We will be heading from Firenze Novella to Milan Centrale in October and want to take the quick train to get there. Seems like a huge price difference when you go to a class in which you can get a refund if your plans change. However, cheaper fares don't allow for seat reservations from what I can see on the Trenitalia booking site. I would hate to book a cheaper fare and not have a seat. Any helpful suggestions on best class to choose would be appreciated. I guess you pay for the security that you can cancel or chanbge and you get seats. Once again, I REALLY appreciate the experts guidance, thank you in advance!!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
869 posts
If it's a freccia train, you ALWAYS have a seat.
The fares lower in the chart are the most restrictive, therefore cheaper, the ones on the top are the normal fare with all the flexibility you would want. I was researching fares the other day and the difference between the "1st class" and regular was like 3-10 euro for the super economy, and I was tempted to just go first all the way because it was that cheap of a difference. The normal class is 2 seats on each side of an aisle and first is (I'm pretty sure all of the time, but if I'm wrong, let me know) 1 seat and two seats on either side of the aisle. You can look into the even higher classes, but I doubt you will need a room to yourself to hold a business meeting.
I just went to the trenitalia site and I picked a random freccia around 9ish on an upcoming Saturday and I selected "scegli posti" (I bet the english site says "select seat") beside the continua button and I was able to select seats for the normal class. Even if it DIDN'T allow you to select seats (I ran across the normal class on French trains that didn't allow me to select seats, they gave it to me automatically, only first class allowed the selection of specific seats), you would automatically get a seat.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8227 posts
As above all seats are reserved on fast trains
You either choose it yourself for a few euros during the booking process or let them choose it for you
We have never felt the need for a first class ticket
It’s just a bit less than a 2 hour journey
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
869 posts
Steve! Thanks for pointing that out, when I just went there I was REALLY confused as to why I had no categories at the top! haha
Yes, classes (same product) vs fares (different types of tickets with or without restrictions, across most classes)
Posted by
OP
51 posts
Yes, the site is a bit confusing and translation isn't always perfect :) I kept getting in a loop where I could not choose my seats, then after going to check out, I got the reply "seats are not available yet for this date". All is good and when I get to the first date to make my reservations, I will be all set with the helpful suggestions provided by all of you. Thank you again!!
Posted by
St. Paul, Minnesota
26 posts
we just returned from a long trip and did 2 high speed trains.
One from Venice to Florence and another from Salerno to Rome.
We booked way in advance and got a good price for Business Lounge.
Glad we booked that type of seat.
On the Salerno to Rome trip we sat in the seats we booked. That booking had 4 seats in an enclosed area where you could shut the door. So, it was quiet and private. The seats also seemed to be larger than the standard seats.
The other 2 seats were not booked so we had that space all to ourselves.
On the Venice to Florence trip, the train we had must not have had the exact layout of the train we booked because our seats did NOT exist on that train. When we found a conductor to help us find our seats, he said - oh - you were upgraded to Executive class!!
That was travelling in style! It was a car with only 6 or 8 seats in it. The seats reclined a bit and even swiveled. They were huge seats almost like a home recliner.
Plus, we had free drinks and a meal!
There was also a ton of room for your luggage.
People in that car also had a dedicated bathroom, a small conference room and a staff dedicated to just that car.
What a great surprise. Not sure how much more those tickets would have cost us, but I would check them out in the future.
The car even had a couple of vacant seats.
That was travelling in comfort and style.