We are traveling from Lake Como to Rome in late September and will purchase train tickets when there at the machine in the Como San Giovanni station. Do these machines give you the option of seat reservations on the high speed trains or is the reservation automatically made and added to the ticket price.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Tickets on high-speed trains require reservations and they are included in the price of the ticket. You will take a regional train from Como to Milan and a EuroStar Italia train from there to Rome. Here's how you can save some money. Buy your regional train ticket (€4.05) in Como. There is no discount for advance purchase. Book Milan-Rome now at trenitalia.com to get a Mini fare as low as €49. If you wait and buy a 2nd class ticket at the station in Como, that same ticket will cost €91.
Posted by
OP
Greenville, SC, USA
43 posts
Thanks for the tip. I assume when I get to Milan I go to the ticket machine to redeem the ticket. Is the same true for first class?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You're welcome! Choose the "ticketless with payment receipt via email" option and you won't have to go to a ticket machine or a ticket window. It's your call, but IMO 1st class isn't worth the extra money. All you get is 2+1 seating rather than 2+2. There is plenty of leg room in 2nd class.
Posted by
OP
Greenville, SC, USA
43 posts
Tim: I checked out what you said and trenitalia.com is also offering the MINI ticket for the Como to Milan segment with a savings so I will avail my self of that as well. Can't find on their website whether or not these tickets are pre-validated or not. Do you know? Thanks for your assistance.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23309 posts
Any ticket that specifies a certain train, car, and seat does not need to be validated. The ticket is only go for that train at that time. The only tickets that need to be validate are open tickets on the regional trains. Then the ticket is good for 24 hours in direction of travel.
Posted by
OP
Greenville, SC, USA
43 posts
Has anyone had difficulty with conductors not accepting the emailed printed receipt. Seems like I read somewhere this had been an occasional problem.
Posted by
OP
Greenville, SC, USA
43 posts
Has anyone had difficulty with conductors not accepting the emailed printed receipt. Seems like I read somewhere this had been an occasional problem.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1219 posts
Hi Gene. The ticketless option works great for tickets within Italy. It will have a coach and seat number listed. There is no check in process / nothing to do before you board the train; just go to your seat. Sometime during the ride, the conductor will come by; just show them the info / 6 digit code you got in the email. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
OP
Greenville, SC, USA
43 posts
Bob: Thanks for your assistance!!
Posted by
OP
Greenville, SC, USA
43 posts
I saw somewhere that you can now go from Malpensa airport directly to Milan Central. Assume this is on a Trenitalia train. Has anyone done this or know if it is true. If true I assume one can purchase tickets in the airport. I don't want to purchase ahead of time in case the plane is late.
Posted by
Dana Point
1190 posts
We took the train from Malpensa airport to Milano Centrale last May. Worked great. I found this site to be very helpful in describing the process. To answer your specific question, yes, you just buy tickets upon arrival at Malpensa. I hope you have a great trip!