Trenitalia Missed Connections Between Trains
Dec 13th, 2012, 12:29 PM
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Trenitalia Missed Connections Between Trains
I am going to attempt to condense here the "rules" concerning missed connections between Trenitalia trains: when minimum connection times are important and when not, as well as other helpful hints.
When reading this posting, please bear in mind the following:
1. The discussion is confined to the issue of missed CONNECTIONS between two TRENITALIA trains (and not between Trenitalia and another operator such as ITALO TRENO or the Circumvesuviana commuter rail)
2. The discussion does NOT concern trains missed for reasons NOT attributable to Trenitalia (e.g. late arriving plane or ship; waking up too late; taxi to train station breaks down, is caught in road traffic, or is delayed by bad weather, traveller is delayed because sick or injured, etc.)
3. Some of the proposed solutions represent the distillation of questions asked by me to Trenitalia Customer Assistance Staff, but are not necessarily outcomes sanctioned by the "official rules", i.e. the proposed result is NOT GUARANTEED.
So, here we go:
1. Connections TO a RESERVED Trenitalia train for which a "BASE" fare ticket is held:
If you are connecting FROM any Trenitalia train TO a Trenitalia RESERVED train, and are holding a "BASE" fare ticket on the RESERVED train, you have a ONE HOUR GRACE period to re-book to a later train (free of charge) if you MISS your connection. If you MISS your RESERVED train by MORE than one hour OWING TO a late arriving Trenitalia train, you NEVERTHELESS SHOULD seek and obtain APPROVAL from the Trenitalia customer assistance staff to re-book to a later train (which should be allowed free of charge).
2. Connections between two RESERVED Trenitalia trains for which a DISCOUNTED ticket is held on the second train:
If you are connecting FROM any Trenitalia RESERVED train TO a Trenitalia RESERVED train, and are holding a DISCOUNTED (e.g. SUPER ECONOMY or ECONOMY) fare ticket on the second RESERVED train, you must seek APPROVAL from the Trenitalia customer assistance staff to re-book to a later train if you MISS your second (connecting) RESERVED train. Approval SHOULD be given as long as you have a 15-minute official connection time and you are connecting FROM another RESERVED train.
3. Connections from a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train TO a Trenitalia RESERVED train, for which a DISCOUNTED ticket is held on the second train:
If you are connecting FROM a Trenitalia UNRESERVED (i.e. "regionale") train, to a Trenitalia RESERVED train for which you hold a DISCOUNTED ticket (and you MISS the second train), you are SUPPOSED to have an official connection time of at least ONE HOUR in order to be accommodated without penalty, although this "rule" is often waived by the Trenitalia customer assistance staff (BUT there are no guarantees that this will always be the outcome). In all cases, you need the APPROVAL of Trenitalia staff (which is DISCRETIONARY when the connection time is less than 60 minutes).
HINT: If you're holding a DISCOUNTED ticket on the RESERVED train, if possible give yourself at least 30-60 minutes connection time if connecting FROM an UNRESERVED train. (I offer the same advice even when connecting FROM a RESERVED train, even though the "15-minute connection rule" SHOULD apply here). If your request to be accommodated in denied, try asking a different Customer Assistance representative (or better yet, go to the Trenitalia Customer Assistance Office).
4. Connections TO a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train for which a PAPER ticket is held:
If you are connecting FROM any Trenitalia train TO a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train, and are holding a PAPER ticket for the UNRESERVED train, the PAPER ticket is valid for SIX HOURS after validation (punching) thereof. This protects you in case you MISS your desired connecting UNRESERVED train. If you have not even validated the PAPER ticket, you can use it up to TWO MONTHS after ticket issuance.
HINT: Do NOT validate the PAPER ticket for the UNRESERVED train until you ARRIVE at the connecting station ( just before boarding the connecting train). DON'T FORGET to validate the PAPER ticket for the UNRESERVED train in this case (this can sometimes happen when in a rush)!!!
5. Connections TO a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train for which an ELECTRONIC ticket is held:
If you are connecting FROM any Trenitalia train TO a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train, and are holding an ELECTRONIC ticket for the UNRESERVED train, the ELECTRONIC ticket is valid for FOUR HOURS** after the departure time of the train noted thereon. This also protects you in case you MISS your desired connecting UNRESERVED train. **In the case of an electronic ticket for the Leonardo da Vinci airport train to Rome-FCO airport, 90 minutes instead of four hours.
