd ticket for Rome-Milan.

kybourbon

MyAir also flies from Reggio Calabria which would be closer.

mariapizzino

I think we have decided we would like the kids to have the train experience - doing an overnight on the train.

If it's too difficult, we may decide to fly but for now, the train has the votes!

LJ

These are quite common routes...you don't HAVE to book in advance if it causes you stress.

Fairfieldgirl

Do trains between Rome and Naples often sell out? Since I know my travel dates is it safest to buy in advance vs. chance it on the day of?

LJ

I know some Fodorite out there will be able to set the record straight, but we lived in Italy for some time and depended largely on trains to get around.

I NEVER had a problem with the Rome to Naples trains (it is a commuter route).In fact, I NEVER had a problem with any route that is between two large cities and always purchased from the Trenitalia machines the day of the journey or at most, one day in advance.

This advance purchase requirement is limited to overnight or country to country journeys UNLESS there is some sort of "pass" requirement that demands it.

ira

>You can only buy tickets on-line if you are within Italy.<

Weemac, you have been very badly misinformed.

Maria, did you click "International" for Rome to Zurich.

There are also "Smart Price" fares:
"
Switzerland starting from 19 euro
On all day trains Cisalpino, except for the IC 350/353 "Brianza" and the IC 351 "Lario", 19 euros for seat in 2nd class.
On the "Luna" Euronight train leaving from Rome, Florence, Bologna for Geneva, Basel and Zurich, and from Venice for Geneva and Zurich: 39 euros for couchette in 6-place compartment; 49 euros for bed in 4-place compartment; 59 euros for bed in 3-place compartment; 79 euros for bed in 2-place cabin; 119 euros for bed in single compartment".

mariapizzino

Thanks to all of you that have made the very helpfu suggestions. I think we should all write a user manual for this site for Americans!!

One more question for those of you in the know... Do I HAVE to enter the carriage and seat number or can I leave it blank and let the system choose for me? If I do have to enter a value, where on earth would I get this information????

altamiro

>Do I HAVE to enter the carriage and seat number or can I leave it blank and let the system choose for me?

No you donīt have to. You can.

>If I do have to enter a value, where on earth would I get this information????

For example the seat numbers of friends who already reserved, and to whom you want to stay near.

mariapizzino

Is there any way for me to find out what carriages and seat numbers are on a given train, or for that matter, which ones are available?