Hello. We will be taking a train from La Spezia to Bologna to Venice on July 3rd. I have been looking at tickets on Trenitalia and have noticed that regional passes don't go on sale prior to 7 days before the departure date. Will tickets and seats be hard to get if we wait to book seats on the regional trains then? I ask because the non regional trains are already selling out and I feel pressure to get these instead but the travel times are longer and less convenient so my preference would really be the regional trains.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
It's easy to buy tickets in the train station the same day or a couple of days ahead for the whole trip to Bologna, not just the regional section. Regional trains cannot sell out and don't offer reserved seats. Faster trains from Florence to Bologna take only a half-hour and depart 2 - 4 times per hour, with no deadline to buy tickets, even though seats are assigned. Some advance-discount fares are selling out because there are only a few seats at those prices. Full fare costs 24 euros per person in 2nd class. Most train departures are not likely to fill up, although getting several seats together can be harder on short notice.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
You don't book seats on regional trains. Think of them as a "city bus on wheels." There is no limit to the number of tickets sold, and you don't get a seat reservation, but just find an empty seat on board. If you can't find an empty seat, you stand.
While I like to buy the tickets a day ahead just for convenience, there's no need to do so for regional trains; you can buy them any time up to your departure. Just don't forget to validate them before you get on the train, or you can get a heavy fine.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23573 posts
As others are stating, you should never buy Regionale train tickets on-line. Bad deal as they come with restrictions. Regionale trains NEVER sell out. Where are you seeing that the other trains are selling out.? It is very rare for any train to sell out. A Regionale train is always the slowest so where are you seeing that another train is slower. A better explanation of what you are reviewing might help us give a better answer.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33565 posts
I'm confused. I can't recall any time when the Regionale trains have been faster than InterCity or high speed trains.
Regionale trains don't show up more than a week in advance. High speed trains will sell out the cheapest tickets quickly but the full priced ones will last a long time....
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32330 posts
deastwood,
Could you provide a bit more detail on the rail trips? Are you stopping in Bologna for a short time, or just transiting through there?
As the others have mentioned, there's NO WAY that a Regionale train is a faster mode of transport, especially compared to the Freccia trains which travel at up to 300 kmH.
Regarding purchase of tickets, it appears that there are still a few Economy and Super Economy tickets available on 3 July for at least part of the journey you'll be taking. You can save some money by pre-purchase of tickets for Freccia or InterCity trains, but note that those tickets will be for a specific train, date and departure time. You MUST only use the ONE train specified on your ticket or you'll face hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
If you'll be using any Regionale trains, I'd suggest just buying the tickets locally, perhaps a day or so before you'll be travelling. You can either buy at a staffed ticket window or from a Kiosk. You can't "book seats" on Regionale trains, as those don't have compulsory reservations. Note that you MUST validate them prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or again face hefty fines. DON'T validate them the day before the trip as they have a "shelf life" once validated (typically about six hours), and may have expired by the time the Conductor checks them.
If you could provide a bit more information on the trip, it would be easier to offer more specific suggestions.
Posted by
Green Bay
20980 posts
I will posit the OP's plan is sound for the following reasons
1. This can be done with 3 regional trains beginning 8:10 am, arriving Venezia S.L. at 13:58 costing a total of 29 euro per person. Change trains in Parma and Bologna.
2. The standard using Freccia train leaves La Spezia 8:20 am, arriving V S.L. at 13:35 costing a total of 61.90 euro, also with 2 changes. Only Full fare tickets are available on the Florence-Venice leg.
3. The next departure and the fastest and cheapest advance purchase fare of 35.90 euro, 2 changes. Super economy tickets are available. Leaves La Spezia at 10:06 am and arrives V S.L. at 14:20.
Itinerary one is reasonably fast, certainly not the slowest, and definitely the cheapest and no need to buy in advance. One little problem might be the 12 minute change in Parma.