We want to take one of the fast trains (La Frecce) from Milan to Venice. Rick Steves' Italy guidebook (on pages 1212 and 1215) says that all Frecce trains require a reservation. That surprised me, since the comments I've read in this forum suggest that it's easy to get a ticket on pretty much any train on the spot, except maybe a rush hour train out of Rome. We'll probably end up reserving online to get an Economy ticket anyway (even though we could end up bumping the price up to the Base level if we're delayed and have to change it). But I just would like to be sure that the guidebook's general statement means that we'll have to make a reservation in advance for any Frecce seat, including a Base ticket.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23671 posts
Just means that you must have a seat reservation. Whether you make it five days, five hours, or five minutes before doesn't make any difference. But there is one such thing as an open ticket that allows you to get on and take any seat. So you must have a reservation prior to getting on the train. The book statement is accurate. How your are interrupting the statement is not.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
You do not have to organise a separate reservation on the fast trains, all tickets come with a reserved seat included which you select when booking in advance or buying when there.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
If you are buying a single ticket for a Frecce train, it comes with a reservation; as said above, that's true if you buy it in advance or just before departure, and regardless of what price you paid for it. That means that a ticket for a particular Frecce train is not good on any other train. If you want to take a different train, you must exchange it before getting on the train; if the ticket is not exchangeable, it's now a bookmark or scrap paper.
However, if you are using a train pass and want to take a Frecce train, your fare is covered but the mandatory reservation is not. You must buy a reservation (again, specific to one train) before boarding. So, in Italy, you only need to think of reservations separate from tickets if you are using a pass (usually a very bad idea for Italy, as even Rick, a pass proponent, admits it's hard to make one pay off there).
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
cb,
You need a seat reservation for travel on all Freccia and other "fast* trains, regardless of whether you're using a Super Economy, Economy or Base level ticket. Note that these seat reservations are specific to train, date and departure time, so can only be used on the ONE train specified on the ticket.
Aside from the price, the main difference between the three types of tickets is the ability to change them to a different train or whatever after purchase. For example, the cheapest Super Economy tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable. Base tickets are at the highest price tier, but provide the greatest flexibility for changes.
In most cases, it is possible to just buy a ticket "on the spot", as long as you're prepared to pay Base level prices. If you buy P-P tickets, the compulsory reservation will be included in the cost of the ticket and will specify the Car No. (Carrozza) and Seat No.'s (Posti) for your assigned seating.
I normally just buy tickets in Italy, usuallly from a Kiosk, as for the few trips I typically make I'm not too concerned with the higher prices of the tickets. I usually buy at least the day prior to each trip so that I don't have to waste time on the day of travel, and possibly get behind a long queue at the ticket Kiosk or ticket office.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I get it now. Thanks very much to all for the responses.
I have another question. What experiences have people had with the "ticketless tickets"? Assuming this option if available on the Frecce trains, it seems like it would be the easiest way to go. On the Trenitalia webpage about electronic tickets, it seems that, if necessary, I could change to a later train online, receive the information for that change in an email or text, and give the PNR code to the onboard staff. Is it that easy?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
cb,
Regarding "ticketless tickets", again the ability to change will depend on which type of ticket you've bought. If you purchase a Super Economy ticket, I don't believe these can be changed (online or otherwise).
In order to receive a text from Trenitalia, you may have to have an Italian mobile number? Hopefully Roberto or one of the others can confirm that.
If you're concerned about changing tickets, the easiest solution would be to simply buy Base tickets at the station a day or two before travel and hopefully with that method you won't have to change them.