A few words about what's going on with Trenitalia:
1. New schedules become effective December 12, 2004, valid for one year.
2. Effective December 12, all domestic trains in Italy will become totally NON-SMOKING. The ONLY exceptions are certain international trains classified as Cisalpino (CIS), Artesia, Eurocity (EC) and Euronight (EN). Up to now, it was possible to smoke in one dedicated railcar in each class of service on Intercity (IC) trains. No longer so effective Sunday.
3. Effective December 12, the Trenitalia website will be enabled to purchase inter-European rail tickets and to view inter-European train schedules.
4. Effective December 12, the Trenitalia website will specify which Intercity (IC) trains are "Intercity Plus" ("ICplus"). ICplus trains will be configuered similar to Eurostar Italia (ES) trains. The separate compartments with sliding glass doors on "traditional" IC trains have been removed in favor of totally open-railcar seating. Second class railcars will have approx. 70 seats, four across. First class railcars will have approx. 50 seats, three across. Seats will be more ergonomically shaped, with seat bottoms pivoting forward to allow a modest recline. Illumination will be improved for nighttime travel. Seats will face each other, with a long working table in-between (useful for eating, and viewing personal DVD players and laptop computers). First class seats will have outlets for electronic equipment (although you may need a converter and adaptor). Restrooms will be much smaller and more modern, as on airplanes. The Trenitalia website has color photos of the newly refurbished ICplus railcars.
1. They are priced identical to "traditional" IC trains.
2. Seat reservations are optional, as on "traditional" IC trains.
3. "Ticketless" electronic reservations through the Trenitalia website are possible for ICPlus and Eurostar Italia trains, with the paper ticket being issued at your seat by the ticket agent. You bring with you your reservations code which you receive by e-mail. DO NOT LOSE THE CODE. This way, you don't have to wait in line at the train station to purchase a paper ticket. BEWARE: there are strict time restrictions for cancelling or exchanging electronic tickets, more stringent than is the case with paper tickets. Generally speaking, cancellations (with penalities) and exchanges of electronic tickets must be make no later than ONE HOUR after the departure time of the originally scheduled train. For paper tickets, the deadline is 24 hours afterwards. The complete rules should be consulted on the Trenitalia website.
4. Some people who wish to carry on quiet conversations with fellow travellers may prefer the separate compartments of the "traditional" IC trains. Others will prefer the open-air feel of the restyled railcars. Trenitalia saves a bunch of money by eliminating the compartments (and manages to fit more seats in second class).
5. Most ICplus trains are very long distance (e.g. Milan to Reggio di Calabria; Rome to Sicily) and have self-service restaurant cars.
6. All ICplus and "traditional" IC trains are entirely non-smoking (effective Dec. 12) and entirely air conditioned.
7. Both IC trains from Rome to Sicily (the "Peloritano" at 7:27 and the "Archimede" at 11:45) are ICplus trains.
1. Trenitalia is continuing its fantastic "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotional rates, valid ONLY for Saturday travel, and ONLY on Eurostar Italia (ES) trains and IC trains. Travel on any one ES train (or on any combination of ES and IC trains, or on multiple back-to back ES or IC trains), in FIRST or second class, regardless of distance, for as little as 30 Euros. Travel on any one IC train, in FIRST or second class, regardless of distance, for as little as 15 Euros. Reservations may be secured up to 60 days in advance, but no later than midnight of the day beforehand, through the Trenitalia website. You must register to do so. All travel must occur on a SATURDAY. Offer not valid on Eurocity (EC) or Cisalpino (CIS) or Artesia trains.
2. Trenitalia is also continuing is fantastic "Notti di Trenitalia" promotion: ANY NIGHT OF THE YEAR, on any Espresso (EXP) train or any Intercity Night (ICN) train, regardless of distance: 15 Euros for a first or second class seat, or 30 Euros for a couchette bunk, or 45 Euros for a wagons lits bed. Advance reservations recommended (up to 60 days in advance).
3. Examples of savings: Milan to Reggio di Calabria or Rome to Sicily on ICPlus train: 15 Euros in first class on any Saturday. Veice to Rome on ES train: 30 Euros in first class on any Saturday. Rome to Sicily on ICN train: 15 Euros in first class any night of the year.
Effective December 12, Trenitalia will inaugurate a special "low cost" Eurostar train once daily between Rome-Tiburtina Station and Milan-Lambrate Station, for the incredibly low fixed price of 9 Euros, subject to the following restrictions:
1. Fare of 9 Euros is valid for all seats (there is no distinction between first and second class, although the website lists them as second class). Fare is valid regardless of distance travelled. You can board or get off the train at intermediate stations for the same low price.
