I am seeing several posts from others regarding traveling with the threat of cancelled flights to Europe. I have plans to go to Italy with 3 family members in mid August. My concern is that I have to prebook certain sites that we will be visiting while in Italy and I guess I will have to forfeit those costs if the flight is cancelled? I am leaving from NYC, JFK airport and arriving in Milan.
I am not sure whether to continue to book/make arrangements/train travel without knowing for certain. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
18100 posts
Judy, mid-August is 4 months away so a lot could (and likely will) change between now and then. There's no need at all to pre-book trips on regionale trains as prices for those don't change: buy day-of tickets. If pre-booking 'fast' trains to try and take advantage of super-economy prices, buy the refundable option or your insurance might cover a cancellation (see below).
https://www.trenitalia.com/en/offers/ticket-refund.html
More refund policy info on the different types of Trenitalia tickets: (scroll down to Base, Economy and Super Economy)
https://www.trenitalia.com/en/html/trenitalia/Info_Tariffe_en_LeFrecce.html
As far as attractions that don't have refundable tickets, travel insurance may cover the costs should a flight be cancelled BUT you have to read the details of your policy closely to see what reasons for the cancellation it covers. Aside from that, it's really up to how much risk you're willing to assume.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3969 posts
The advice given on the other threads would be the same given to your situation - no one can predict what will happen. Travel insurance can cover the loss of prepaid expenses due to canceled flights but you have to read the details very closely. And you often have to purchase coverage within a certain number of days of your first payment of expense.
Posted by
Washington DC
30593 posts
If you tell us the sightseeing tickets you're thinking of buying early, we may be able to help by identifying those you can wait on--if not until you actually arrive in Italy, at least for one or more months, by which time the fuel situation may have changed.
For example, The Last Supper is something you'll need to book as soon as you can, if you want to see it. The Duomo in Milan didn't seem to be a problem in September 2024; I acknowledge it might have been somewhat different in August, but it's definitely not a ticket you need to worry about now.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11762 posts
I agree with Acraven: the only site in Italy that needs immediate attention is The Last Supper.
I have family arriving in Europe in July but I’m holding off on buying train tickets and entry tickets until we have a better idea of air travel…if they will even get here.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
16001 posts
If you want to visit the Borghese Galleries in Rome, keep an eye on ticket availability. I booked 2 months in advance for mid-April and there weren't many available for the limited hours/days of my visit. I think August is more crowded than April.