Trenitalia Summer 2014 Schedule

There is always a schedule change in mid June and mid December.

The high speed trains will start showing up a couple of weeks prior followed by the mid speed trains with the regional trains being the last to be loaded. The full schedule will be out by June 15th.

Donna

So to book a train on June 15 might be available around the first of June?

No, you can book the train when the schedule becomes available. Italy is known for inconsistency when posting their seasonal train schedules. Just have to keep checking, unfortunately.

usually tickets in Italy become available about 2 months in advance. However, as previously mentioned, schedules will probably change AROUND June 10th. You can check the Deutsche Bahn to find out what the schedules will probably do, but if you need to know exactly when the trains are running after the schedule change, you'll have to wait until that happens.

If you haven't used the Deutsche Bahn yet, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with it as it is a very helpful tool. Rick Steve's website has a link to it and also some tips on how to use it: http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/online-schedules

So if I wanted to purchase a ticket on Italiarail for June 20 to save money, the schedule might change? Even if I am able to buy the ticket?

The schedule will not be changed once you purchase that ticket. The exception would be a Regional train schedule but that ticket is an open ticket and not specific for a train, time, seat.

With the exception of regional tickets you can purchase tickets 4 months in advance. The only time this does not work is during the schedules changes that take place every December and June.

Keep checking the website, be sure to use the official trenitalia website and not the Germany railsite. They will start to load the schedules for the high speed trains first a few weeks in advance. Once these schedules are posted you can make the purchase and the schedule won't change. I would start checking in April to see if they have been loaded yet. I would check every few days and jump on the cheap tickets as soon as they become available. The cheapest tickets are capacity controlled and tend to sell out quickly.

The schedule usually doesn't change much so if you want to get an idea of how many trains are going to a certain city or what times they usually leave you can use an earlier date to find out that information.

Unless the schedule is posted you won't be able to buy the tickets. Once you see trains listed for your dates you can purchase those tickets.

donna

Wow, thanks for the info! I am trying to buy for 6/17... I knew there was a schedule change and the trains would be loaded late, but I had no idea it wouldn't be until after April! Sigh....