2. Ticket is valid exclusively for the day and itinerary selected. No reservation changes of any kind. Ticket is non fefundable and non changeable.
3. Ticket does not qualify for the Trenitalia Eurostar "bonus" due to late arrival or non-functioning air conditioning.
4. Ticket must be purchased in one of the following ways:
thru www.trenok.com thru www.trenitalia.com thru a self service machine at the station thru the national reservations center telephone number 892021
5. First train departs from Rome-Tiburtina Station on Sunday December 12 at 6:40 a.m., with arrival at Milan Lambrate Station at 11:25 a.m.
6. Return from Milan Lambrate at 19:53 with arrival at Tiburtina at 0:24.
7. Intermediate stops at Firenze-Campo di Marte Station (NOT S.M. Novella), Bologna Centrale and Milan-Rogoredo Station.
8. There is metro service to Tiburtina from Termini Station in Rome, and metro service to Lambrate from Milano Centrale Station.
9. Train is entirely non-smoking, entirely air conditioned, and does NOT have a restaurant car.
10. Train is an older-model Eurostar Italia ETR 450, with approx. 400 seats.
11. All seats will be sold on a reserved basis.
12. NO TICKETS SOLD THROUGH TRAVEL AGENCIES OR AT MANNED RAIL STATION TICKET WINDOWS.
13. With the exception of Bologna Centrale, this train departs and arrives at SECONDARY STATIONS. The idea is patterned after the low-cost air carriers which operate out of secondary European airports.
14. Train is identified as "Tok" on the Trenitalia website.
15. The regular second class Eurostar Italia fare between Rome and Milan is 46.48 Euros, so the "LOW COST" "Tok" fare of 9 Euros represents a savings of 81%.
16. This is a terrific deal if you don't mind the inconvenient departure/arrival times and don't mind leaving from and arriving at these secondary train stations.
17. This is a pilot program which may be extended to other trains and to other routes in the future, based in part on the results of the pilot.
18. Reservations are available up to 60 days in advance of travel.
19. Remember, these tickets CANNOT be purchased face-to-face with a sales agent.
20. Tickets are electronic. You are given a reservations code via e-mail which is exchanged for a paper ticket directly on the train.
Thanks for providing such detailed information! Now that I have all my hotel & B/B reservations done for our April 2005 trip, I was starting on the transportation. Learning about Europe's train schedules and stops is a bit more challenging for me to figure out. (This is only my second trip and my friend's first) I will definitely study your information.
Hopefully, we won't end up in some distant Italian town miles away from where we're supposed to be. But if it did, it will be one of those unexpected travel adventures that we all encounter from time to time! My motto when traveling is be prepared for the unexpected, don't sweat the small stuff or worry about things that happen beyond our control and above all, just have fun!
P.S. To be honest, I'm glad some of the trains went non-smoking.
Posts: 790 | Location: California | Registered: 19 September 2004
I've just gotten the new e-newsletter, and see that on Intercity trains it's now possible to reserve right before departure, even from an intermediate stop after the train has left its starting point. The Trenitalia site says:
quote:With the new reservation procedure, the reservation tags will no longer be displayed on board trains. We therefore request our customers’ co-operation in leaving the seat free should travellers with a reservation slip arrive to take their seat. All seats from number 71 to number 86 in every carriage will nonetheless not be available for reservations and therefore free for those travellers who have not made any reservations.
Alice's train pages describe this as happening on a minority of trains; now it looks like it happens on all Intercity trains; it looks like a good reason to reserve even when it isn't required.
It will be either this week or during the Christmas period, when I will have a little more free time. The good part is that now I own a much desired (but I never got around buying it) USB memory thing, so I can do all the stuff at home inestead of wasting working time. Hey,m is it good news?!
Trenitalia has indicated that its new "low cost" Eurostar Italia train between Rome-Tiburtina and Milan-Lambrate is nearly fully booked through February 2005.
The first "low cost" Eurostar train departed Rome-Tiburtina on time at 6:40 a.m. on Sunday December 12, headed to Milan-Lambrate.
Until further notice, service will be once daily in each direction.
Trenitalia next plans to lauch "low cost" Eurostar service between Rome and Bari and Rome and Reggio di Calabria.
The ETR 450 equipment dates to 1987, has 390 common rated seats in 9 railcars, is 236 meters (774 feet) in length, and reaches a top speed of 250 km./hr. (155 mi./hr.)
The most modern Eurostar equipment is even faster, and can accommodate up to 590 passengers.
The "Notti di Trenitalia" promotion is a particularly good deal, as it is available ANY NIGHT OF THE YEAR on any Intercity Night (ICN) or Espresso (EXP) train.
For 15 Euros, you can reserve a first class seat on any ICN or EXP train, regardless of distance travelled.
