Trying to book on Trenitalia.com

[filthiestfis]

I'm trying to purchase train tickets on the Trenitalia website for travel next week but when it comes to choosing my seat it asks that I choose my coach and seat...I cant find a plan of the coaches so I've no idea which one to choose. If I leave it out, on the next page my seats are automatically chosen. The problem is that its choosing random seats and we are a prty of 3 who wish to be seated together! Is it possible to choose 3 seats together during the booking process online?

[Buenchico]

Book through Trenitalia's UK agency:
http://www.italiarail.co.uk/tickets/IR/IRUK.as p?AFF=ITR
Selecting the first seat as 'window', the second one as 'middle' and the third one as 'aisle' ought to produce 3 seats together.

Alternatively, book by phone on 08718 80 80 66. That's the number for the UK booking service, offered by the German Railways, Deutsche Bahn. They can book tickets for most European rail services and, unlike National Rail's partner company (Rail Europe), you won't get hit with a large booking fee.

Chris

[filthiestfis]

Hey
Thanks Buenchico.
Actually I've realised that 1st class travel on the Intercity costs the same as 2nd class travel on the Eurostar.
Whats the difference in service? Which one would you go for?

[filthiestfis]

I understand that there is catering on board but it is expensive, as per usual on any train service.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, my experience of Italian trains is limited to those running along the coast of Liguria.

ES Italia services are probably only worth booking if they offer significantly faster travel. Otherwise, I'd stick to using the regular Trenitalia services (and probably buy a snack at the departure station, to take on the train with me, rather than buying anything on the train).

Chris

[filthiestfis]

Thanks Buenchico. Yes, ES are faster than IC, the trip takes approx 30 mins less with ES.

[filthiestfis]

Buenchico-the thing with italianrail is that although you can book all seats together, they charge �65, which, with the exchange rate works out at �5 more than booking directly. In addition, they do not make themselves responsible for the non delivery of tickets posted 1st class, which I think is disgraceful.
So I must consider whether it would be better to buy my tickets when I arrive into Venice a couple of days before travel.