We are planning to buy Trenitalia tickets to travel from Venice to Rome using a Eurostar train. Does anyone know if second class seats are ok, or is it worth the money to buy first class? Also, we are considering the 15% or 30% discounted seats - any problem with these, other than the obvious stricter change penalties?
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Do you plan to change your mind and back out of the trip to Rome from Venice? If not, then by all means invest in the discounted seats...they're going to the same place as the non-discounted seats.
Do you like slight larger seats and fewer people in your compartment? If so then buy first class tickets. If not then buy 2nd class. The trains and safe, clean and fast...both 1st and 2nd.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Yes, there is a problem with the discount fares. Obviously they have to be booked in advance and the Trenitalia site does not accept US credit cards for online booking. If you will be traveling around Italy for at least seven days before taking the train from Venice to Rome, then you could try to get the meno15 fare by buying your tickets on the day you first arrive in Italy. However, there is an allotted number of discount fare seats so they might be sold out.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
If you are going straight from Venice to Rome you might want to invest in the first class seats. the trip is over 4 hours. Second class is fine if you wish to save the money though it does get more crowded than first.
YOu won't be able to buy your tickets online before you get to Italy. The trenitalia site is not set up to take US credit cards. You can get all the way to the payment page then it rejects the transaction. You can easily buy your tickets in Italy using your cc but you won't qualify for any discounts, unless it is the 7 day advance purchase and they are available.
Donna
Posted by
Richmond, Ky, USA
277 posts
Helen, I would go second class. Many times the train you want does not include first class anyway, and to be honest, the mosr people, the better the conversation. We have met some really great peop[le on long train rides(same one you are looking at). To really enjoy Italy you must learn to go with the flow. You probably cant change the bad stuff, and you would want to change the good. Enjoy! Jeff
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1003 posts
We usually rent cars while in Italy and my husband drives but last summer I was on a trip with my sisters and we used trains. Very easy to purchase your tkts once you get over there. I had read a recommendation by someone to purchase 2nd class for the Eurostar and 1st class for other trains such as the InterCity so that is what we did and it worked out fine. Tickets for both of these trains come with the necessary seat reservations. www.roninrome.com has lots of good info on train travel in Italy. Buon Viaggo!