For example, the ICN "Conca d'Oro" train, which departs nightly from Rome Termini at 23:00, arrives the next morning at 10:15 in Palermo Centrale, and at 10:05 at Siracusa (the train divides at Messina).
The regular reserved first class fare to Palermo is 69.29 Euros, or 66.17 Euros to Siracusa. The promotional fare of 15 Euros represents a savings of 78% to Palermo and 77% to Siracusa.
You can lock in the promotional fare up to 60 days beforehand, but no later than midnight of the day prior to departure.
You can always modify your reservation to any LATER departing train (e.g. the Conca d'Oro departing the next evening) as long as you do so no later than 12 noon of the day you're originally scheduled to depart. So there's quite a bit of flexibility allowed.
In lieu of a first class seat, for 30 Euros, you can request a couchette, and for 45 Euros, you can request a space in a sleeping compartment (although the Conca d'Oro apparently only has sleeping compartments and not couchettes). For couchettes, you would need to take one of the EXP trains.
So, you can travel from Rome to Sicily any night of the year at the incredibly low fare of 15 Euros, in a comfortable, reserved first class seat. There is no cheaper mode of public transportation available.
Travel time to Palermo is 11 hrs. 15 mins. and 11 hrs. 5 mins. to Siracusa. The train crosses the Straits of Messina around 6 a.m., and leaves Messina after 7:00 a.m.
On the westbound run to Palermo, eight intermediate stops are made along the northern Sicilian coastline, including Milazzo (arrival 7:32 a.m.) and Cefalu (arrival 9:27 a.m.).
On the southbound run to Siracusa, the train stops in Taormina (7:58 a.m.), Catania Centrale (8:40 a.m.), as well as four other towns.
UPDATE: the "Notti di Trenitalia" promotional fare is no longer available, and has been folded into the new "Liberta' di Viaggiare" ("Freedom to Travel") promotional fare, which allows travel on the Conca d'Oro ICN train to Sicily for a little as 15 Euros. The Conca d'Oro does not carry couchettes, and the sleeping compartments are the "Excelsior" luxury brand which are available only for the full fare (no discounted rate). However, there are several other Espresso (EXP) trains to Sicily which do offer both couchettes and regular sleeping accommodations for as low as 30 or 45 Euros each with the promotional rate.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GAC,
GAC: as of tomorrow I will (hopefully) will be able to start working on the trains section again. Could I reuse some of your text here and there? (Obviously you will be credited for it.)
Certamente. My aim is always to attempt to provide the most accurate, timely and useful information available to the travelling public, particularly info. about promotional fares.
I can't stress enough what a good deal are the Trenitalia promotional rates. Besides the "Notti di Trenitalia", valid any night of the year, there is the fantastic "Sabato di Trenitalia", valid on any Intercity (IC), Intercity Plus (ICplus) or Eurostar Italia (ES) train on any SATURDAY: 15 Euros in reserved first or second class on any single IC or ICplus train, and 30 Euros in reserved first or second class on any single ES train, or any combination of back-to-back ES, IC and/or ICplus trains, and regardless of distance travelled.
So for example, On any SATURDAY, you can travel from Rome Termini to either Palermo Centrale or Siracusa on either of the two ICplus trains "Peloritano" (departs 7:27) or "Archimede" (departs 11:45), in a comfortable, reserved, first class seat, for only 15 Euros, which is a savings of 80% over the regular reserved first class fare of 76.65 Euros for Palermo (slighly less for Siracusa).
These are both ICplus trains, which means that they have the look and feel of an ES train, but at half the promotional rate! In first class, seats are three across, are ergonomically contoured, pivot forward to provide a modest recline, and are facing each other with a long working table in between. There are outlets for electronic gear such as laptops and personal dvd players to help pass the time (although you may need a converter and adaptor).
The scenery is very nice south of Salerno, and it's worth taking the earlier train in order to reach Palermo or Siracusa during daylight (the Peloritano crosses the Straits of Messina around 14:00).
The two trains are fully air conditioned, entirely non-smoking, and have a self-service dining car.
The 15 Euro Saturday promotional fare includes the seat reservation, and can be purchased as much as 60 days beforehand, but no later than midnight of the day beforehand.
If your travel plans change, you are allowed a change in reservation, to a LATER departing train, no later than one hour prior to the departure time of your originally scheduled train. Electronic reservations are allowed through the Trenitalia website. You take your e-mail confirmation (with railcar and seat number provided) on the train and are give a paper ticket by the agent once on board. This avoids having to stand in line at the station.
If your revised travel plans require you to take a different train wholly outside of the promotional rate, you are given 15 Euros credit towards purchase of the full-fare ticket (so you don't lose any money).
