Changes in Trenitalia Ticket Policy

I think if one is not pre-purchasing economy or supereconomy tickets, it's best to buy BASE tickets when you get to the station rather than in advance.

Frank, I'm not seeing that restriction on the Economy ticket. Both at http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en/Offers/The-economy-ticket, and also on the "i" pop-up from the purchase screen (tested Florence-Rome), the one-exchange option is still mentioned.

I'm also seeing that 1 change (with a fee) is still possible for an economy ticket:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms-file/html/frecciarossa_en/Info_Tariffe_en_LeFrecce.html#ECONOMY

It pop up in the little box when I click on the more fare information marker. I was surprised too that there was no difference between econ and super econ terms. And it was the first time I had seen the 20% penalty for a refund of the base ticket. It was on all of the fares for that journey. Wonder if it is a general change in policy that is working its way through the system. The general policy for Regionale tickets has been changed so I have a feeling that all of the ticket polices are being revised.

Hi there, I was just going to ask about Trenitalia, fortuitous! I feel like I'm missing something, I've read and reread what the tickets are. Is there really no difference other than price for super economy/economy/base? Specifically in the seat accommodations (not the terms as you stated above). I was also wondering if the Frecce trains are quicker than the regional ones, they appear to be... if we aren't planning on a side trip are they the best to get point A to B quickly? And can you keep your bags with you?

The freccia trains are expresses. The travel (much) faster and make far fewer stops than the regional trains. For middle and longer distances, the freccia trains will be faster--sometimes much faster. But if you buy last-minute tickets, there will probably be a really large price difference, too. Always look at the duration of the trip as well as the price to be sure you're saving enough time to justify the cost.

These are the options for storing luggage on a train:

• Rack near the end of the carriage (as you approach the door). This can fill up.
• Rack over the seat (will not hold really large suitcases).
• Space under the seat (a little more room than you'd have on a plane).
• Space in the inverted-V between seats when they are place back-to-back. This situation doesn't exist on all train cars; you may not have this option.

The Seat61 website is a wealth of information about trains. I've linked to the Italian page. If you keep scrolling down, you'll find photos of a lot of different train carriages that will give you an idea of the luggage situation.

.....no difference other than price for super economy/economy/base? Specifically in the seat accommodations ......

That is correct the seat is the same whether it is super econ or base. The difference is between 1st and 2nd class. In first class seats are wider with 1 seat, aisle, two seats. Second class will have two seats, aisle, two seats. And a little more leg room between but not a huge difference. Second class seat, space wise, is similar to business on an airline. For the most part we find second class to be fine. Some prefer first class just because there will be fewer people in first class. A few years we were the only people riding in the first class car.

The fastest Frecciarossa trains have BOTH several classes of service (seating areas) and several selling prices for each one (advance-purchase discounts). They are clearly displayed in chart format when you search for ticket prices at trenitalia.com.