I am attempting to book online train reservations from Roma Termini to Siena on Monday July 8. I have read (and thought I understood) Rick's Italy Guidebook and Ron in Rome extensively!! I am using this link from Ron in Rome - http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD However, when I put in my date for one way trip with 3 adults and 1 child, I get N/A. I believe I have calculated my 119 days ahead correctly to be today. I also tried earlier dates in July, June, and May, because of the posts that talk about a change in the schedule for the summer months, and get the same results - N/A No solution found. We are trying to get the Super Economy fare. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong would be extremely helpful. Thank you.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23660 posts
Probably still to early. Italian are lucky to make the 90 day mark. I believe latest posted is June 8 so keep checking. Summer schedule should be available soon. And Super Economy fate is not available on all routes.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
As noted, the schedule for June 8 and later is not available yet. It could go up any day. The Super Economy Fares become available four months (not 119 days) ahead of travel, but ONLY IF the schedule has been posted. Because June 8 is well within the four month window, there will be a mad scramble for those cheap tickets once they are posted. So keep checking. Welcome to Italy. It's part of its charm. P.S. You said you tried that for May dates. May should have worked. You know that Regionale train tickets cannot be purchased more than 7 days in advance, right? And they will show up as N/A outside the 7 day window. What routes are you trying to buy?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17595 posts
Rome to Siena involves one leg on a Frecce train (Rome to Florence) and one on a Regional train (Florence to Siena). It looks like Trenitalia actually will sell a ticket on a Regional train more than a week ahead when it is combined with another train like the Le Frecce, I was able to get to the final step for purchase of the combo on April 9. That was a 29 euro ticket from Rome to Florence and an 8,50 euro tickeet for the leg from Florence to Siena. But since there is no discount on the REgional train, I suggest you focus on the Rome to Florence leg and keep checking back for tickets so you can get the Super Economy fare as soon as it appears. The mid-June schedule change appears to be slowing down the offer of those tickets for July.
Posted by
OP
Binghamton, NY, USA
22 posts
Thank you so much. I will keep trying daily and enjoy the charm of Italy's rail system! Rick also suggests 2 REgional trains via Chiusi; approximately same time, less expensive than Florence route. We will use that as back up if we do not get the Super Economy fares.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Laura, the www.trenitalia.com seems to favor the Rome/Florence/Siena routing with the high-speed between Rome and Florence. Its more expensive. You are correct that you can take a much less cost Regionale train to Chiusi and then change to another Regionale to Siena. Same amount of time overall.