I am about to book a train form Rome to Florence for the beginning of June. I believe I chose seat reservations at the time of booking. Is there a way to know which way the seats will face as I always seem to get backwards ones!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23296 posts
You cannot really since the train cars are designed to run equally well in both directions. So it just depends on how the cars are hooked to the train. Generally the should be some vacant seats so you may be able to switch provide the seat is not reserved by someone else.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Plus, the trains can change direction en route. This happens for example at Florence. It is a terminus station, the trains arrive going one way and leave going the other way. Any seat going forwards from Rome to Florence would be going backwards after Florence, and vice.-versa. So there is no way the seats can be flagged as "forward facing" or "backward facing".
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1533 posts
No way. As most trains (but not all) reverse in Florence, the train sets and reservation system were designed to ignore direction of travel.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Pam,
Roma Termini is also a "terminating station" which means the trains enter one way and leave in the opposite direction. I suspect you'll have to take your chances. If the seat opposite the one you booked is unoccupied you could try sitting there, but would have to be prepared to move if the reservation holder shows up.