Whenever I try to purchase the train tickets it seems to take me to several different websites like Raileurope even though I put in Trenitalia. When I do find Trenitalia everything is in Italian and when you translate it doesn't work. Any suggestions on the best and cheapest way to book?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
You can get Trenitalia in English at www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html.
I think the general consensus is that you look up ticket costs on Trenitalia for planning purposes, but you can get the tickets when you are there. If you buy your tickets the day before, you can get the "Amica" fare (20% discount).
Posted by
Oakland, CA
73 posts
Did you sign up for a free account on Trenitalia? I did a search which pulled up a number of trains.
First I went here: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Then I entered Leaving From? and Going To? Information. ( put in Monterosso to Nice)
A number of options came up on the screen. I then clicked "details" for one and the site prompted me to sign up for the account. The only other thing I can think of is that maybe it is too far in advance for you to purchase the tickets. Good luck!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Trenitalia works just fine in English. Use the URL information provided above. Trenitalia is great for viewing schedules and fares. It's very difficult to buy tickets online. Many travelers can and do but many can't. For Italy, you really don't need to buy tickets until you get there. Believe it or not, Trenitalia has 8,000 trains runs a day in Italy. You won't have a problem showing up a day or two before travel and buying your tickets. As Lee says, ask for the Amica fare. These fares are limited by date, train class and train category. If they are available on the train you want, they'll sell you the tickets.
Posted by
Orlando, FL, USA
3 posts
I have to agree with the other posters, I have had luck in registering and getting fares, but have had no luck in booking with credit card online. Also, it's quite confusing when you search for trains on voyages-sncf, then trenitalia, then raileurope, etc, and get different prices on each, but i understand that trenitalia often has the lowest fares since they don't hide the discounted ones from North American websurfers, like some sties will. >>> My question for the followup posters is... I also am trying to book a rome-paris overnight on June 3rd and can't get my card to work. If I see a SMART Fare or a GO Fare online, should I be able to get those two weeks in advance of the date if I wait to do it in person, or do they disappear by then? The original poster may benefit from this too, if there is a lower fare showing on the site instead of waiting to arrive.
Posted by
Newton, MA, USA
1 posts
Go to http://www.italiarail.com for Trenitalia train tickets. This is the official North American site for Trenitalia and they have a direct connection to the railway for booking tickets.
Posted by
Newburyport, MA
683 posts
Forget buying tix from here, online. Buy them in Italy. Getting tix is easy and quick and painless. The ticket machines normally take cash or credit and have several language options. Why complicate your life?
Posted by
Silver Spring, MD
1 posts
I've had the same problem and called Trenitalia before reading these posts. They say that one cannot use a US credit card on line. The cc must be an Italian one. - Joe
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Sarah,
The easiest (and usually cheapest) method is to simply buy your tickets in Italy. There's really no reason to buy them in advance. I never buy tickets in advance and so far haven't any difficulties with this approach at all.
Some tickets have a discount if purchased a few days before you'll be travelling. Check Ron's website for more details.
You can purchase tickets in Italy either from automated ticket machines or from staffed ticket windows (usually lots of them in the larger stations such as Roma Termini).
How many tickets do you need and on which routes?
Happy travels!