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Trouble Booking High-Speed Trains in Italy (August 22–28) – Any Insights?

Hello everyone,

My wife and I are traveling to Italy for our honeymoon from August 17–31 (it's the only extended time she has off between summer school and the fall semester). We’ve been booking high-speed trains to travel between cities and have mostly been using Italo, though we’ve also checked Trenitalia.

What’s strange is that for the dates August 22–28, there appear to be no high-speed train options available on either platform. Even the regional/local trains—which take much longer—fail to book, always ending in an error after selecting the train. We’ve been trying since February and at that time, no August trains were listed at all. But now, it seems like most of August has been released except for this specific stretch right in the middle of our trip.

I’ve tried calling customer support but haven’t been able to get a concrete answer. Just wondering if anyone here has experienced the same issue or knows if there’s some schedule release delay, strike, maintenance, or other explanation for the gap?

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Thanks, I do see some out of Rome available. I was looking specifically for Florence to Naples (or Salerno) on the 22nd - I don't see any option available to book under 8 Hours. And then from Naples (or Salerno) to Rome on the 27th, again the high speed rails seem to be not available to book on Trenitalia and not there at all for Italo.

Posted by
8437 posts

It looks like you're doing something wrong. But it is hard to say without knowing what date and what cities you are trying to get a ticket for. I did a random search for Rome to Florence on August 23 2025 and see Freciarossa (high speed trains running).
If you use Trenitalia you need to use the Italian spelling for the city also.

In the case of Italo they only list 90 days in advance. So check back around May 24 for August 23

Posted by
252 posts

I looked on trenitalia and had no trouble finding a high speed train on August 25th from Rome to Naples. Didn't seem to have a problem booking.

Posted by
1312 posts

Hi. You didn't say what route you were looking for, but I randomly picked Rome to Milan, and I am seeing the same thing as you for dates of Aug 22-28 - schedule showing but not purchasable. But not to panic. It is common for schedules to be withheld and filled in gradually. Just check once a week or so; they will appear. And for context, many Italians buy their tix day of or maybe a week in advance. Have a great trip!

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks everyone. Yes, I do see some out of Rome available, I should have been more clear. I was looking specifically for Florence to Naples (or Salerno) on the 22nd - I don't see any option available to book under 8 Hours. (When I try to book it doesn't let me for some reason) And then from Naples (or Salerno) to Rome on the 27th, again the high speed rails seem to be not available to book on Trenitalia and not there at all for Italo.

Posted by
2 posts

I am having the same issue. Looking at leaving Naples on August 24 to head to Rome and then from Rome to Florence on the 26th. No high-speed trains are available.

Posted by
6 posts

Okay, glad I am not the only one with this issue. Let's hope the others are right and we just need to wait.

Posted by
8041 posts

The schedule is always updated around June 11-12
You will see your trains then

Posted by
7 posts

I've been noticing the same thing: Aug 22 - 28. I can book Aug 29 and into September though no problem. What's special about that specific week?

Posted by
6 posts

I am not sure but I have tried calling and I have gotten different responses (one time they said just wait and another time they said there was planned vacations/construction), although I believe there were some language barriers on my end.

Posted by
198 posts

It is truly too early to book high speed trains. The booking of trains coincides with the release of the train schedules, so, while one may see train schedules on the website, one may not actually book them until the actual schedules are released and posted. It’s always been this way. Also, as an American married to an Italian who’s been to Italy too many times to count over 25+ years, and has used the rail network extensively, the average Italian doesn’t book their high speed tickets until a week perhaps before their trips. Regional trains are bought that day or even only upon arrival at the station. Another word of advice, buy only from Trenitalia or Italo NEVER third party sites because they might sell you a ticket you cannot use. Also download the Trenitalia app

Posted by
6 posts

I think the concern is that we are able to book high-speed trains in August before and after the 22nd-28th.

For example I have one booked through Italo for August 19th and August 29th. But anything in the middle is not available.

Posted by
2 posts

Hi there, I'm in the same dilemma as you. I want to buy tickets with Trenitalia from Florence to Trieste on August 23rd, and nope, there are no high-speed options available for this week. What I can see is exactly what you're seeing: from August 22-28, there are no high-speed trains.
My concern is that the lines are in maintenance, I read somewhere that Trainitalia does maintenance in the middle of August, if not then why do they have tickets for the previous and the week after?
People can say whatever they want, that locals buy their tickets a week ahead, that not want to buy tickets that early, that the itinerary is still not up today, that Trainitalia introduced its itinerary for summer in the first week of Jun, and on and on, and so many more whys, but the true is, I see what I see, and for me, it is very suspicious!

I guess we have to stay calm and for now, ("keep travelling")

Thank you!

Posted by
8041 posts

Honestly it is highly unlikely there won’t be any fast trains that week. Extremely unlikely.

It’s almost 3 months from now- just be patient.

If you can’t book tickets now neither can anyone else so nothing to get upset or suspicious about

If there is construction there will always be an alternative solution offered

Posted by
5 posts

I just went on the trenitalia and Italotreno websites to book a train ticket from Rome to Florence on 27 August and it does appear that no high speed trains are available on that date. But schedules for a few days earlier and few days later seem to be fine with schedules operating as normal. Wonder why?

Posted by
5 posts

As others have suggested, I guess there’s no alternative to waiting and see what comes up in the next few weeks. It is strange though that schedule appears normal from the following week.

Posted by
2 posts

I just checked this morning and tickets are now available!! Thanks to all who said just give it time.

Posted by
2 posts

UPDATE IN TRENITALIA!!!

Trenitalia updated its itinerary line for the week of August 22-28/2025. The high-speed train is already on the itinerary! I bought my tickets today from Florence to Trieste at the high-speed Frecciarossa!

So, buy your ticket now, enjoy your vacation, stay safe, and from now-to-them, ("keep on Travelling")

Yanelis Gannon