I want to buy tickets on a Freccia between Milan and Florence. We are flying on Aer Lingus into Linate Airport, scheduled for 10 am. Seat 61 suggest buying tickets early through italia rail at a significant discount but are nonrefundable Knowing that flights can be late, should I risk buying before or is there some flexible fare that I could purchase, or an add on fee if I miss the train. Thoughts?
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I love a bargain, but the common wisdom is to not buy a super-economy ticket ahead of time on your arrival date. Things can happen to cause delays, and your cheap ticket is now worthless.
Posted by
OP
70 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
OP
70 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
82 posts
Sorry, I have to disagree with previous poster - i saved a significant amount of money buying a Freccia supersaver ticket between Milan and Venice for 19 euros. Just order a ticket that is reasonably later than your scheduled arrival on the Air Lingus flight (maybe in the afternoon) to reduce the chance of missing your train. Good luck!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23660 posts
No, previous poster is accurate. You gambled and you won. A super economy is a one shot deal, miss the train and it is no good. Economy is little better in that it can be exchange paying the difference in fare one time but if the train has left the station then it is still a dead ticket. No reason to buy a full fare in advance but it be exchange until one hour after the train has left. And you plane can be delayed or canceled so buying a ticket on line goes put that ticket at risk
We were burned last year on an EasyJet ticket. Thought we had covered our basis with about a five hour window and insurance. The flight was delayed for 24 hours. Lost the ticket. It is a risk you take.
Posted by
Chicago
792 posts
I also buy the super economy fares and take the gamble. If I make the train, I save a nice chunk of money. If I miss the train, I'm out somewhere between 30 and 50 dollars and end up buying the ticket I would have had to buy anyway. But I usually travel alone so I am sure I would do things differently if I were paying for a family.
If you decide to "go for it", I would recommend carrying on so you can be on the move right away and having a clear understanding of how to get from the airport to the train station. And leave yourself a decent cushion (3 hours?) from when you land.