Travel time to Palermo is just under 11 hours. The Peloritano makes three stops between Rome and Naples, where the Archimede makes none, but otherwise the number of en-route stops is identical for both trains, and total travel time to destination is nearly identical.
My preference is for the earlier train, as explained above.
You can take either of these trains also if your destination in Sicily is Milazzo (for the Aeolian Islands), Cefalu, Taormina or Catania, as well as a couple of other towns. By clicking on the train number on the website, you can print out the full listing of intermediate stops. It's fun to trace your rail itinerary on a detailed map of Italy.
REMEMBER, the "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotional fare is available only on SATURDAYS, whereas the "Notti di Trenitalia" is available nightly.
UPDATE: the "Sabato di Trenitalia.com" promotional fare is no longer available, but you can now purchase the Rome to Palermo (or Rome to Taormina/Catania/Siracusa) leg for as little as 15 Euros, reserved first or second class, any day of the week, with the "Liberta' di Viaggiare" ("Freedom to Travel") promotional fare. Both the "Peloritano" and the "Archimede" are ICplus trains, with upgraded seating accommodations, and ALL SEATS SOLD ON A RESERVED-ONLY BASIS, JUST AS ON EUROSTAR ITALIA TRAINS.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GAC,
I've tried to the find the promo fare for Saturday travel on-line that you mention but am having no luck. Is this only for a particular city pair? I'm trying Saturdays in February for Rome-Florence, Florence-Venice. The only fares that display are normal 1st/2nd class and I can't find anything that mentions Sabato di Trenitalia in the special promos button.
Dianne: here's how to find the "sabato di trenitalia" promotional fares:
1. You must enter a Saturday date of travel. 2. When you see the list of available trains, click on the red shopping cart icon on the right hand side of the screen. Obviously, you must select either an IC, ICplus or ES train, as the promotional fare does not extend to other train types. 3. Directly underneath the "full price" information you will read, in red: "For other fares, discounts or promotions, CLICK HERE. 4."Il Sabato di Trenitalia" is at the bottom right of the long list of promotional fares. 5. Enter the number of passengers in your party, and DON'T FORGET to select first class as your choice (as the promotional fare is the same regardless of class of travel). Click on the blue purchase shopping cart. 6. If the promotional fare is indeed available for that train on that particular Saturday, you'll see a seating chart "Seats position", where you need to select your desired seat (you are not actually selecting a specific seat, but rather a seat position (i.e. next to the window or next to the central corridor. Note that first class has twin seats on one side and a single seat on the other side). 7. Select the ticketless option button. 8. Click "Go" 9. You'll be asked to enter your user-ID and password. 10. You'll be asked for your credit card 11. And so on.
BEWARE: there are strict rules about changing an electronic ticket reservation. Generally speaking, you must request any such reservations change (free of charge) no later than the departure time of the train for which you are currently scheduled. DO NOT board a different train from the one for which you are scheduled, or you will pay a fine of 8 Euros.
If you miss your scheduled train and do not reschedule within ONE HOUR afterwards, your electronic ticket loses all value!
Remember too, that with the Sabato di Trenitalia promotion, any change of reservations must be to a LATER DEPARTING train (and within the timeframes of the promotion, meaning on a Saturday). If you request a change to an earlier departing train, you must pay the difference between the promotional fare and the full fare (but you won't lose what you've already paid).
Let me give an example: you have an electronic ticket (Sabato di Trenitalia promotion) on the 10:30 ES train, but need to take the ES train departing at 11:30. Take your electronic ticket to the station ticket counter and request a change to the later departing train. If there are still seats available on the later train at the promotional rate, the change won't cost you a penny. If instead, you want to take the ES train departing at 9:30, you have to pay the difference between the full fare and the 30 Euro promotional fare (difference is 12.35 Euros in first class; if you select second class for the earlier train, you won't pay a penny more, but won't get a refund either).
I suggest that you read the complete rules (in English) for both the "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotion and the "Ticketless your electronic ticket" option.
Purchasing electronic tickets in advance through the Trenitalia website makes a great deal of sense if you're going with the "Sabato di Trenitalia" or "Notti di Trenitalia" promotion; otherwise, I would be more inclined to wait until arrival in Italy to purchase a full-fare rail ticket (unless I were travelling during peak season on a heavily travelled route where there are very few train options). Between Rome and Florence there are ES train every 15 to 60 minutes; between Rome and Naples and Rome and Milan there are ES trains hourly; and between Rome and Venice and Milan and Naples there are ES trains every two hours.
Between Milan and Venice there is an ES or IC train at least every hour.
