OK, do I or don't I need a reservation on Trenitalia

I can answer a few questions here. If you want First Class, yes that needs a reservation, and a seat reservation means that you reserve a particular seat so you know where you sit in the car. Your ticket will show the train number, the car number, and your seat number.

That's all I know 'cause I always buy my First Class tickets at the station, from the Agent or from the ticket machines. Either way you choose your seat. Using the machine a screen appears with a picture of all the seats in the car, and I just touch on the seat I want.

I am a "Travel by the seat of my pants" gal, so I've never bought train tickets online from the US. I buy them when I get to Italy.

There are plenty of other posters who will be along soon who do buy online.

Tickets on the high speed trains in Italy include reservations in the ticket price. Buying an economy or full price ticket gives you more flexibility to change to a later train should it be necessary.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=020e1a035296f310VgnVCM1000005817f90aRCRD

Aly, given that you have not bought your ticket yet, so that it it is unlikely that you will get any super discount fares, I would wait till you get to Milano Centrale to buy your ticket. Go to one of the ticket machines, they are really easy to use. GO to youtube as there are many videos about how to buy a train ticket in Italy and how to use the machines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCJyBfjFSFQ

When we rode the trains in first class, there were always plenty of seats, so you should be fine waiting if you want the flexibility. The only down side is that we often saw long lines at the machines to buy tickets (and most people struggle with using them, just like watching folks here with machines -- some get it, some don't).

Since there's no money-saving benefit to buying in advance, buy your ticket at the station in Milano, or if you plan to take the Malpensa Express from the airport, see if you can get your Frecciabianca ticket at the same time. Make sure you take the Express to Milano Centrale, not Milano Cadorna. If you can't buy the Frecciabianca ticket at the airport, just take a number at Milano Centrale for the ticket desk.

All high-speed trains in Italy require reservations for first or second class, included in the ticket price. The carriage number is posted on the outside of the train car, try to board at the correct car. There will be an announcement on the electronic board that tells you if first class is at the head (capo) or the tail (coda) of the train.

Travel on fast trains is somewhat like travel on airplanes: tickets are linked to specific trains (identified by train number, date and time of departure) and places (identified by car number and place number). Tickets are valid only for the train and place they are issued for; if you miss the train, the ticket is no more valid; sometimes it can be exchanged for a later train, sometimes is void.

If you are willing to commit to a mostly non refundable reservation well in advance, you may get a nice discount online; if you buy just before the train leaves, you pay full fare. So you will find:

Supereconomy tickets - issued in very limited number, available only online, no refunds, no change of reservation, very cheap

Economy tickets - again issued in limited number, no refunds, still cheaper than base fare, allows you to change reservation one single time, paying the difference to base fare, in any case only before the train leaves

Base tickets (full fare) - Before the train leaves reservation may be changed how many times you want, once the train has left you have a one hour window to reserve a later train. 80% of price can be refunded before train leaves.

And there are different types of accomodation (on Frecciabianca 1st and 2nd classes, but on Frecciarossa there are standard, premium, business and executive classes).

Buying your ticket just before leaving usually is not a big problem; trains are sold off only at the busiest times. Maybe some time will be lost at the ticket office or at the ticket machines. If you are travelling by train from MXP to Centrale, you may try to buy both tickets at MXP.

If you are buying tickets at the train station and you do not have a chip and pin card (which most of us from the US don't) be prepared to pay in cash at the machines or wait in line and talk to the agent. I haven't been to the Milan train station, but this summer, the kiosks in the train stations in Rome and Florence would not take our debit/credit cards (which we expected). The lines to the agents were fairly long so we just used the machines and paid with cash. There was group of 4 on Frecciarossa trains so it ended up being close to 200 Euro. But it worked fine.

WOW thanks everybody!! How great to get a quick response. I'll take a little time to digest all this, then I might have some clarifying questions.

Again, thanks everyone for the quick responses and information!
Bottom line, it sounds like I can wait to get the tickets, and I understand things better now.
So this is what still isn’t clear to me:
1 - Sandra and Zoe – Both of you say to buy the ticket at the station in Milano. But both of you also say high-speed trains in Italy or first class seats require reservations. I don’t get how both are true, what am I missing?
2 - Kristen – Thanks for the chip card tip. Our debit card is called a chip and SIGNATURE (??). But it does have a pin too. It’s a new card we got for this trip (mainly for cash withdrawals). I haven’t used it yet so I’m still a little unfamiliar with it. Do you think that would work?
3 - Its especially helpful to know we may be able to buy the whole thing in Malpensa. I don't quite understand how, since the Malpensa Express is a local train, and Milan to Venice is Trenitalia.... right?? I'll just trust that it will become clear at the time.

The reservation is included in the ticket on fast trains. Your ticket will show a carriage number and seat number when you receive the ticket.

So its like,,, , I'm making a reservation when I buy the ticket at the station. Even though the train is leaving shortly. Technically its a reservation?

If you go to the Trenitalia site you can see the timetable for traveling from Malpensa to Venice. Use the Italian spelling for both. (Malpensa Aeroporto-Venezia) Once you select a time, you will see a list of trains and you will also see a message for the routes that states "The travel solution is not sellable for the selected segment". Doesn't mean the trains are unavailable, just that you can't buy the airport to Milan on line.
From the airport to Milan Centrale is operated by Trenord, Trenitalia doesn't sell those on-line but I bet you can buy both routes at the airport. The cost for that train is €12
http://www.malpensaexpress.it/en/

I looked up Centrale to Venezia for the 17th and the only tickets available are base fare tickets (full price, no discounted tickets available unless you have one of Trenitalia's loyalty cards) That fare is €37.50 in standard class. (second class) No need to spend more for first class (premium class)

If your credit card has a chip and pin, you should be able to use it in the machines. I have used my MC debit card with no problems.

