The more I read about using the Global Eurail Pass in Italy, the more confused I become. Is the Global pass good on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento & Frecciabianca trains? I see a compulsory 10 Euro reservation fee. Is that all a Global pass holder pays on these fast trains? Also last week I used an Internet timetable that supposedly only selected trains that the global pass covers all over Europe or I was mistaken. Can't find the site again, does it exist? Plus any tips for using trains in Italy will be helpful. Thanks in advance for your advice. BTW: Wish list itinerary is here: https://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/104135/apt-rentals-in-advance.html
Posted by
Green Bay
20980 posts
I'd say you need to rethink the Global Rail pass. Looks like your are going to pay $2000 for the 2 of you. As you know, you need to pay a 10 euro res fee on the fast Italian trains. You can buy most of these in advance for 9 to 19 euro with the res fee included.
Italian regional trains are cheap. 12 euro and less for most of your Italian nonexpress itinerary. Eastern Europe trains are all very reasonable on a pay as you go basis.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23573 posts
The reservation fee applies to each leg that requires a reservation. All trains in Italy EXCEPT regional trains require a reservations
Posted by
OP
boone
63 posts
Thank you,
So am I correct in understanding that the Global Eurail pass is good on the fast trains in Italy if you pay the 10 Euro reservation fee and that there is no other charge, supplement?
Posted by
Texan in CA
4412 posts
Please retread Sam's and Frank's posts. Without a railpass, you could buy an actual train ticket AND seat reservation for 9€ on some routes! Those are FAST TRAINS, advance-order, online, non-refundable tickets...but if you have an itineary mostly pinned down, you can save a ton of money by buying ahead. The best savings are realized 3 months in advance of travel.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4412 posts
I've pasted your most current itinerary from your link; is this correct? "I'm mostly troubled about booking trains in Italy. Thus far, using Bahn, the first reservation we are going to need is a night train from Budapest to Venice. Also looks like we have to cut our wish list, Croatia is out. We've also dropped Prague from our wish list circle( Munich, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Zagreb, Croatia's coast, Florence, Cinque Terre, Lake Como area,and Switzerland around Chur or St Moritz). The first leg looks workable, Munich airport to Salzburg for three nights, a short side trip overnight into the high mtns, then on to Vienna for two nights before departing to Budapest for three nights. Budapest to Venice by night train.
Now, can we manage to get from Venice to Florence to the coast, either Cinque Terre or Portofino, then up to Milan and lake Como into Switzerland without having reservations on Italian trains, it really is confusing for this novice." I think there are two of you? Munich Airport to Salzburg could cost you 26€ for two (and up to five) people -(called a Bayern Ticket). Someone else will have to tell you where at the airport to buy this. This is for local trains only. It's about 1/2 price of regular fare.