Venice to Rome (or reverse) for 15 or 30 Euros
Nov 9th, 2004, 06:35 AM
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Venice to Rome (or reverse) for 15 or 30 Euros
I've posted this information several times before, but it merits repetition, as the promotional fare is terrific, and the travel demand between Venice and Rome, an extremely popular route, is very high.
Regular rail fares are steep, particularly taking into account the unfavorable exchange rate with the U.S. Dollar: 67.14 Euros one way (first class, automatically reserved seat) on the Eurostar Italia train (ES); 52.63 Euros one way (first class reserved seat) on the Intercity train (IC).
But you can make the trip for as little as 15 Euros (seat reservation included) on the IC train, or for 30 Euros on the ES train, both in first class. Here's how:
1. You must purchase the ticket up to 60 days in advance, and no later than the day beforehand, by selecting the "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotional fare, which is valid for travel ONLY on a SATURDAY. Seats are capacity controlled, so advance reservations are strongly suggested. The ticket is nonrefundable, but a reservation change to a LATER departing train is allowed subject to restrictions and availability. You can purchase tickets through the Trenitalia website, or locally in Italy through a travel agency or at a rail station.
2. For only 15 Euros, you can travel in a comfortable, reserved first class seat on the sole Intercity train (IC) between these cities, which departs Venice at 13:23 (arrival Rome at 19:13); and departs Rome at 10:47 (arrival Venice at 16:37). This train runs between Venice and Naples, and makes more en-route stops than does the Eurostar train, particularly between Florence and Rome. There are 9 separate compartments with sliding glass doors, each seating six (three across facing each other), in each first class railcar. One railcar in each class of service is for smokers. The train is air conditioned and has a restaurant car.
3. For 30 Euros, you can travel in a comfortable, first class seat on any of the six Eurostar Italia trains (ES) which depart every two hours. Travel time is 4 hrs., 33 mins., or 77 minutes faster than the Intercity. It is for each traveller to decide whether the reduced travel time justifies the doubling of the promotional fare. There are approximately 52 seats, three across and facing each other in pairs, in each first class railcar. The train is totally nonsmoking, air conditioned, and has a restaurant car, as well as snack/beverage service on a rolling cart.
3. The 15 Euro promotional fare on the Intercity train represents a discount of 72% over the regular fare for reserved first class. The 30 Euro promotional fare on the Eurostar train represents a comparable discount of 55%. A great deal in either case.
4. There is really not a GREAT deal of difference between the Intercity and the Eurostar trains. The latter are more modern, a little smoother and quieter, and have slightly more comfortable seats. It is possible that some railcars of the Intercity train may have older seats which may be more soiled or ragged, though first class is usually clean. There is a complimentary welcome beverage, cookies/saltines and (morning only) Italian newspaper in Eurostar first class, a value of 3 Euros, but certainly nothing to brag about.
5. These promotional fares represent the least expensive mode of public transport between Venice and Rome.
www.trenitalia.com
Regular rail fares are steep, particularly taking into account the unfavorable exchange rate with the U.S. Dollar: 67.14 Euros one way (first class, automatically reserved seat) on the Eurostar Italia train (ES); 52.63 Euros one way (first class reserved seat) on the Intercity train (IC).
But you can make the trip for as little as 15 Euros (seat reservation included) on the IC train, or for 30 Euros on the ES train, both in first class. Here's how:
1. You must purchase the ticket up to 60 days in advance, and no later than the day beforehand, by selecting the "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotional fare, which is valid for travel ONLY on a SATURDAY. Seats are capacity controlled, so advance reservations are strongly suggested. The ticket is nonrefundable, but a reservation change to a LATER departing train is allowed subject to restrictions and availability. You can purchase tickets through the Trenitalia website, or locally in Italy through a travel agency or at a rail station.
2. For only 15 Euros, you can travel in a comfortable, reserved first class seat on the sole Intercity train (IC) between these cities, which departs Venice at 13:23 (arrival Rome at 19:13); and departs Rome at 10:47 (arrival Venice at 16:37). This train runs between Venice and Naples, and makes more en-route stops than does the Eurostar train, particularly between Florence and Rome. There are 9 separate compartments with sliding glass doors, each seating six (three across facing each other), in each first class railcar. One railcar in each class of service is for smokers. The train is air conditioned and has a restaurant car.
