I was looking on trenitalia to price out some tickets from roma to napoli and when I put in all the info, it showed no trains. I'm looking at June travel. Am I looking too early? Any ideas why I'm getting nothing? Thanks

Yes, you're looking too early for dates that far out. The schedules will change sometime in the spring, but probably not by much. You can put in earlier dates to get an idea of what will probably be available, but it won't be certain at this time, and it's too early to book online right now for June.

Yup keep checking but way too early - also try www.italotreno.com competitor to trenitalia.com. www.seat61.com has all relevant tips on booking own tickets; general train info BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

Yes, definitely check Italo, as well.

Thanks everyone! Glad to see i'm too early!

Schedules change twice a year (2nd weekend in June/December). Pick a date on Trenitalia within the next 120 days, you should see the options/prices as it won't change much when the new schedules get loaded. Trenitalia only allows booking 120 days in advance.

In the past, Italo has allowed booking through the end of their schedule once they get it loaded although that may have changed. Prices between Trenitalia and Italo, along with discounts, are similar.

I thought Italo had cheaper full-fare prices? Kybourbon is the expert but just want to clarify if Italo cheaper for full-fare or not?

Italo does have a few euro cheaper full fare. I imagine that is temporary as it's my understanding the company is doing an IPO. Their cheapest discount fare on that route is the same as Trenitalia 9.90€.

https://italospa.italotreno.it/en/index.html

thanks bourbon as usual for the excellent knowledge of Italian train tariffs!

Bother you with one more question - do each company use similar trains or are Trentialia ones a bit more modern?

Trenitalia has some newer trains, but they also have some fast trains that are older. Just depends which train you book. Most of Italo's trains are newer, but seem cheaper made to me. Italo trains have vending machines where Trenitalia still has snack bars/dining cars although that might be going by the wayside. I prefer Trenitalia (especially for 2nd class) as they have more tables. Italo has more flip down trays on the back of seats even in their upper classes and very few tables. I much prefer tables over those trays and Trenitalia just has trays at the very ends of cars. I don't like having to move everything to get out of my seat which is what you have to do with trays.

You can look at the various trains and classes on each by clicking which Frecce, then scrolling down to the bottom and click on each class.

FRECCE trains, high speed at high frequency. - Trenitalia

For Italo, click on the various seat backs.

https://www.italotreno.it/en/the-train

Wow- thank you everyone! Very helpful and informative information. Always fun booking a European trip!

Thanks bourbon for all that info - seems both fairly similar all in all.

to be clear ItaloTreno does not run as extensive routes as Trenitlia but competes on relatively few high-speed lines but ones that tourists are likely to use/

It has been so long since I posted. But I am taking the train in Italy next month.

Italo seemed easier for me to use so I signed up for their notifications and when the schedule opened up for March I received an email.

A friend is taking a Rome/Naples train in May and I checked this week for her. At the time she wanted to go the Italo train was € 24.90 in Prima which is like first class. This is one way. There are other fares available, also.

i must say getting my ticket was super easy and I printed the reservation at home.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Italo has regular sales/offers. So often you could say the sale price is the real regular price. Go to twitter and follow Italo. Assuming you read Italian you'll get sale notices. Yesterday they announced a 50% offer.

Like anything else read the terms. Yesterday offer has a date range 26 febbraio al 19 aprile. Some times they'll limit the class you can pick. Or even limit the routes.

Thank you! I will be keeping an eye on both when they start opening up dates in June!

In the past Trenitalia has been at times notoriously late in announcing summer timetables - Italotreno from Traveler Nick is great. Everything I hear is that their trains are about the same as Trenitalia in terms of rolling stock and speed, etc.

The reason I tried them is because of Trenitalia' s notorious reputation for being so difficult to use.

Italo seems a lot easier to use - a private company vs a state-owned concern?

If new timetables and tickets are released in early June but I want to book tickets for mid/late June, will advance purchase discounts be available like you get if you book 90 days plus in advance (say Feb for May tickets)? Thanks!