Ok, I know this may be too simple a question, but I just want to purchase a one-way morning train ticket in first class from Florence to Milan to Zurich on June 24th for 3 passengers ages 15, 50, 83. I don't want a eurail pass or a pass of any type, I just want to purchase a ticket and get reserved seats, and I'd prefer to do this in USA before leaving but I can tolerate doing it the week prior in Italy. I can't seem to figure out how to do this properly. Can anyone help me with reference to the best website to go to and how I can get this accompished. I'm not necessarily looking for the best deal, but I am not wanting to pay top premium dollars either. I would be so grateful for help here. It cannot be that hard, can it?
Posted by
Minneapolis
1261 posts
Hi Fred. Use trenitalia.com. Use stations firenze smn and zuerich (city). There are several classes, you will be able to see them all and compare. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
OP
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
6 posts
Thank you.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Fred, A few additional comments..... Before booking tickets, you may find it helpful to have a look at this excellent website (especially the "How To Use The Trenitalia Website" section): www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm#.UZ8AcutAu81 Be sure to make a note of the part on how to collect tickets. You can use a PNR code supplied at the time of booking for trains in Italy, and I'm assuming that will also work for the departure from Milano Centrale to Zuerich. As Bob mentioned, the Trenitalia website will show the available trains from Florence to Zuerich. If you click on the "Seleçt" tab in the price column, it will provide a breakdown of the prices in various classes for each leg of the journey. You'll need to specify the correct names for your stations when you buy tickets. Your departure station will be Firenze S.M. Novella, transit station Milano Centrale and your arrival station Zuerich Hbf. You can buy your tickets online (the www.italiarail.com website is apparently more "user friendly" than the Trenitalia site) OR buy at the station in Florence a few days before you'll be travelling, either at the staffed ticket office or via the automated Kiosks. NOTE that tickets for the "premium trains" (the ones you'll be using) are specific to a particular train and departure time. If you miss that train, your tickets are worthless and you'll have to buy more. Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
6 posts
Ken and Bob; Thank you for your generous supply of informaiton. I was bewildered that buying a ticket was so oddly challenging. I'm a pro at air tickets in USA but the train web sites have just enough subtle but very important features that you have to have a little experience before it's totally intuitive. Throw in a little Italian or an abbreviated train station and you're lost. Fred