Some other reasons why the promotional fares are not appearing on the screen:
1. You did not enter a Saturday date of travel (for "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotion)
2. You entered a date more than 60 days out (you can't reserve space more than 60 days out, nor will the promotional rates appear more than 60 days out (this applies to the "Notti di Trenitalia" as well as the "Low Cost Eurostar" promotional rates.
3. You entered a date which is in the past.
4. You entered today's date (THIS IS THE MOST COMMON ERROR), and the train has already departed (since Italy is 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time).
BEWARE: When searching the schedules on the website, you should ALWAYS try to enter your ACTUAL planned date of travel, since schedules do often change on Fridays, Saturdays and especially on Sundays. If you search on some different date, you may end up looking at a particular train departure which does not operate on your actual date of travel, and you may miss seeing other trains which don't appear on the screen, but which will operate on your actual date of travel. So, it is always preferable to enter your actual date rather than some hypothetical date (unless you're only interested in the general scheme of things).
I just read an intriguing report from a reliable source that very soon, there will be a daily "LOW COST EUROSTAR" train for 9 Euros between Rome Tiburtina and VENICE MESTRE!!!!!!
The regular reserved second class Eurostar fare between Rome and Venice is 44.93 Euros, so the superdiscounted fare of 9 Euros equals a savings of 80%. You still need to pay one Euro to get from central Rome to Tiburtina Station by metro, and another one Euro or so go get from the MESTRE train station to Venice Santa Lucia or Piazzale Roma.
I have shopped every Saturday from 12/25/2004 through 2/19/2005 (inside 60 days)and the only one where this promotion shows up (Rome-Florence) is for 12/25/2004. Maybe the promotion is over at the end of this year?
Dianne: you are so correct. I also can't seem to find any "Sabato di Trenitalia" sales after tomorrow. Interestingly, the "Notti di Trenitalia" promotional fare does indeed continue into 2005.
Perhaps the computer system has not yet been programmed with "Sabato di Trenitalia" for 2005. I'd check again in January. Perhaps, as you suggest, the promotion has been discontinued, although no mention of its curtailment is found on the Trenitalia website OR, as far as I can tell, in the Italian Press.
This morning I sent an e-message to Trenitalia to inquire about the fate of the "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotional fare for 2005. I hope to provide an update later.
Effective January 10, 2005, and reservable beginning January 1, 2005, a small percentage of seats (both first and second class) on all 130 Eurostar Italia (ES) trains in Italy will be sold at the flat promotional rate of 29 Euros, regardless of distance travelled on a single ES train, and (most importantly), ANY DAY OF THE WEEK (OR WEEKEND).
In essence, the "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotional rate of 30 Euros for ES trains has been extended DAILY, for as little as 29 Euros.
When seats at the rate of 29 Euros are sold out, more seats will be sold for 39 Euros, subject to availability.
All such seats are capacity controlled, so the sooner you book, the more likely to get the lowest rate. You can book up to 60 days in advance, but no later than midnight of the day beforehand.
The longer your trip, the greater the savings. For example, a party of four travelling between Rome and Venice on an ES train can save up to 152.56 Euros (over US$200) with this promotional rate.
The savings apply ANY DAY OF THE WEEK on all 130 Eurostar Italia trains in Italy.
I expect that more promotional rates may be offered in the near future for Intercity (IC) trains.
According to preliminary and unofficial Italian news reports, approximately 30 seats per Eurostar Italia (ES) train will be sold for 29 Euros, plus an additional 60 seats for 39 Euros. Only one-third of these seats will be in first class.
The foregoing is based on a typical ES train accommodating 590 passengers in both classes of service, although some trains accommodate fewer.
Thus, locking into the deeply discounted fare will often require booking many days in advance, or being flexible with respect to the train choice, particularly on routes which have less frequent ES service. Nevertheless, the fact that there is such frequent ES service between Rome and Florence makes this promotional offer particularly attractive.
A party of four travelling between Venice and Naples on an ES train can save up to 208 Euros (over US$280) with this promotional rate.
A party of four travelling between Milan and Salerno on an ES train can save up to 236.84 Euros (over US$320) with promotional rate.
And so on .... all commencing January 10, 2005.
BTW, I don't believe you will yet find any other information in English about this new initiative, which has not even been reported yet on the Trenitalia website.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GAC,
Thanks for this info GAC. In shopping around for this new offer today (1/1/05) I am not sure what promotional code to look for. Do you have that information of would it automatically price at the 29 euro (or 39 euro) if it's available?
