Hi, I booked a ticket from Milan to Venice for 18euro for myself and my boyfriend about a month ago, and I was experiencing some problems with Trenitalia's terrible website... It kept timing out my sessions so I would have to start again, sometimes go back a few steps. I wanted to book a ticket for 12h35 as my train comes in at 10h00 to Milan. However the website somehow bungled it and sent me a receipt saying that my ticket has been booked for 6h35! I wont even be in Milan yet! The website says you should be able to edit bookings, but I could not. So I spent several days trying to find out how. Eventually in desperation I spoke to an Italian friend that went to Trenitalia's offices and they say that they cannot do anything because I booked a "cheap" ticket!? All their tickets for Milan/Venice start at that price! I am so irritated and I really dont want to have to pay again, it seems ludicrous! I would like some advice. Is there any way to contact anyone at that God-forsaken train company that could help me? Or should I just travel with this ticket and get on the later train, after all I have already paid!? Or would I then get in trouble with train conductors? Any advice?
Thank you!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
If you bought a ticket on the fast train, not only will you get in trouble with train conductors, you will not have a seat (carriage and seat number are printed on the ticket). There will be a fine to pay, and/or you will have to purchase a full-fare ticket in order to stay on the train. "After all I have already paid" is true - but you have already paid for a specific train ticket, and it can't be used on a different train.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4177 posts
Alanna, did you register on the Trenitalia wb site before proceeding with your transaction ? Not doing so can cause this sort of problem .
Posted by
OP
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
18 posts
Hi, Sadly no, I didn't. For some reason the few days I was trying to use their website it was a complete disaster, The formatting was all over the place, translations were not working (english took the website to a whole other link!), so I only saw afterwards that they said: you did not sign in before making this booking etc etc. Its really annoying, I would have had no problem signing up! I have since anyway! I really feel that they are just trying to get money from customers. Surely there should be a way to link bookings made with a specific name and ID number, to login details! Technically whether I signed up before or after should make no difference! But is there anything I can actually do? Alanna
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4177 posts
Alanna , I know you are frustrated and I would be as well . While it is unfortunate that this happened , here is what I would do : Firstly , register with Trenitalia . Secondly , when you proceed with a new transaction , make a " dummy " run on the site to be reasonably certain that it is not at a time when either the site or the internet in general are " buggy " . Thirdly , buy new tickets . The 9E seats used to be called Mini fares, they have changed the name since I did this several months ago , but it's the same ticket . Lastly , when you arrive in Milan , go to the Trenitalia office in the station and speak directly with an agent. show the agent all your tickets ,good documentation is important , and the agent may be able to help ( particularly if you maintain a pleasant non confrontational demeanor , after all you'll catch more flies with honey instead of salt . you should have enough time to make your connection . If this fails , just eat the 18E for the other ticket . Iknow that goes down rough , but don't let it ruin your trip ! Everyone makes mistakes or has something go awry . This one is minor in the larger scheme of things , it's not like losing a large amount on a hotel reservation that gets screwed up . In any event being in Venice will make up for this . Have a great time !
Posted by
OP
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
18 posts
Okay, thanks very much for the help, I will do!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Here is a great tutorial on super economy fares: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k5640565-Train_Class_from_Rome_to_Naples-Rome_Lazio.html http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k5476010-Trenitalia_to_Revamp_Fare_Structure_Effective_June_10_2012-Rome_Lazio.html The 9 euros fares are the super economy fares so you may be out of luck. Donna
Posted by
OP
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
18 posts
Hi Donna, Thanks so much! Yes I know, I booked them on purpose. I didn't want to change them! However the website somehow(!?) changed my booking! I booked the 12h30 train and I got the 6h30 train! Thats what upsets me. Its not that I feel like changing my ticket. Its that its THEIR fault, and now I need to pay. Its awful. Anyway I have tried everything so it seems that nothing can be done.
I had to pay 38 for the new tickets (9 euro ones sold out) and so my total fee was 56 euro for a trip that should have cost 18 euro. Judging by complaints on other forums I gather that this is the way Trenitalia makes their money. Everyone booking with Trenitalia should just be super careful thats all.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
I know hundreds of people who have booked tickets on the trenitalia site and non of them have had this type of problem. To say that trenitalia makes it's money by doing this is very dishonest on your part. It could have been something with your computer. It could have been the fact that you didn't register with the site before you bought the tickets.... who knows. I know you're upset but to make these senseless accusations is just wrong. donna
Posted by
West Allis, WI, United States
2 posts
Go here webtraveltools.com and try searching. I'm sure you'll find something :)