Trenitalia-why book in advance?
#21
Join Date: Jan 2007
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I book ahead, usually about 2 weeks, when I know exactly what ES train we'll want. The website works fine and it's nice to have one less thing to do once there, when time is at a premium. On the rare occasion when we wanted an earlier train I simply had an agent make the change--no fee.
For IC trains, obviously, we buy as needed at the station.
For IC trains, obviously, we buy as needed at the station.
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Maybe I've just never tried to get tickets on a holiday or something but I've never had an issue with getting tix on the train I wanted either a day before or 30-45 min. before I wanted to leave. I usually suggest people to wait because it allows for more flexibility. I can understand the "peace of mind" aspect of getting tickets early though.
#23
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My family group of 8 will be travelling by train in Italy in June. I was advised that if we purchased tickets close to our travel time we may not be seated near each other. We booked tickets on-line for our Venice to Florence trip on June 8 and were able to find seats together. We had no problems with the on-line purchase.
I plan to purchase all our train tickets in advance as soon as trenitalia loads their summer schedule. Wonder when trenitalia will provide full schedules beyond June 9?
May I ask a related question of the trenitalia experts? What is the procedure at the train station with the on-line tickets? Do we simply board the train with our purchase confirmation?
I plan to purchase all our train tickets in advance as soon as trenitalia loads their summer schedule. Wonder when trenitalia will provide full schedules beyond June 9?
May I ask a related question of the trenitalia experts? What is the procedure at the train station with the on-line tickets? Do we simply board the train with our purchase confirmation?
#24
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Mary, the summer schedules should be available 15 May. Details:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34990889
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34990889
#26
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If you got your tickets online using the ticketless option, then you just get on the train with your booking email. Make sure all the info is on it, including the PNR #. If you got your tickets online using the self service option you must go to a self service ticket machine. Key in your name and PNR# and you will get your ticket.
#28
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Yes, you can purchase ahead at the self-serve machines. ES tickets don't need to be validated but all others do. It won't hurt to validate an ES ticket so I do so to maintain the habit.
You validate your ticket just before you get on the train.
To validate a ticket, look for a small yellow machine with a red arrow. In larger stations like Rome, Florence and Venice, the machines will be just before you reach the beginning of the platform. At smaller stations, it might be inside the station. (Watch others to see what they do.) Stick one end of the ticket in the slot. You'll hear a noise--the machine is stamping your ticket with the date and time. Check your ticket to be sure the stamp worked. Now you can board your train.
You validate your ticket just before you get on the train.
To validate a ticket, look for a small yellow machine with a red arrow. In larger stations like Rome, Florence and Venice, the machines will be just before you reach the beginning of the platform. At smaller stations, it might be inside the station. (Watch others to see what they do.) Stick one end of the ticket in the slot. You'll hear a noise--the machine is stamping your ticket with the date and time. Check your ticket to be sure the stamp worked. Now you can board your train.
#29
Join Date: May 2006
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Thanks ellenem. I bought an IC ticket on trenitalia that has to be picked up through the self-serve machine. I'm traveling on the strike day so I assume the station will be a madhouse on that day so I will pick up the ticket a few days before (in Rome)and will remember to validate it right before boarding the train!
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