The Trenitalia website has been updated to reflect the new "Eurostar a 29/30 Euro" promotion as well as important CHANGES to the "Sabato di Trenitalia" promotion. I address both below:
"EUROSTAR A 29/39 EURO"
This promotion is described by me above. Here are additional important details (from the "Regolamento" (Rules), currently in Italian only:
1. Promotion expires April 30, 2005 (unless extended) 2. Reservations accepted immediately, for travel BEGINING on January 10 (so, on the website, you must enter a date on or after January 10) 3. Valid on a single ES train (no back-to-back trains, as is the case with "Sabato di Trenitalia") 4. Seats are limited and variable according to day and week of departure and specific train (so, if you can't get the 29/39 rate, try a different train or a different date) 5. Ticket is valid only for the train and on the date reserved. 6. Sales via internet, national call centre, self-service machines, manned rail station ticket windows, and authorized travel agencies. 7. RESERVATIONS CHANGES: allowed up to ONE HOUR prior to departure time of orignally scheduled train, for a CHANGE FEE OF 5 Euros (this is new), and always subject to seat avalability, provided the new reservation is for a LATER DEPARTING ES train. NO CHANGES ALLOWED BY INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE (which means you must go to a manned train station in Italy or the travel agency which issued you the ticket)
8. TICKET EXCHANGES: within ONE HOUR prior to departure time of originally scheduled train, you may EXCHANGE your promotional ticket for a new ticket at full fare by PAYING THE DIFFERENCE between the promotional fare already paid, and the full fare of the new ticket. So, you are given full credit for the money already paid. YOU MUST ADDITIONALLY PAY AN EXCHANGE FEE OF 5 EUROS (this is new). This comes in handy in case you decide to take an earlier (rather than a later) ES train, or if there are no remaining seats at the promotional rate on the newly selected train, or even if you change itinerary, and there are no seats remaining at the promotional rate on this new train.
"IL SABATO DI TRENITALIA" BECOMES "IL SABATO DI TRENITALIA.COM"
Here are the important changes, effective January 1, 2005:
1. You must purchase the ticket through www.trenitalia.com, or via the national call center in Italy (telephone 892021)
2. RESERVATION CHANGES: up to ONE HOUR prior to departure time of originally scheduled train, you may request a change to a LATER DEPARTING train, always travelling on a Saturday, and always subject to availability of seats at the promotional rate. Changes requested by telephone or via the website allowed only if travel is on ONE SINGLE ES, IC or ICplus train (this is new). Otherwise (if involving back-to- back trains, or if seats at promotional rate no longer available), you must follow the EXCHANGE rules described below.
3. TICKET EXCHANGES: within ONE HOUR prior to departure time of originally scheduled train, you may request a ticket exchange at any manned railstation, or at the travel agency with sold you the original ticket, by paying an EXCHANGE FEE OF 5 EUROS (this is new), as well as the DIFFERENCE IN PRICE between the promotional rate and the full fare for the new train.
4. IL SABATO DI TRENITALIA.COM tickets are otherwise NON-REFUNDABLE.
Now, is everything clear??
I encourage you to read the full rules on the website (which are currently only in Italian, but which likely will be translated soon into English).
It seems there's a computer glitch in their software (in English). The boxes are there but the message says "Offerta commerciale non valida" vs. the 29 and 39 euro verbiage on the Italian site. I am leary to purchase on the english version because of this.
If this is not fixed by Thursday, I will have to purchase in Italian and am hoping it is pretty self-explanatory. Once you get to the sign in page, you have already chosen your dates, route, class and seat preference. I assume the only thing left is payment information and an option to print your confirmation?
Dianne: go ahead and click on the box which reads: "Offerta Commerciale Non valida" on the bottom left of the promotions page (the bottom right box is for the 39 Euro fare). I'm certain that this is a programming software error which will be corrected soon. Be sure to select first class at the bottom of the page. You will be taken to the page showing travel for 29 Euros. You should then be able to proceed in English. If you prefer, you can select the Italian language version, which apparently does not have the programming error.
Well, today is 60 days from March 7th but tickets are not for sale for this travel date on the website. Under buy it still says no vs. the little shopping cart.
Another mystery yet to be solved. My theory is someone forgot there were only 28 days in February.
Nevertheless, tickets are available for purchase electronically for March 6 and, were you to act upon this immediately, you would be one of the very first persons in the world to book so soon!
Nevertheless, yours is a good catch.
Fortunately, getting discount seats on Trenitalia ES, IC, ICN and EXP trains is not as difficult as obtaining frequent flier seats on most airlines.
I'm in the same boat, counting down the days until I'm 60 days out from our trip. I've always waited to purchase tickets until I'm there, but this sounds like a good deal.
My concern is that I've heard that fees are charged to purchase tickets on the web site or in advance which might negate any savings, but I've not found any mention of fees on the site.
chrisv
Posts: 814 | Location: Birch Bay, WA | Registered: 02 December 2002
Trenitalia's advance purchase promotional fares are still fairly new, and the vast majority of the Italian public is not used to purchasing rail tickets more than a couple of days beforehand, unless they are aiming to secure sleeping accommodations.
