My husband and I are going to be in Italy in May with Eurail 1st class passes. Most of our train routes are on the La Frecce rails. Can we show up at the station 30min before our train and reserve our seats? Is it recommended? I don't want to pay a bunch of reservation fees and then wind up stressing about making that exact train or losing the money.
PLEASE ADVISE.
I've looked everywhere. You'd think this would be a popular question. I can't do online research anymore it's killing the fun!!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32224 posts
It's possible that you could show up 30 minutes before departure and get reservations, especially as you'll be using first class. Is it recommended? Not in my view, as I generally like to buy tickets (or reservations) at least the day prior to travel. That way I can just arrive at the station and board the train, rather than having the haul luggage down to a ticket office and then back to the departure track.
Keep in mind that there could be long queues at the ticket office, so buying a reservation could take some time and you could miss your train. I've never tried buying just a reservation at a ticket Kiosk, although I believe that's possible.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I sympathize with research overload. There isn't a lot of info on reserving Eurailpass tickets in Italy because it's usually a lot cheaper to buy point-to-point tickets. Italy has some of the lowest train fares in Western Europe.
If I don't reserve ahead of time (€9 from Milano to Venezia instead of €49, for example), I prefer to buy the ticket when I arrive in the city rather than risk a long line a half-hour before departure.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15864 posts
Andy, I think you don't often see the question in the Italy forum for the reason Zoe has given: it's almost always more economical just to buy tickets rather than use a pass. I'd do as the others suggest and purchase your reservations when you arrive or the day before so they're in hand the day you need to catch your train.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
I'm so happy people are responding! Thanks everyone! I am also traveling in four other countries which is why I have the Eurail pass. It was cheaper. Again online research for daaaaays.
So if I buy them the day before, do I have to print them? Or can I use a phone (we will have data supposedly). We are staying at airbnbs so I'm not sure where I'd print. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23343 posts
You will have to buy at the station. The reservation fee is about 10E per seat reservation.