Hi,
I am checking train tickets between cities and wonder if foreign travelers are eligible to get the Amica tickets (20% off?)? If I can get the Amica tickets, it would be a better deal to get it on trenitalia instead of purchasing the tickets at the station? thanks.
The Amica discount is a limited discount based on day, train type, train number and class. It is definitely available online and at the train station up to midnight before the day of travel. Since these discounts are limited, its best to try for them as soon as you arrive. The costs should be the same online as it is in the train station although I do see some newer discounts on Trenitalia for purchasing tickets online.
Here's the difficulty. Trenitalia won't accept U.S.A. credit cards. They used to until the middle of last year. I'm not sure about Canadian credit cards. You might try registering with Trenitalia online and see if yours works.
Last year Trenitalia was not accepting US credit cards so I had to wait until I got to Rome. I went into the American Express with my print outs ready for desired tickets and got all Amica fares very easily. I bought (Rome-Naples) & (Naples- Pisa) for trips two days later(early June). We went 2nd class and it was fine but the second trip was a little cramped. I saw other 2nd class carriages that looked nicer but I don't know why we were reserved in our only ok carriage for several hours. With the killer Euro it was a neccessity and fine though
Thanks for your info. They are very helpful. I will give it a try with my credit card tonight and see if it works. If I purchase the tickets at the Rome train station, can I purchase tickets for all the trains (we have to get tickets for Florence-> Venice, Venice->Milan etc too.. ), so can I get them all once we arrive at Rome? or only at the place we depart for each ride? For amercian express service, do I need to be an amercian express card holder? thanks again.
Yes. You can purchase all of your tickets for travel in Italy at the Rome train station. In fact, you can do it all at the electronic ticket kiosk. Karen's suggestion is great. Have your travel itinerary written down. This means that you will have to do a bit of homework first. You will need the origination/destination, date of travel and time/train number. The machine will prompt you in British and will step you through your choices. It will even prompt you through your seat selections. You can also request the Amica fare. You can even pay with your credit card.
Note that the Eurostar trains are the most expensive. If you want bargains, look for the ICPlus trains that are about 25% less. Often times, they can get to your destinations almost as fast as the Eurostars. You can get Amica fares on those trains as well.
The www.trenitalia.com website is very easy to navigate. All fares are now shown on their updated site. (This will be quickly disputed). If you want instructions, I can provide them.
Arnold....let us know whether you're successful with your Canadian cc on Trenitalia. Mine worked when I last booked Trenitalia tickets a couple of years ago, but I haven't tried since.
Thanks for the great info. will purchase them when we get to rome.. too busy in packing up, leaving on thurs! =) still have to download Rick Steve's audio and stuffs..
I went to the American Express by the Spanish Steps, as I was going that direction anyway. They have a specific counter for train tickets. There were no fees & I don't have an American Express card. I probably would have been fine buying them at the train station but we were hungry & tired. I only travelled ICPlus as I recall. Have a grat time!
Thanks Karen. greatly appreciated for your advice.
