maitaitom

Hi gang,

I was booking my ticketless, first class tix for Florence to Venice in October. After selecting the four seats the site asked me to put in the carriage number. Pardon my stupidity, do I just put a "1" there or am I missing something (beside the right half of my brain)? Thanks.

PalQ

you must be missing a diagram that tells how many carriages (train cars) there are on the train and the one you want to select. Some folks prefer to avoid the front carriages in case of an accident or terrorist on the tracks.

maitaitom

PalQ, you are correct. I was able to choose my position, but there is not a diagram of the train. It is an ES train from Florence to Venice. Any suggestions of what to put in the place where it says

Coach
Seats
(I assume that is specific seat numbers?)

I don't let terrorists or fatalism go into my seat selection process (yet). I just want to get the right carriage number and four seats together. Thanks.

GAC

This Eurostar train has 7 second class and 4 first class railcars, as well as a restaurant car.

The system will assign you seat numbers and railcar number.

The option to fill in seat and railcar numbers on the website applies ONLY if you want to sit next to (or near) other booked passengers on that particular train.

maitaitom

GAC. Good to have our resident Trenitalia expert back on board (pun intended). How was your trip? If I ask for four tickets, will any of them be together, or is it just luck of the draw? Thanks.

LAwoman

I've wondered abouth that too, Tom, glad you asked.

Did you notice that, for "fare", there is a scroll down menu that allows you to choose which type of fare you want? The first choice is "intera" but you can scroll down to others, some of which appear to be cheaper?

Only all the choices are in Italian, even on the English page. If anyody can clarify what all those fare types are, and whether we might qualify, would be a big help.

maitaitom

LAwoman, the fares had me somewhat confused, too. Since the four of us will be traveling together for 23 days (and this will be day 17), if we are apart for 2 1/2 hours, it might be a good thing. I just didn't want to pull a Ricky Ricardo and forget to get Fred and Ethel their train tickets (Oh no, the Mertz's!)

Patrick

GAC or others, is there anyway to request those first class seats on Eurostar where there are only two seats and they face each other with a table between them?

GAC

Four Seats together: mostly luck of the draw.

Discount fares: most do NOT apply to U.S. travellers, except for the promotional discount fares: Eurostar for 29/39 Euros or "Freedom to Travel"

GAC

Patrick: I would choose one of the first class seats and purchase it. As a separate transaction, I would then purchase a second seat, and request to be seated "next to" the previously purchased and reserved seat, identified by seat and railcar number.

This may not work, but it's worth a shot.

LAwoman

I am looking at an IC train Salerno-Orvieto that includes choice for "liberta di viaggiare 15 euro" Sounds like freedom to traval to me?

LAwoman

oops I mean freedom to travel...

maitaitom

I decided to become the guinea pig here. I just booked four tickets on ES Florence to Venice. Before you have to pay, they show you the seats.

My tickets said: Carrozza 2 (assume that is coach#)
Seats 46, 45, 43, 44
So it looks like we are all together.

Good luck. Now to try my luck Venice to Rome.

GAC

LAwoman: many travellers don't know it, but the "Freedom to Travel" promotional fares on Trenitalia represent the BEST VALUE by far, as they apply on ANY SINGLE Intercity (IC), Intercity Night (ICN) and Espresso (EXP) night trains REGARDLESS of distance (e.g. from Milan to Sicily).

And the 15 Euro rate applies to both first and second class seats (although it's tough to get first class unless you book very well in advance, as there are typically very few first class seats held open at the promotional rate.

DO READ the rules and restrictions for this promotional fare, so you're not caught off guard in case you need to make changes.

LAwoman

Thanks, GAC. Will try to nab the 1st class tix at 15 euro.

Tom it sounds like you've got it wired. Hope proximity to Fred & Ethel isn't a problem.

FainaAgain

Tom, just topped for you this Trenitalia thread

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34648359

Enjoy!

maitaitom

"Hope proximity to Fred & Ethel isn't a problem."

LAwoman,
Me too, because if I goof up, there will be lots of 'splaining to do. I don't think a chorus of Babaloo will do it.

Thanks Faina.