Fast trains like the one from Centrale to Venezia have reserved seats. You book for a specific train. If you miss that train, you have to exchange that ticket for another, which you can do with a base fare ticket.

If you are at the station and you buy from an Agent or at a machine, you simply get the first available First Class seats, they may be on your first train of choice or the next one.

I buy tickets at the station 3 or 4 days or a week ahead of time.

If you scroll down the same query page where you posted, there is a query by Mike where they discuss how to buy Trenitalia tickets from the US. It will give you enough guidance to know what your next step should be.

Yes, technically it's a reservation. You can think of it as a seat assignment, but it's called a reservation.

Aly, on this last trip, neither my debit card nor my chip and signature credit card worked in the machines I tried. I also didn't try for very long before I switched to cash.

I think you do not need to worry about just showing up to the train station and seeing what happens. If you have to wait in a line for an agent, there are plenty of trains. If you want to use the machines, try your cards and if they don't work, there will be ATM ("Bancomat") around.

For the frecciarossa/frecciabianca trains, a reservation=ticket=reservation=ticket. If you purchasing a ticket for those trains, you are assigned a specific seat for a specific train at a specific time, just as if you are buying an airline ticket.

Aly,

I will be traveling to Milan in a couple of weeks & will be in a similar situation as you.

I read other posts where people were having trouble with their credit card ( cc) with chips, so I called my bank to request a PIN # & was told that there's no need for a PIN# because most cc in the US are "chip & signature cards", which simply means that you cannot use your cc at the machines to buy a train ticket.

The bank agent told me that Europe is more advanced when it comes to their cc's with chips & no need for signature... so eventually that's what we will have in the near future.

So now all you need to do is to go to the counter & the agent has a special device for you to insert the card into & then you need to sign it.

An easier option is just to pay at the machines with cash. Cash works pretty much everywhere!

*Please note that this is only for credit cards NOT Debit cards.

You can use a debit card ( with PIN #) at ATM's just like you use them here.

If you call your bank they will explain it to you or they will direct you to their website where it will be explained.

My bank's website even has a video to explain it.

Hope this helps !

Aly,

I haven't bothered reading all the responses so apologies if I'm repeating anything. This would be my suggestion.....

When you arrive at MXP, go directly to the airport rail station and buy your tickets. You will require two - one for the Malpesa Express and one for the Freccia train from Milan to Venice. Reservations are compulsory for the Freccia, and will be included with the ticket. Note that these are specific to ONE train, date and departure time and can ONLY be used on the train listed on the ticket. If you board the wrong train, you'll be subject to hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!

The Malpensa Express ticket MUST be validated prior to boarding the train in the small trackside machines. Failure to do so will likely result in a hefty fine, which will be collected on the spot!

I rarely (if ever) buy first class tickets, as second class is perfectly comfortable. I wouldn't recommend pre-purchasing tickets, as if there's a delay (ie: your flight is late in arriving), the ticket will be worthless if you miss the Freccia train you've booked, and you'll have to buy another at full price (Base fare).

Buon Viaggio!

Aly, if I might add to the previous posts to help you navigate....
The Malpensa Express train from the airport to Milano Centrale is purchased from a machine that takes either either currency or cards. US credit cards will not work so you will need cash. So bring some small Euro bills...the change is given in coins. To validate the ticket, there is a small machine right by the ticket machine. You insert the ticket in the machine and it date/time stamps it. Your ticket (it is a small thing about the size of a credit card) gets sucked into the machine, a green light will turn on and your ticket will pop back out. If the light does not turn green, it is NOT validated. You may have put in in incorrectly so just try again.

The kiosk ticket machines in Milano Centrale are easy to use but be sure you go to one that accepts cash-not all do. If you use the ticket agent, there may be a machine near the entrance that asks you what the nature of your query is (info only, or ticket purchase). The machine gives you a number that gives you a spot in the que. Then you need to wait until your number shows up on the screen and tells you what agent to go to (they are numbered).

Don't be surprised if you get on the train to Venice and find someone in your seat. Just point out that they are in your seat and they will move. Make sure you are on the right car though. As stated before, your ticket will say what car and seat you have. The car numbers are on the side of the car as is the class of car. 1 for First class and 2 for second.

I expect that you may not get to Milano Centrale for the 1135 since you have to go through passport control and the train to Milano Centrale takes at least 52 minutes, but you never know. Once in Venice you will need to take the vaparetto to the closest stop to your hotel. The stops for each line (there are many) are posted. Get VERY GOOD directions to your hotel from the hotel, including which vaparetto to take and which stop. Don't hesitate to ask for help/directions. I found everyone I encountered to be very helpful.

Have fun. Venice is enchanting.

Thanks CBroch, Ken, Macy and Kristin Zoe Sandra Holly and ASPS2. This is such great helpful stuff, and so detailed! I'm feeling pretty confident now. Leaving in about 30 hours, and in a frenzy of packing. Looking forward to our trip!!

One correction to one of the posters' info: there is a staffed ticket window at the airport for the Malpensa Express, never a long line. Also a machine which I have used when the ticket window is not open.

2nd class on high speed train is amazing compared to others. You may find 1st class on the high speed trains is not needed. Save the couple euro and put it towards a nice bottle of wine