6. Tips on seeking Customer Assistance:
You can request re-booking to a later departing Frecciarossa, Frecciargento or Frecciabianca (reserved) train at the mobile desks at the head of the track (when in operation), rather than standing in line at the main staffed ticket windows. This will usually result in much faster service. HOWEVER, if you hold a ticket for an INTERCITY (reserved) train, you will need to go to the staffed ticket windows (or the Trenitalia Customer Assistance Office, where present). If you have a complicated issue (or hold a ticket for an UNRESERVED train), it's usually best to go directly to the Trenitalia Customer Assistance Office.
MOST IMPORTANT POINT TO REMEMBER: These "rules" are not enforced 100% of the time, and "exceptions" can and are made. You may not get consistent answers to these questions when you ask Trenitalia staff: don't be surprised!!!
When reading this posting, please bear in mind the following:
1. The discussion is confined to the issue of missed CONNECTIONS between two TRENITALIA trains (and not between Trenitalia and another operator such as ITALO TRENO or the Circumvesuviana commuter rail)
2. The discussion does NOT concern trains missed for reasons NOT attributable to Trenitalia (e.g. late arriving plane or ship; waking up too late; taxi to train station breaks down, is caught in road traffic, or is delayed by bad weather, traveller is delayed because sick or injured, etc.)
3. Some of the proposed solutions represent the distillation of questions asked by me to Trenitalia Customer Assistance Staff, but are not necessarily outcomes sanctioned by the "official rules", i.e. the proposed result is NOT GUARANTEED.
So, here we go:
1. Connections TO a RESERVED Trenitalia train for which a "BASE" fare ticket is held:
If you are connecting FROM any Trenitalia train TO a Trenitalia RESERVED train, and are holding a "BASE" fare ticket on the RESERVED train, you have a ONE HOUR GRACE period to re-book to a later train (free of charge) if you MISS your connection. If you MISS your RESERVED train by MORE than one hour OWING TO a late arriving Trenitalia train, you NEVERTHELESS SHOULD seek and obtain APPROVAL from the Trenitalia customer assistance staff to re-book to a later train (which should be allowed free of charge).
2. Connections between two RESERVED Trenitalia trains for which a DISCOUNTED ticket is held on the second train:
If you are connecting FROM any Trenitalia RESERVED train TO a Trenitalia RESERVED train, and are holding a DISCOUNTED (e.g. SUPER ECONOMY or ECONOMY) fare ticket on the second RESERVED train, you must seek APPROVAL from the Trenitalia customer assistance staff to re-book to a later train if you MISS your second (connecting) RESERVED train. Approval SHOULD be given as long as you have a 15-minute official connection time and you are connecting FROM another RESERVED train.
3. Connections from a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train TO a Trenitalia RESERVED train, for which a DISCOUNTED ticket is held on the second train:
If you are connecting FROM a Trenitalia UNRESERVED (i.e. "regionale") train, to a Trenitalia RESERVED train for which you hold a DISCOUNTED ticket (and you MISS the second train), you are SUPPOSED to have an official connection time of at least ONE HOUR in order to be accommodated without penalty, although this "rule" is often waived by the Trenitalia customer assistance staff (BUT there are no guarantees that this will always be the outcome). In all cases, you need the APPROVAL of Trenitalia staff (which is DISCRETIONARY when the connection time is less than 60 minutes).
HINT: If you're holding a DISCOUNTED ticket on the RESERVED train, if possible give yourself at least 30-60 minutes connection time if connecting FROM an UNRESERVED train. (I offer the same advice even when connecting FROM a RESERVED train, even though the "15-minute connection rule" SHOULD apply here). If your request to be accommodated in denied, try asking a different Customer Assistance representative (or better yet, go to the Trenitalia Customer Assistance Office).
