Rome to Salzburg - night train

I talked to an agent extensively at RailEurope this a.m. about reserving a night train and making reservations for other trains throughout Italy--trains that have the Compulsory Reservations requirement. They are very helpful and can make the sleeper or coachette reservation for you. You tell them what train you want to take, you give them your credit card # and they put in the request. So, if they are able to make the reservation they can charge it to your card immediately--you are committed. According to other blogs, you should make your reservations before you go. Good Luck--

Rail Europe is NOT the only way to book your ticket from the US and RE's fares are inflated. However, it can take quite a bit of effort to get the best fare.

For example, the standard fare for a bunk in a six-person couchette on the Roma-Kufstein night train is €100. The Smart Fare booked at www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html is €39. According to the Swiss Rail site, the 2nd class fare for Kufstein-Salzburg is €27.90.

Rail Europe's price for the entire route--with a change in Insbruck rather than Kufstein--is $203 US plus shipping.

The Trenitalia site is famous for being problematic, particularly when it comes to registering, which is something you have to do before you can book a ticket. But you can save a good deal of money.

You're not limited to the night train for Roma-Salzburg. However, if that's what you want, you should book well in advance. Night trains often sell out. Go to www.bahn.de for complete timetables. Click on "Internat. Guests" for English.

Oops! It was the Austrian Rail site (of course), not the Swiss Rail site, where I found the Kufstein-Salzburg fare.

Thanks all! I appreciate the help. I think I will do RailEurope since Trenitalia wasn't letting me book that fare online (probably I'm doing it wrong). It's not that much more and I'm saving a hotel night by going on the train...

You're welcome! Just in case you want to give the Trenitalia site another try, after going to www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html, click on the "International" tab since you'll start in Rome and end in Kufstein. You'll have to either book the Kufstein-Salzburg leg on the Austrian Railsite or wait and buy your ticket in Kufstein.

On the Trenitalia site pick the standard fare from the drop-down list of fare options. Pick your accomodations from the drop-down list. Then don't settle for the fare given at the top of the page. Click on "Smart Price" first and then on "Smart Price 2" to see if any of the discount tickets are still available.