train ticket purchases and transport strikes

Train strikes are not as frequent as often reported. Many announced but few happen. Over the past 18+ years with nearly a year travel in Europe we encountered only one strike for a day in Spain. Regarding trains - if a strike occurs there will always a few trains running. Instead of one an hour, maybe one every two hours or so. No question that it causes problems but take your ticket to the office (lines can be long) and get a ticket for the trains that are running. It will be an inconvenience but you should get to your hotel.

Thank you...I was getting concerned as I saw a website that listed alot of upcoming strikes and got a tad panicked but wanted to pre book some longer distance train tickets in advance so I wouldn't have to deal with it while on holiday...

Frank is right, a fast-train ticket pre-purchased will be honored during a strike as if the train were cancelled. You may face a line at the ticket window, but Trenitalia has customer care desks at major stations so that may move you along faster.

Thanks Zoe, so just went online to book and salerno to venice schedules are slim pickings time wise, even tho its a few months away still...I am totally unfamiliar with trains and am worried that a train change with 10 minutes in between wont give me enough time to get to the second train on time...is it just online that is selling out and will there be more time options if you just book at the station?

pandora,

if you'd like help with getting train reservations, just ask. I see from your other threads that you will be in Rome around the 2nd of June, and presumably moving to Salerno prior to a trip to Venice Santa Lucia?

Is it definitely Salerno and not Sorrento?

Are you using Trenitalia and ItaloTreno websites or are you trying to make sense of RailEurope or some other third party?

The more specific info you give us the more clear and correct answer we can give you....

Use Trenitalia.com to see available schedules. I just found six trains within an eight-hour period, using June 6 as a travel date. All these trains are direct, no changes, from Venezia Santa Lucia to Salerno.

Purchases can be made up to 120 days in advance one the semi-annual schedules are loaded.

Couple of other points. There is no difference in availability of tickets on-line or at the station. (Obviously the statement does not apply to discount tickets). It is all the same. However, do NOT purchase Regionale tickets on line. They with too many restrictions on line. Ten minutes is adequate between trains but don't stop for a snack or use the water closet.

Thanks to all for your help...I went ahead and booked trains...I could not find a direct from salerno to venice but did find one with a change in rome.(actually there is a direct, but it involved getting to the station far too early in the wee hours of the morning for me.) There is about 45 minutes between train changes and I figure thats plenty to find my way around in time....getting excited...I do have another question, well lots actually but will start a fresh post to keep it proper....☺

Frank, you just about gave me a heart attack (joking), I quickly double checked my booking through Trenitalia and its the Frecci trains, so should be okay...
Getting excited...😊thanks again