Hi everybody:
Sorry, I don't want to sound ignorant, the answer is probably right in front of me but I'm trying to book my train accomodations for Rome to Florence, then Florence to Venice, then Venice to Rome but...
After I choose the desired trip, it takes me to "FARES CHOICE" where it asks me to "CHOOSE YOUR RATE" but I'm not sure what rate I want to choose for going 1st class. There is FLEXI, STANDARD, IN EUROSTAR 29EURO, SCONTO EXECUTIVE, etc. Then for Venice to rome I want a "Couchette" but that's another story with fares I don't get...
I went to railpass.com which seems more straight forward but I have not seen you guys recomend it as much as trenitalia.

Could someone please point me in the right direction?

Thank you

Stephanie

Pininas- I had the same problem this summer before I left for Italy. I couldn't get a response or understanding of the trains. I ended up getting to Italy and making my reservations right at the windows. They also have these touch like machines, in any language, just touch the language desired. It leads you from one point to another via so many stops or no stops which ever you choose. I did however take the excelsior from Rome to Milan, an overnight train. We had our own cabin with shower and toilet etc. Breakfast served in the am. A gift package of sundries and carring case and also included slippers! How great was that!

If the 29E for 1st class on ES trains are available, then select those. It's a special price that can sell out.The regular 2nd class price from Rome to Florence is about 29E so if you can't get 1st class for that, it's a bargain. Make sure you have read other threads on how to purchase online with Trenitalia (notify credit card, use hotmail address, etc).

For the night train from Venice to Rome, after you select couchette, then try the "Liberta di viaggiare" fares, starting with the lowest until you get one that is accepted. If you get a meesage saying that the offer is not adequate for the journey, try a higher price. If none of the "liberta" fares is accepted, then choose the standard fare.

Ibruns
Taking the excelsior sounds amazing. How did you find that booking? I would do that from Venice to Rome since it's a longer trip.
Does anybody know if I am better off asking the concierge at the hotel to help me book it. I am going on November 26th, and it's the off season?

Hi P,

It is 4:36 hr from Venezia San Lucia to Rome TE.

Is there a particular reason for taking a night train?

Ira:
I thought i would save time since I am only in Italy for 10 days. Do you think I should just get the earliest train out? I'm worried about getting to the train station on time being that I'm going to Venice during the wet season.
Thanks Ira.

www.railpass.com seems to be the official U.S. outlet of trenitalia.com - it's also called RailAgent and Wandrian.rail.com and www.railsaver.com

RailAgent provides the backend power for www.railpass.com - if buying Italian tickets in the U.S. these usually offer the best fares and are actually tied into the European ticketing arm of trenitalia.com - unlike Raileurope.com

Thus i would recommend www.railpass.com without qualms as to being an established company -i haven't looked at their pricing enough to know if they, unlike RailEurope, are in the ballpark of what you'd buy in Italy or on trenitalia.com

Hi P,

You could take the 06:32, but I wouldn't.

The 10:32 is the first reasonable direct train. Arrives Rome at 15:08. Your room will be ready.

If you want to take the night train, this route has been suggested by another poster:

Leave Venice and go to Trieste.

Take the 21:25 ICN arriving Rome Tiburtina at 06:56.

Enjoy your visit.



You will be able to sleep on the train.

pininas wrote "where it asks me to "CHOOSE YOUR RATE" but I'm not sure what rate I want to choose for going 1st class. There is FLEXI, STANDARD, IN EUROSTAR 29EURO, SCONTO EXECUTIVE, etc. "

Right next to that selector of the different fare types is a link Informazioni sulla tariffa (or the equivalent on the English version I suppose) that explains them all.