Question About Choosing Seats on Intercity Train - 12:54 Monterosso to Varenna-Esino

You don't have to worry about Milan to Varenna. It is open seating all 2nd class.

The 2nd class compartments will have 2 window seats. The seats will face each other. So 2 people will be on the window facing each other so they can talk. And 2 more people next to them. 3 on each side. So if you all want window seats you would need 2 different compartments. The middle seat is only the width of the first seat from the window. You'll be able to see out the giant windows. Get all your seats in the same compartment.

You don't have to get a compartment. Most of the seats are open type. 1st class will have 2 seats on one side of the aisle and 1 seat on the other. 2nd class will be 2 seats on each side of the aisle. Look again at the pictures for IC interiors on seat61.

Here's a link to the website that Sam mentioned......

http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm#What%20are%20Italian%20trains%20like

I'm not sure there's any way to know whether your train will have compartments or open seating. You may have to tolerate one of your group not having a window seat. They will still easily be able to see outside the window.

Please help! I waited a couple of days to see if more Economy or Super Economy fares were loaded.

Now it is showing no availability (shopping cart with "NO" sign across it) for these trains except early morning.

We wanted the 12:54 train on June 20th. It was bookable a few days ago, but I was confused about the seating configuration and wanted to figure that out before buying.

When I was looking at tickets the other night the cars were practically empty, so i find it hard to believe they sold out.

Any clue what's going on?

Thank you!

What date?

June 20th. Thanks so much!

Crazy - but right now the only thing I see available is the regional train at 11:47

I am guessing but I think the new train schedules were released today. Perhaps the IC train was deleted from the route.

I just check DB site - this route ends on June 11th for the IC train

You have to take the regional train at 1147 from Monterosso to Geneva Brignole arr 1325 and then change to the IC there at 1409 arrive Varenna at 1723

Hi twg759. I was in your exact situation last year - in my case, we were looking to book the 10:54 train from Monterosso to Milan; trains were showing on the schedule, but not bookable. From my experience, these trains WILL run and are NOT sold out. In our case, the 10:54 train eventually appeared as bookable, but with a new train number, and we booked it and rode it. Keep checking every once in awhile, or just wait and buy in Italy. The time / money savings on this route is not a big deal; and you have the 11:47 regional trains as a good backup; impossible for those regional trains to sell out. If you're like me, you like to have everything nailed down ahead of time, but in this case, it should work fine to just chill and buy tix when available either before you go, or in Italy. Enjoy your trip!

It is strange.

We wanted the 12:54 train on June 20th.

The schedule was released and It was bookable a few days ago, but I was confused about the seating configuration and wanted to figure that out before buying the tickets.

Now today it is not bookable. Very strange. I will keep checking or wait to buy in Italy. Thanks everyone for your help!

This was just changed today:

Monterosso dep 12:54 IC 670 Intercity Direction: Milano Centrale
Subject to compulsory reservation , Global price , space for wheelchairs
Milano Centrale arr 15:50

Transfer time 30 min.
Adjust the transfer time
Milano Centrale dep 16:20 R 2566 Regionalzug Direction: Tirano
Number of bicycles conveyed limited
Varenna-Esino arr 17:23

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Please note
runs not every day, 21. May until 11. Jun 2016

I am not seeing this. It is still showing the shopping cart with the No symbol across it when I look.

Thanks for your help!

NO - that was for tomorrow.

The point of my last post to show the schedule info

Please note
runs not every day, 21. May until 11. Jun 2016

That is last day this route runs this was changed on 21 May