sorry if this has been asked before, I searched but could not find anything on this: i read on the slowtrav train guide that when looking at which lines to take (also affecting which platform at the station etc), i'd need to look at the train's FINAL destination, and not the destination i want. so my question- if my destination is not the last on the line, how do i know what is?
also, i understand that 'advance booking' can mean just buying the tickets a couple of hours or days earlier - ie so long as it is before boarding the train. however, if i were to want to travel on a specific date, how far in advance should i get the tickets, to ensure that i WILL get them? i would much rather buy all the tickets on arriving in rome, for our 2 weeks' travels (levanto, florence, perugia) - will that be sufficient time?
thanks in advance for any help.
Posts: 56 | Location: malaysia | Registered: 07 December 2005
On your ticket it will say the final destination. As for when to buy, you could get them all in one shot when you get to Rome but unless you are planning on travelling during a holiday time or during commuter times, you should have no problem finding space.
Don't worry, finding your train is not a mystifying as it might seem. On the departure boards (Partenze), you'll see all trains listed in order by their departure time, along with the type of train (ES, R, etc). Although in larger stations some trains will have the same departure time, it will still be relatively simple to determine which is your train, even if you don't have a paper ticket with the destination printed on it (TrenItalia ticketless options, for example; or regional trains.) When in doubt, just look for a conductor in the green coats.
No reason not to buy your tickets on arrival in Rome. Reserved, 1st class travel for family groups during peak travel times/holidays are probably the most important to book ahead, so it's not advisable to arrive at the station an hour before departure in July expecting to get four 1st class seats together on a Eurostar from Florence to Rome, for example.
excellent! looks like i will be able to find my way around easily, as well as get the tickets all in Rome.
oh, one more question please - when i buy the tickets, i need to state the time i'm boarding, correct? if for some reason i'm delayed, could i take a later train with the same ticket? (i'd lose the reservation, understandably, but do i lost the entire fare paid?)
Posts: 56 | Location: malaysia | Registered: 07 December 2005
oh, one more question please - when i buy the tickets, i need to state the time i'm boarding, correct? if for some reason i'm delayed, could i take a later train with the same ticket? (i'd lose the reservation, understandably, but do i lost the entire fare paid?)
All places on ES trains must be reserved. An ES ticket shows the departure time and it is valid only for that train; if you have to change departure time, the ticket has to be voided and another ticket is to be issued. If you do it once and in advance, the change is free; after the stated departure time, there is a fee to be paid, but regulations are quite complex so try to avoid it (especially on ticketless reservations).
For all other types of trains, the reservation is printed on a separate slip, so if you change departure time the old reservation is no more valid (it can be converted to a new one) but the ticket still is.
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