Hi, I know the first leg of the trip is a non-regional train so a seat assignment is needed. Problem is we are traveling into Milan from the states and then going directly to Lucca. I want to be assured we have a seat BUT if the flight is delayed at all, we may miss our train. I understand the ticket is non-refundable? The man in seat 61 train site says you do not need to make advanced reservations. Anyone have experience with traveling in early June and not making a reservation?
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
It isn't a "two steps" procedure: the mandatory seat reservation always comes with the ticket. It is the ticket, if you prefer.
Get a through ticket from MXP to Lucca at the airport station (or via app while waiting for luggage) and you'll always have a reserved seat for the Milan-Florence train.
I think that the man in seat 61 means that if you can pay the top walk-up fare you don't need to purchase tickets in advance. He assumes his readers know that tickets and seat reservation are the same thing on Italian high speed trains.
I know the first leg of the trip is a non-regional train
You are flying into MXP, aren't you? If so it would be the second leg of the trip. The fist leg is the airport train from MXP to Milano Centrale that has no reserved seats and can't sell out.
Milan has 3 airports.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Thank you Dario, yes flying into MXP and taking the train to Milan Centrale. I am concerned the train may be sold out, does that happen? After all it will be June 7 and tourist season is starting.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8147 posts
Unless you're coming in on a holiday, Italian trains seldom sell out completely. And many trains a day run to the larger cities.
You've got to go around a big rectangle to get to Lucca. Milan Malpensa to Milan Train Station to Bologna then down to Florence and then west to Lucca. Sorry trains don't go an easier route.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
The number of foreign tourist is negligible compared to the offer of seats from Trenitalia and Italotreno on the high speed backbone.
Traditionally "the Season" starts on Easter Monday and many Italians take some days off around April 25. Not in early June, Italian schools close only on the 15th of June.
Your Milan-Florence train will call at Bologna, but you won't have to change.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Molto bene, Grazie Dario!