4. Connections TO a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train for which a PAPER ticket is held:
If you are connecting FROM any Trenitalia train TO a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train, and are holding a PAPER ticket for the UNRESERVED train, the PAPER ticket is valid for SIX HOURS after validation (punching) thereof. This protects you in case you MISS your desired connecting UNRESERVED train. If you have not even validated the PAPER ticket, you can use it up to TWO MONTHS after ticket issuance.
HINT: Do NOT validate the PAPER ticket for the UNRESERVED train until you ARRIVE at the connecting station ( just before boarding the connecting train). DON'T FORGET to validate the PAPER ticket for the UNRESERVED train in this case (this can sometimes happen when in a rush)!!!
5. Connections TO a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train for which an ELECTRONIC ticket is held:
If you are connecting FROM any Trenitalia train TO a Trenitalia UNRESERVED train, and are holding an ELECTRONIC ticket for the UNRESERVED train, the ELECTRONIC ticket is valid for FOUR HOURS** after the departure time of the train noted thereon. This also protects you in case you MISS your desired connecting UNRESERVED train. **In the case of an electronic ticket for the Leonardo da Vinci airport train to Rome-FCO airport, 90 minutes instead of four hours.
6. Tips on seeking Customer Assistance:
You can request re-booking to a later departing Frecciarossa, Frecciargento or Frecciabianca (reserved) train at the mobile desks at the head of the track (when in operation), rather than standing in line at the main staffed ticket windows. This will usually result in much faster service. HOWEVER, if you hold a ticket for an INTERCITY (reserved) train, you will need to go to the staffed ticket windows (or the Trenitalia Customer Assistance Office, where present). If you have a complicated issue (or hold a ticket for an UNRESERVED train), it's usually best to go directly to the Trenitalia Customer Assistance Office.
MOST IMPORTANT POINT TO REMEMBER: These "rules" are not enforced 100% of the time, and "exceptions" can and are made. You may not get consistent answers to these questions when you ask Trenitalia staff: don't be surprised!!!
Jun 15th, 2013, 03:06 AM
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IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Having just returned from a trip to Italy, I had occasion to question FIVE different Trenitalia customer assistance staff (two at Roma Termini and three at Firenze SMN), and (contrary to the inconsistent replies received during my trip in 2012) I received five CONSISTENT answers to my question concerning missed connections FROM a Trenitalia UNRESERVED (regionale) train TO a Trenitalia RESERVED train, when holding a discounted ticket on the RESERVED train: the MINIMUM OFFICIAL CONNECTION TIME between trains must be 15 minutes in order to receive AUTHORIZATION to board a later-departing RESERVED train without incurring a penalty or premium. THERE IS NO DISTINCTION IN THE MINIMUM CONNECTION TIME BETWEEN UNRESERVED AND RESERVED TRAINS, IT'S ALWAYS 15 MINUTES**.
**As a technical matter, most Trenitalia stations require a 10-minute connection between trains. Only the following stations require 15 minutes: Bologna Centrale, Firenze S.M.N., Milano Centrale, Napoli Centrale, Roma Termini, Torino P.N., Villa San Giovanni. See the footnote to Paragraph 7.3 of the Trenitalia Offical Tariff Rules for National Trains. However, for practical purposes, travellers should forget about the "10-minute connection rule", as it likely won't apply to them.
NEVERTHELESS, as I noted in my original posting above, it is very imprudent to schedule a connection time of only 15 minutes between trains, especially if connecting FROM an unreserved regionale or an Intercity train, as short delays are commonplace (and delays of Intercity trains are even more common). Moreover, delays become more pronounced during bad weather. Consequently, while it's a good thing to know about the "15-minute" connection rule, it's a good practice to allow at least 30 minutes connection time between train (and even longer if connecting FROM a long distance Intercity train).
If you MISS your connection to a Trenitalia RESERVED train, go to the customer assistance office at the connecting train station (or the customer assistance mobile desk for Freccia trains) and seek assistance.
If your OFFICIAL CONNECTION TIME is at least 15 minutes, you SHOULD indeed be accommodated without incurring a penalty or premium.
Note that missed connections from OTHER train operators (such as the Circumvesuviana commuter train or competitor Italo Treno) are NOT recognized by Trenitalia, nor are missed connections due to other reasons such as: traffic jams while driving to the train station, waking up late in the morning, taking the wrong route to the train station, late-arriving airplanes or ships, civil disturbances, injury or illness of the passenger, etc.
