I am trying to get my ducks in a row, so to speak, and would be happiest to have my point-to-point rail tickets purchased in advance.
This morning I purchased our tickets (Mini Fare!) from Florence to Milano Centrale. I had done several trial runs on Trenitalia and SBB websites and saw that I could follow the same itinerary and purchase the tickets in 2 segments, Florence to Milan on Trenitalia (to take advantage of the Mini Fares) and then Milan to Luzern. It wasn't until I was completely through the purchase on SBB that suddenly I found there was no email delivery of tickets. I even downloaded their mobil app without any advantage as far as getting the tickets. The only options were to pick up at THEIR ticket booth (none in Milan of course) or have them mailed to me for 45 CH. So it looks like I am out of luck as far as purchasing the tickets here. Will I have problems getting seat reservations for the Milan to Arth-Goldau train if I wait until we are in Italy? That will still make it about 7 days in advance of our Milan trip. Thanks for your help.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17249 posts
You found the problem with buying tickets on SBB for travel into Switzerland---no way to pick up the tickets! You should be able to buy that ticket on Trenitalia, at least as far as Arth-Goldau. Look for Smart Fares to get a discounted price. If no Smart Fares appear, there is no advantage to buying online unless you like to have it all arranged in advance. You should have no trouble getting seats if you buy a week in advance in Italy.
Posted by
OP
Beachwood, OH, USA
27 posts
Lola, that was the ticket (pardon the pun!) I went to Trenitalia and found a smart fare from milan to Arth-Goldau which I can purchase online and pick up at pretty much any rail station (such as Rome.) I am not particularly worried about the train from Arth-Goldau to Luzern. I figure they must come by all the time.
thanks so much for your advice.