When I try to book a sleeper through Trenitalia on april 7th for 2 people it only gives me the option of 4-3 person cochettes or a "Double seat compartment (Complete Compartment)" w/ seats assigned in couch. Does this mean we will have our own private LOCKABLE compartment? Are there going to be beds or only seats? Also I hear everyone complaining about how American express will not work to buy tickets, but will other credit cards (aka visa/mastercard) work?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Trenitalia doesn't seem to accept American credit cards. Up until the middle of last year, they used to accept my Visa card. No more. I tried again recently. For sleepers, you really need to reserve well in advance as, unlike the day trains, they do fill up. You might be able to buy the tickets on the French train website (I have not purchased from this website) or you could a more $$ and buy from www.raileurope.com.
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
I looked up the details on RailEurope, and it says for that class, "The price of the ticket includes one reserved bed per person, in a 2 person compartment." So it would be a private compartment.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Rail Europe's best fare for a two-bed sleeper (double seat compartment) on 7 April is $219 (plus a delivery fee). Trenitalia offers a Flexi fare of €175 and a Switch fare of €155.
Since using a North American credit card to book online currently isn't possible, if you want to get the cheaper fare, you could phone the Trenitalia call center and see if you can book over the phone. Or you could call a travel agent in Venice and ask the agent to book your tickets. If neither works, all you're out is the price of two international phone calls. Then book with Rail Europe and be done with it.
Posted by
OP
Deland, FL, United States
34 posts
We are considering buying the Rail n' Drive 3 country select pass with driving for 2 days but are unsure how much the upgrade fee for a sleeper would be. Since we need a car for 2 days in Provance ($192 through Auto Europe 3 day min) and are needing to use the train on other occasions, we are wondering which will cheaper.
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
I cannot figure out how to get it to show just the reservation fee on the RailEurope USA site, but on the RailEurope Canadian site it shows that the reservation fee (so if you have the pass, you just pay this to reserve the sleeping beds)is $149 Canadian per person. That being said, I agree with other comments that RailEurope is not the cheapest, but I probably would not wait until I was in Europe to purchase this one as the night trains can book up well in advance.
To find the US price, maybe contact the Rick Steves rail people, or contact RailEurope USA.