DON'T FORGET that if you are holding a BASE fare ticket for a RESERVED train (and not one of the discounted tickets), you ALWAYS have a ONE HOUR GRACE PERIOD to re-book, free of charge, to a later-departing train in case you MISS your originally scheduled train, for ANY REASON (even not attributable to Trenitalia, such as a late arriving plane). Should you miss the train by MORE THAN ONE HOUR, due to a VERY LATE Trenitalia connecting train, you should contact the Trenitalia customer assistance staff for re-booking. The 15-minute connection rule should be followed in this case.
Having just returned from a trip to Italy, I had occasion to question FIVE different Trenitalia customer assistance staff (two at Roma Termini and three at Firenze SMN), and (contrary to the inconsistent replies received during my trip in 2012) I received five CONSISTENT answers to my question concerning missed connections FROM a Trenitalia UNRESERVED (regionale) train TO a Trenitalia RESERVED train, when holding a discounted ticket on the RESERVED train: the MINIMUM OFFICIAL CONNECTION TIME between trains must be 15 minutes in order to receive AUTHORIZATION to board a later-departing RESERVED train without incurring a penalty or premium. THERE IS NO DISTINCTION IN THE MINIMUM CONNECTION TIME BETWEEN UNRESERVED AND RESERVED TRAINS, IT'S ALWAYS 15 MINUTES**.
**As a technical matter, most Trenitalia stations require a 10-minute connection between trains. Only the following stations require 15 minutes: Bologna Centrale, Firenze S.M.N., Milano Centrale, Napoli Centrale, Roma Termini, Torino P.N., Villa San Giovanni. See the footnote to Paragraph 7.3 of the Trenitalia Offical Tariff Rules for National Trains. However, for practical purposes, travellers should forget about the "10-minute connection rule", as it likely won't apply to them.
NEVERTHELESS, as I noted in my original posting above, it is very imprudent to schedule a connection time of only 15 minutes between trains, especially if connecting FROM an unreserved regionale or an Intercity train, as short delays are commonplace (and delays of Intercity trains are even more common). Moreover, delays become more pronounced during bad weather. Consequently, while it's a good thing to know about the "15-minute" connection rule, it's a good practice to allow at least 30 minutes connection time between train (and even longer if connecting FROM a long distance Intercity train).
If you MISS your connection to a Trenitalia RESERVED train, go to the customer assistance office at the connecting train station (or the customer assistance mobile desk for Freccia trains) and seek assistance.
If your OFFICIAL CONNECTION TIME is at least 15 minutes, you SHOULD indeed be accommodated without incurring a penalty or premium.
Note that missed connections from OTHER train operators (such as the Circumvesuviana commuter train or competitor Italo Treno) are NOT recognized by Trenitalia, nor are missed connections due to other reasons such as: traffic jams while driving to the train station, waking up late in the morning, taking the wrong route to the train station, late-arriving airplanes or ships, civil disturbances, injury or illness of the passenger, etc.
DON'T FORGET that if you are holding a BASE fare ticket for a RESERVED train (and not one of the discounted tickets), you ALWAYS have a ONE HOUR GRACE PERIOD to re-book, free of charge, to a later-departing train in case you MISS your originally scheduled train, for ANY REASON (even not attributable to Trenitalia, such as a late arriving plane). Should you miss the train by MORE THAN ONE HOUR, due to a VERY LATE Trenitalia connecting train, you should contact the Trenitalia customer assistance staff for re-booking. The 15-minute connection rule should be followed in this case.
Jun 15th, 2013, 03:45 AM
#3
>>>Note that missed connections from OTHER train operators<<<
I would think it would be the 15 minute rule for international connections too. Trenitalia has agreements with most of them (EC trains Switzerland, etc.). What about a regional train from Nice to catch a reserved IC train in Ventimiglia or similar border situations?
Good to know about the 15 minutes. Did you miss a few trains or just checking the rules?
I would think it would be the 15 minute rule for international connections too. Trenitalia has agreements with most of them (EC trains Switzerland, etc.). What about a regional train from Nice to catch a reserved IC train in Ventimiglia or similar border situations?