3. For 30 Euros, you can travel in a comfortable, first class seat on any of the six Eurostar Italia trains (ES) which depart every two hours. Travel time is 4 hrs., 33 mins., or 77 minutes faster than the Intercity. It is for each traveller to decide whether the reduced travel time justifies the doubling of the promotional fare. There are approximately 52 seats, three across and facing each other in pairs, in each first class railcar. The train is totally nonsmoking, air conditioned, and has a restaurant car, as well as snack/beverage service on a rolling cart.
3. The 15 Euro promotional fare on the Intercity train represents a discount of 72% over the regular fare for reserved first class. The 30 Euro promotional fare on the Eurostar train represents a comparable discount of 55%. A great deal in either case.
4. There is really not a GREAT deal of difference between the Intercity and the Eurostar trains. The latter are more modern, a little smoother and quieter, and have slightly more comfortable seats. It is possible that some railcars of the Intercity train may have older seats which may be more soiled or ragged, though first class is usually clean. There is a complimentary welcome beverage, cookies/saltines and (morning only) Italian newspaper in Eurostar first class, a value of 3 Euros, but certainly nothing to brag about.
5. These promotional fares represent the least expensive mode of public transport between Venice and Rome.
www.trenitalia.com
Nov 9th, 2004, 12:36 PM
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Let's say that you have a paper or electronic ticket for first class travel on the Eurostar Italia (ES) train departing Venice for Rome at 12:32 p.m. on a hypothetical Saturday, at the promotional "Sabato di Trenitalia" rate of 30 Euros per seat, but CHANGE YOUR MIND and want to depart LATER that same day.
What are your options?
1. You can REQUEST to change your seat reservation to the ES train departing later the same afternoon (14:32, 16:32 or 18:32), at the same promotional rate, so long as you do so NO LATER THAN ONE HOUR PRIOR to the scheduled departure time of your originally scheduled train.
2. IF IF IF seats are available at the promotional rate on one of the later departing ES trains, you will be allowed the change in reservation, at no additional cost. Otherwise, you will have the option of taking one of the later trains by paying the difference between the promotional rate and the regular fare (in this event, you could also request to travel in second class in order to pay less of a difference).
3. If you IGNORE the requirement to request a change in reservation within the timeframes noted above, and simply board a later departing ES train with your original ticket, you will be required to pay the full difference in fare, PLUS a fine of 8 Euros per seat. DON'T DO THIS! (You also won't have an assigned seat on the later departing train, which could be full).
BOTTOM LINE: it's really worthwhile to lock in the promotional rate if you are able to travel on a Saturday, and the regular fare is significantly higher than the promotional fare. Note, however, that you are NOT allowed to switch to an EARLIER departing ES train and still keep the promotional rate (you would need to pay the difference in fare).
What are your options?
1. You can REQUEST to change your seat reservation to the ES train departing later the same afternoon (14:32, 16:32 or 18:32), at the same promotional rate, so long as you do so NO LATER THAN ONE HOUR PRIOR to the scheduled departure time of your originally scheduled train.
2. IF IF IF seats are available at the promotional rate on one of the later departing ES trains, you will be allowed the change in reservation, at no additional cost. Otherwise, you will have the option of taking one of the later trains by paying the difference between the promotional rate and the regular fare (in this event, you could also request to travel in second class in order to pay less of a difference).
3. If you IGNORE the requirement to request a change in reservation within the timeframes noted above, and simply board a later departing ES train with your original ticket, you will be required to pay the full difference in fare, PLUS a fine of 8 Euros per seat. DON'T DO THIS! (You also won't have an assigned seat on the later departing train, which could be full).
BOTTOM LINE: it's really worthwhile to lock in the promotional rate if you are able to travel on a Saturday, and the regular fare is significantly higher than the promotional fare. Note, however, that you are NOT allowed to switch to an EARLIER departing ES train and still keep the promotional rate (you would need to pay the difference in fare).
Dec 28th, 2004, 09:44 AM
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Jan 4th, 2005, 08:02 AM
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The "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotion has been modified in significant ways. Read this important advisory message:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...+di+trenitalia
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...+di+trenitalia