Now that Trenitalia has introduced the "Low Cost" Eurostar for 9 Euros, as well as the seasonal "Eurostar a 29/39 Euro", more Italians (as well as foreigners) will be paying attention, and will begin to purchase more in advance.
As for the "Sabato di Trenitalia.com", it is certainly useful to book in advance during the summer months, when lots of foreigners use the Italian rail system. During the winter and soft shoulder months, it should not be necessary to book these fares 60 days in advance, although you certainly may if your travel plans are very firm.
It is evident that Trenitalia is offering more and more incentives for travellers to purchase tickets in advance, at considerable savings. This benefits Trenitalia inasmuch as it gives the company an advance look at the demand for seats on any particular train, and thereby an indication of whether to add or remove railcars. This in turn helps the Italian rail system operate more efficiently and over time at lower cost.
When considering how far in advance to book, consider the following factors:
1. Season of travel 2. Day of the week 3. Departure time of day 4. Travelling around the holiday weekends 5. Number of Eurostar or Intercity trains per day on specific route 6. Your own desire to retain flexibility 7. Specific rules re: reservations changes and ticket exchanges 8. Amount of savings with promotional ticket
Here is an extreme example of the desirability of booking well in advance:
You are travelling during the month of August,, early on a Saturday morning, between Rome Termini and Palermo Centrale, on the 7:27 ICplus train "Peloritano". You want a reserved first class seat. You know that there is only one other IC train between these city pairs later in the day (ICplus "Archimede" at 11:45). Your travel plans are firm, and you'll be saving over 60 Euros per ticket by choosing the "Sabato di Trenitalia.com" promotional fare. There are 4 in your travelling party, so your total savings will approach US$ 325.
The foregoing represents an example of when you would want to book close to 60 days in advance.
Let me give another example of the tremendous savings available with Trenitalia's promotional fares, and specifically "Sabato di Trenitalia.com" (Saturday travel only):
From Milano Centrale to Reggio di Calabria Centrale, departing on the ICplus train no. 589 at 8:48, arriving at 21:40, no changes whatsoever. Regular fare for reserved first class: 89.20 Euros. Promotional fare: 15 Euros. Discount of 83%, A party of four saves nearly 300 Euros, or US$ 400.
ALTERATIVELY, you could take back-to-back Eurostar trains for the promotional rate of 30 Euros: depart Milano Centrale 9:00, arrive Rome Termini 13:30, lv. 13:45, arrive Reggio di Calabria Centrale 20:00. Regular fare in first class: 111.45 Euros. Discount of 73%. A party of four saves 325 Euros, or about US$ 440.
WHICH IS BETTER? I'd say the ICplus train for 15 Euros.
1. It's half the price of the back-to-back Eurostars.
2. You avoid the connection in Rome, and the possibility of missing the onward train
3. The ICplus train has the same look and feel of a Eurostar, with newly upholstered, contoured, pivoting seats, working tables, electrical outlets for laptop computers and personal DVDs, enhanced lighting for night travel, is fully airconditioned and has a self- service dining car for this long trip.
4. Travel time on the ICplus is only two hours more than on the back-to-back Eurostars (13 versus 11 hours), owing in part to more en- route stops.
N.B.: the promotional rate is available only on Saturdays and only via the trenitalia website or the national call center in Italy, and can be booked up to 60 days in advance, but no later than midnight of the day beforehand. Tickets are non-refundable, but can be exchanged for different tickets, by paying an exchange fee of 5 Euros, PLUS the DIFFERENCE in price between the promotional fare (15 or 30 Euros, as the case may be, already paid) and the full fare. You can also re-book the single ICplus train (but NOT the back-to-back trains) for the same itinerary, to a LATER (not earlier) Saturday date for no additional fee.
UPDATE: While the "Sabato di Trenitalia.com" promotional fare is no longer available, this itinerary can now be purchased any day of the week, at the same fare of 15 Euros, reserved first or second class seat, with the "Liberta' di Viaggiare" ("Freedom to Travel") promotional fare, involving a single IC or ICplus train. The "back to back" Eurostar Italia fare of 30 Euros on Saturdays is no longer available. The lowest "back to back" fare for two successive ES trains is now 58 Euros, or quite a bit more than the 15 Euro-fare with "Liberta' di Viaggiare". The direct ICplus train between Milano Centrale and Reggio di Calabria Centrale, however, often runs late (even by several hours).