Good to know about the 15 minutes. Did you miss a few trains or just checking the rules?
Jun 15th, 2013, 06:27 AM
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kybourbon: you raise a good question which I did not discuss with Trenitalia customer assistance staff, nor researched through public sources. I'll remember to ask next year.
Bottom line, it's always a good idea to ASK Trenitalia customer assistance staff to be allowed to board a later-departing Trenitalia train in case of a MISSED connection FROM an international train (even if holding a discounted Trenitalia ticket such as the Economy or the Super Economy fare). I would not be completely surprised if Trenitalia applied the 15-minute connection rule to selected International trains as well.
Bottom line, it's always a good idea to ASK Trenitalia customer assistance staff to be allowed to board a later-departing Trenitalia train in case of a MISSED connection FROM an international train (even if holding a discounted Trenitalia ticket such as the Economy or the Super Economy fare). I would not be completely surprised if Trenitalia applied the 15-minute connection rule to selected International trains as well.
Jun 15th, 2013, 07:42 AM
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I found some discussion of this issue in Paragraph 7.3 of the Trenitalia Official Tariff Rules for International Trains (Part IV).
This provision states that Trenitalia MAY authorize a passenger to continue his trip on a later-departing Trenitalia train (even a train of higher category or higher class of service, without incurring additional charge) if he MISSES his reserved train owing to a late-arriving International train. Significantly, there is no mention of ANY minimum official connection time, which means that Trenitalia retains discretion in the matter (and may be further subject to International Rules).
Paragraph 1 of Part IV says that the rules apply to trains classified as Eurocity and Euronight (so I don't know whether the same rules apply to ALL International trains, such as the equivalent of the Trenitalia regionale trains).
Bottom line, ASK for assistance and chances are you MAY be accommodated.
This provision states that Trenitalia MAY authorize a passenger to continue his trip on a later-departing Trenitalia train (even a train of higher category or higher class of service, without incurring additional charge) if he MISSES his reserved train owing to a late-arriving International train. Significantly, there is no mention of ANY minimum official connection time, which means that Trenitalia retains discretion in the matter (and may be further subject to International Rules).
Paragraph 1 of Part IV says that the rules apply to trains classified as Eurocity and Euronight (so I don't know whether the same rules apply to ALL International trains, such as the equivalent of the Trenitalia regionale trains).
Bottom line, ASK for assistance and chances are you MAY be accommodated.
Jun 15th, 2013, 07:54 AM
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What about a regional train from Nice to catch a reserved IC train in Ventimiglia or similar border situations?>
No that is not an international train but a solely French train - yes it terminates at the border station Ventimiglia but you cannot say that is an international train. True international trains are those that begin in Switzerland and end well inside Italy - not just to Domodossola - that is solely a Swiss train.
There are very few international trains since Trenitalia decided to end most cross-border trains - like none to Nice or for the most part Austria - Paris-Milan trains would be international.
No that is not an international train but a solely French train - yes it terminates at the border station Ventimiglia but you cannot say that is an international train. True international trains are those that begin in Switzerland and end well inside Italy - not just to Domodossola - that is solely a Swiss train.
There are very few international trains since Trenitalia decided to end most cross-border trains - like none to Nice or for the most part Austria - Paris-Milan trains would be international.
Jun 15th, 2013, 10:10 AM
#7
The international service that Trenitalia still offers discounts for are Elipsos to Barcelona (does this still exist?), Thello to Paris, EC trains to Switzerland, night train to Munich and EC trains to Salzburg and Vienna.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD
Jun 15th, 2013, 11:15 AM
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I think that PalenQ is correct on this issue. I would regard the French regional train ending at Ventimiglia to be no different than the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Napoli Centrale. In other words, Trenitalia would not be obliged to protect passengers who missed their Trenitalia reserved train owing to a late connection from a French domestic train or a Circumvesuviana train (unless the passengers benefits from the one hour grace period for Trenitalia BASE fare tickets).
Part IV, Paragraph 1 of the Trenitalia Official Tariff Rules state that these rules apply to Eurocity and Euronight trains only.
Part IV, Paragraph 1 of the Trenitalia Official Tariff Rules state that these rules apply to Eurocity and Euronight trains only.
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