This train thing is maddening. We want to go from Venice to Munich, spend a few days, then on to Innsbruck by train. I went to bahn.de and trenitalia and am thoroughly confused. It seems I can only use the Smart Fare if we board in Florence, not Venice. What's the best place for simple, clear info?? Also, trenitalia site says if we want an agent, we need to book through an "authorized" travel agent but no where on their site do they bother to list them. I think using an agent would be easier since this is what they know best - or certainly a lot better than me. HELP
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Doreen,
I don't know why Trenitalia only shows the Smart Fare from Florence, but if you use the German Rail website at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en, you can print your tickets (for either direction) with your computer printer at home.
BTW, do you realize that the train from Venice to Munich stops on the way in Innsbruck?
Posted by
OP
Fresno
189 posts
Yes, we realize that it stops in Innsbruck through to Munich, but we thought we'd double back since we had the extra time. Thanks for your info. I'll try that.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Doreen,
I think you looked at the wrong train on the Trenitalia site. The direct Venice-Munich night train doesn't go through Florence. I found Smart fares for that train.
Posted by
OP
Fresno
189 posts
The train I found originates in Florence or Rome but comes through Venice and I couldn't find the smart fare for Venice. Could you please give me the exact URL you found with the smart fare for that. Thank you so much!!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Doreen, CLICK HERE to see what Tim is describing. I see a 29E Smart fare on the 13:28 train. I see higher-priced Smart-1 and Smart-2 fares on the other runs.
Posted by
OP
Fresno
189 posts
You are the best, and I've done all that and have more Q's perhaps you can help with as well.
A) If we are 3 in a 4 person couchette, will they put a stranger in with us?
B) I am assuming if I input first class and Mandatory Reservation, that's a first class seat. Correct?
C) What's the difference between the Smart fare and the Smart fare 2? (87 euros vs. 147 euros).
D) How can I access the Family Fare for this trip? Is that first class or second class?
E) Finally (for now anyway) when can I actually book this?>
THANKS!!!!!!!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Doreen, yes it is possible that any seat in a 3-4 seat couchette that you don't reserve can be booked by a hopefully friendly stranger.
Next, CLICK HERE to see the scoop on family fares on Trenitalia.
CLICK HERE to see a brief description of all of the fare types. The Smart fare seems to offer a 10% discount. Smart-1 and Smart-2 fares seem to be increasingly higher.
When you see "Mandatory Reservation", it means that you must have a reservation. It can be either 1st or 2nd class. There should be a separate window for you to select the class. I don't think that couchettes are sold by class. Tim would know that much better than I.