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GAC,
Well GAC, a lot of good my perspicaciousness has done me. Today at 6:00:01PM EST, I can now choose "buy" for March 7th, but after I pick my travel date, choose 29 euro special, select 3 seats and first class, I am asked to sign in. Once I do this and choose "avanti", I get a message that says "servizio chiuso alle prenotazioni".
I fear one more computer glitch has thwarted my plan to be the first seats booked on the 10:30 from Rome to Florence.
I would welcome any advice you have to offer, but in the meantime will continue to fight on.
Success. Confirmation printed and e-mail received from trenitalia. Maybe the computer turns out to be smarter than I thought and made me wait until after midnight.
Dianne: congratulations on finally securing your seats. FYI, between Rome and Florence, train service is so frequent(every 30-60 minutes) that you would not have had any trouble securing seats on Eurostar Italia trains at the promotional fare of 29 Euros, even by purchasing closer to your actual travel date.
But you don't need to fiddle with the Trenitalia reservations system any longer, as apparently you're all set!
Thanks so much for the train info. I just bought my tickets for March, Rome-Venice, Eurostar, first class for 29 euro !! And when it's 60 days out, I'll get the Venice-Milan tickets.
I'm so proud. Now, one question. Since I have a piece of paper to show the ticket man on the train and not a real ticket, do I need to stamp my paper in the little machine? Doesn't seem like there's anyway to do that, but maybe I'm supposed to figure it out...
Thanks, Callie
Posts: 660 | Location: Maine | Registered: 23 November 2002
No, if you have a ticketless reservation, there's no need to stamp your printout. For your Venice-Milan trip, are you planning to go on an Intercity on Saturday, and getting the Sabato di Trenitalia fare of 15 euros? Otherwise, if you're thinking of going for the 29/39 fare, even a first class Eurostar on that route shows a regular fare of 28.92, so there's no point in getting the special fare as I understand it.
Andrew
Posts: 3763 | Location: Midwest U.S. | Registered: 22 February 2004
Thanks Andrew. I hadn't even looked at the fares. We'll be traveling on a Thursday I think and for that trip, 2nd class will be just fine. But now that I know I can do it, I'll get the tickets before we leave.
Callie
Posts: 660 | Location: Maine | Registered: 23 November 2002
The postings by grif305 and Calle B. are illustrative of the fact that, before considering the advisability of locking into one of Trenitalia's promotional discount fares in advance (such as the "Eurostar a 29 Euros"), it is necessary to check what the "regular" unrestricted fare is!
On some routes, such as Milan/Venice, there is no savings whatsoever (unless you travel on a Saturday with a Sabato di Trenitalia.com ticket on an Intercity (IC) train).
On other routes, such as Rome/Florence or Florence/Venice, the regular fare in second class on an Eurostar (ES) train is very close to 29 Euros, so the "Eurostar a 29 Euros" promotional fare essentially gives you a free upgrade to first class, and nothing more.
Inasmuch as all of these promotional fares have significant restrictions with respect to reservation changes/reroutings/exchanges (you really must read the fine print on the Trenitalia site), it is usually NOT worthwhile buying them UNLESS the savings is very significant. This is why, in my postings, I always cite the examples of very long routes, such as Milan to Reggio Calabria, Rome to Sicily, or Venice to Rome, where the savings are indeed significant.
On short routes, the cost savings is little or nil, thereby rendering these promotional fares of little interest. Sometimes, the promotional fare only gives you a "free" upgrade to first class, which isn't much on short routes.
"Sabato di Trenitalia.com" for 15 Euros (Saturday IC trains only) and the single, early morning "Low Cost Eurostar for 9 Euros" between Rome-Tiburtina and Milan-Lambrate are more appealing, but also much more restrictive.
TRENITALIA ANNOUNCES INTRODUCTION OF QUALITY CONTROL PERSONNEL ON TRAINS
Today's Corriere della Sera newspaper reports that Trenitalia will be adding quality control personnel on select trains in select areas of the country whose job will be to monitor the quality of service on the train, including without limitation, the functionality of train doors, air conditioning, lighting, toilets, and cleanliness. They will also take note of customer complaints, observations and comments, and answer questions.
Quality Control monitors will be identifiable by the YELLOW CAPS they wear, and notepads in hand. The new initiative will commence in six regions: Calabria, Sicilia, Lombardia, Liguria, Umbria and Le Marche, and will be extended later to Emilia Romagna and Veneto.
Yet another example of Trenitalia's transformation into a market-driven organization.
I want two seats on a Eurostar from Milan to Florence on 18 March, and I don't get any of the promotional fares. On any of the trains scheduled on the 18th, the fare is either 41,83 for 1st class or 28,92 for 2nd, both full price.
Can these possibly be sold out already?
chrisv
Posts: 814 | Location: Birch Bay, WA | Registered: 02 December 2002
