Italian Ticket Classes

Amica is not a class of ticket. It is simply a discount of about 20%. A certain number of seats are made available at that discount for that train. I don't know if first class seats are available under the Amica rate since we have used it only for 2nd class tickets.

The Amica discount is an advance purchase discount available on both first and second class seats. You need to buy your seats at least a day in advance. A limited number of discounted seats are available on each train, so it is possible that the discounted tickets will sell out with full price tickets still available. Just purchase your tickets shortly after you arrive and you should not have a problem getting the discount.

Actually, it is on their website under Promotions. The Amica fare is a limited discount based on date, class or train category. It's a 20% discount off the standard fare. There are only so many per train. Once they run out, they are gone. Travelers have reported that they have asked for this discount at the ticket windows in Italy but the ticket agents generally turn them down. I've never been able to get one either. Perhaps the self-service ticket machine will cough one up. Raileurope and other ticket brokers don't seem to offer the Amica discount.

If anybody on the site has been able to obtain Amica fares, please share how you did it.

I was able to purchase tickets at the Amica fare using the automated kiosks a few days before my departure date at the station.

Depending on the distance you are traveling I recommend going first class over second class if it is more than an hour travel time. The price isn't much different but the seats and the compartment is well worth it, not to mention your safety.

Greg

Depending on the route you take, First class can be as much as 50% more than a second-class Amica fare. Second class is perfectly comfortable, even for a big guy like me, and there are no safety issues to be concerned about.

Amica fares require a minimum of 24 hours advance purchase. I purchased mine online with no problem. I'd be cautious purchasing one for the day of your arrival as if you have any problem with a late plane arrival you could miss the train and lose your nonrefundable ticket.

We travelled exclusively on 2nd class tickets throughout our 16 day trip this month and there were no comfort or safty issues whatsoever.

Really don't understand Greg's comment about safety and first class. We have traveled over 300+ days in the past 15 years on runs as long as six hours. We rode first class once -- and thought it was over priced for the comfortable level gain. Stuck with second class since then. Think most Americans feel that second class will be like coach on airplanes. Second class is more like business class. Obviously second class will always be more crowded but have enjoyed many conservations with interesting people riding second class.

Larry, we had no trouble getting the Amica fare using the Trentitalia web site to purchase our tickets from Canada.

Think of Amica as the equivilent of a nonrefundable airline fare. They are limited and you typically can't change your ticket.

Actually you are allowed one change of your ticket on an Amica fare after the ticket as been issued. or at least those were the terms on the tickets we received in May.