I just added a last minute trip to Venice. Can I arrive at the Milan train station and just purchase a ticket to Venice. Or should I really purchase it online? The raileurope site won't let me print the ticket, but will over night the ticket. I leave on October 15. I feel the overnight delivery would be too risky.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Buy your ticket directly on Trenitalia website, not on RailEurope. You can buy e-tickets that don't require any physical collection, you buy your e-ticket and you are good to go. You can buy right before departure, if trains are not full, but that way you are assured prices will be the highest.
Posted by
OP
Jersey City
25 posts
Thanks! Will do.
Posted by
OP
Jersey City
25 posts
Bummer. The Raileurope site shows the tickets being $54 US each. The trentaila site shows them being 74 Euros. Does that sound right considering my situation.
Posted by
OP
Jersey City
25 posts
oops, panicked...the 75 was for two tickets. never mind :)
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32330 posts
Jana, Buying from Rail Europe is not usually the most cost effective method. If you want to pre-purchase tickets, the Trenitalia website is the best one to use. There are numerous trains between Milan and Venice each day, so you'll have no trouble buying tickets when you arrive in Milan. If you're arriving at MXP T1, you can buy tickets there. One important question.... Are you arriving in Milan by air from the U.S.? It's not usually a good idea to pre-purchase tickets in case of flight delays or whatever. On the trip from Milan to Venice, you'll likely be travelling via "premium" trains such as the high speed Freccia, and the tickets come with compulsory reservations that are specific to a particular train, date and departure time. If you're caught without valid reservations for the trains you're riding on, you'll be fined on the spot and it's not cheap. Fines will be about €60 PP and they're payable on the spot! If not paid on the spot, they usually double. If any of your rail trips involve travel on Regionale trains, tickets MUST be validated prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or again hefty fines will result. Also, be sure to purchase tickets for the correct stations (most cities have more than one). Your departure point will be Milano Centrale and your arrival station will be Venezia Santa Lucia. Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Jersey City
25 posts
Thanks for the advice. However, I hedged my bet and purchased tickets already on the Trentalia. I am coming from the US, but our flight arrives early morning and I got tickets for mid afternoon. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that there won't be any delays. Its a direct flight. I'll just have to go with the flow is something happens. Besides the money, how bad can it be....I'll be in Italy!! :)
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32330 posts
Jana, Hopefully your tickets have the correct stations specified. You may be in Italy, but having to buy new tickets if there are any serious delays will add to your costs. Good luck!