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Point to Point train travel

We have used a Rail pass on other trips but this time we are only going from Florence to Verona and Verona to Venice. With this in mind is there a need to reserve on Trentalia.? We are there May 23 to June 2nd.

Posted by
23177 posts

Depends on what you mean by reserve. All trains in Italy except Regionale trains require a seat reservation. The reservation comes with the ticket when purchased. However, if you miss that train, then the ticket is no good. The ticket can be purchased anytime prior to departure. Very early on line ticket purchases might catch a deep discount. Only the Regionale trains allow for you to get on any Regionale train headed in the right direction.

Posted by
6898 posts

Shelley, are you arriving in Florence, Italy or somewhere else and traveling to Florence. Are you departing from Venice or somewhere else in Italy. As you now describe your itinerary, you don't need a Eurail pass. On these to train journeys, you will most likely be on fast trains. In general, you will be on two different trains to get from Florence to Verona. From Verona to Venice, just one train. You can buy these tickets online right now at www.trenitalia.com. You can print the tickets out at home. Seat reservations come with the purchase of the tickets. Regular base fare for Florence to Verona is 58Euro. Verona to Venice is 23Euro. No need for a Rail Pass. You can even purchase these tickets when you arrive in Italy.

This is unlike the Rail Pass where you have to make and pay for separate reservations. Also, with a Rail Pass, add 10Euro for each fast train that you will be on. I see 3. Add 30Euro to the cost of your pass.

Posted by
32171 posts

Shelley,

Check the Trenitalia website to determine the specifics of the trains you'll be using on those routes.

On the trip from Florence to Verona, it appears you'll be using two trains and one may be a Regionale (DON'T forget to validate your tickets for those prior to boarding on the day of travel). If you'll be using two premium trains (such as the Freccia high speed trains), you can pre-book online and possibly get discounted tickets which will include the compulsory reservations. However, keep in mind those tickets will "lock you into" using a specific train, date and departure time.

On the trip from Verona to Venice, again there is a choice of trains. If you decide to use the Regionale which is cheaper but takes longer, just buy the ticket locally either from the ticket office or a Kiosk. There's no price break for pre-purchase of Regionale tickets. If you decide to travel via the high speed FrecciaBianca on that route, again you can achieve savings if you pre-book the tickets online. Note that only the Regionale tickets have to be validated, and no reservations are required with those.

Regarding the tickets for the premium trains (Freccia, Inter City, etc.), if you'd prefer more flexibility in your travel times you can also buy the tickets when you're there, either from the ticket office or the Kiosks (I normally use the Kiosks as there's usually less of a queue). You will still be locked into a specific train, date and departure time when using premium trains, but you'll be paying Base Fare, which is the highest tier. I often just buy locally as I prefer the flexibility.

Posted by
649 posts

Thanks all. Will use the Trenitalia site for advance tickets for the Florence to Verona train. Regionale for the other one.

Posted by
6898 posts

Shelley, here's how you purchase tickets on www.trenitalia.com as a non-registered user. This should get you to the purchase page.

1) First, contact your credit card people to let them know that you are going to make an online
international purchase. This will avoid a few problems.

2) Under Passengers, type in your name and surname. That's it. Nothing else.
3) Under Contract-Buyer, select Non-Registered User and fill in all five fields.

4) Select your payment method.
5) Accept the General Transportation Condition.

6) Select Continue and make your purchase.