I was using a train travel planner to estimate travel time from Rome to Venice and from Rome to Florence for day trips. The planner indicated that a compulsory reservation for each person was needed for each trip (to and from). Is this right?, I thought that compulsory reservations are just for First Class? or are they required whether for first or second class each way?
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Good catch Frank, I didn't see that Harry intends to visit Venice for a day trip. In my opinion, that's not a good day trip to make, to much time on the train and not enough time in the city. As far as buying tickets from the kiosks, they are very easy to use and you make the seat reservation at the same time. Donna
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
They are required for 1rst and 2nd class. Don't use eurail for any of these tickets or passes. You can easily buy point to point tickets from trenitalia, the official seller, without the mark up. Use the trenitalia site for prices and schedules. Those prices will already include the seat reservation fee. With a rail pass you'll need to book them both for all legs of the trip. http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD For Rome to Venice you should enter: Roma termini to Venezia S. Lucia
For Rome to Florence you should enter: roma termini to Firenze S.M. Novella Donna
Posted by
Austin, Texas, USA
75 posts
Donna, how is it buying the tickets point-to-point from a kiosk in Termini? Can you add the reservation there? Or would it be better to just book them ahead of time, before we leave the USA?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23652 posts
Lets start this over - First, Rome to Florence is a reasonable day trip but Venice is not. Second, all trains in Italy except the Regional trains require a seat reservation in all classes. It is very difficult to make a rail pass in Italy pay over p2p tickets especially if you take advantage of the discounts available for advance purchase. Third, don't depend on a trip planner when you can use trenitalia.com or bahn.de for exact schedules and times. Using a ticket machine at the train station is as easy as using an ATM. BUT you do have to know the correct station and the Italian name for the station. If a reservation is required it is automatically included in the cost of the ticket from the machine. The ONLY time you would have a separate reservation fee is when using a rail pass.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
As metioned above, you need seat reservations on all classes of trains except the Regionale trains. For the runs you mention, you will most likely be on the high-speeds which do require seat reservations. If you purchase a point-2-point ticket either at a ticket window, at a ticket machine or online, the purchase comes with the seat reservation automatically. No problem. If you have a Eurail pass, it isn't provided with the pass. For the Italian high-speeds, you will need to pay a 10E supplemental fee for each high-speed you will be on. As you pay the fee, seat reservations will be provided.