Another Trenitalia question
We will be taking a train from Verona to Venice on Christmas Eve and I have tried to set up an account but I am getting frustrated - they send temp password and I choose new one and it doesn't work. Now I need to refocus on you but my question is how important is it to buy tix before hand? I have never been to Italy - previously for trips the same length in Other countries I have bought ticket day of but being Christmas Eve I feel I Gould have a ticket in hand? Se goes for Dec 26 - we will take train Venice to Bologna.
bronwen
maplewood, new jersey usa 10/2/12
Send Private Message
There is usually a schedule change in mid december (usually around the 12-15th) so buying tickets beyond that is probably not be possible yet. You'll just need to keep checking. The closer you get to the schedule change the more trains they will add and then you'll be able to book. I wouldn't worry about buying tickets right now but would try to buy them at least a week ahead of time for travel on a holiday.
Donna
Thanks! Helpful! Trenitalia should learn from Bahn's website - so much easier but of course I am awaiting their new schedule so I can get my Munich to Verona tickets. I do like to have tickets in hand - we will Beijing around a lot and its the holidays.
The Trenitalia site shows lots of regional trains for 7.40 Euro. These trains take 2 hr 15 min to do what the intercity trains do in 1 hr 11 min for as low as 9 Euro but require advance nonrefundable purchase. I also see a couple of regional fast trains that do it in 1 hr 35 min for 7.40. The regional trains are open seating, no advance purchase required.
we will Beijing around
It must be the first time I have seen the capitol of China used as a verb!! lol
Iphone autocorrect perhaps?
HAHA - Nigel I was using iPhone on the train - autocorrected me ... I don't know what I was trying to say!!
Sam - thanks - I am going to figure a way to get the advance purchase ones - my vacation is too short to take the slooow train.
You can look online at tickets for a week from now to get an idea of the schedule and price. They won't change much and you'll be able to see how many trains are going each hour between your destinations. Usually at the beginning of December they start loading the faster trains onto the site followed by the slower trains. You'll still be able to get some good deals. I would just keep checking.
Donna
Thanks Donna - that's just what I've been doing. I am learning some Italian too as I familiarize myself with their website. So excited for our trip!
Hello Browen
What says Donna is correct can you look at www.trenitalia.it
Verona porta nuova to Venezia s. lucia the next week can you
see there are many speed train every hours and in December no change to much
only few minute (sometime)
Have a great time
m
giacomo from vernazza
Thanks Giacomo! I am so excited for this trip! For years I have tried to get frequent flier tickets to Italy and I finally did it - and it's first class with flat beds (yes, I am easily excited)! This means spending a night in Munich (not complaining - I love the Weiss Brauhaus) and a early morning train ride to Verona.
Anyone ever been to Venice for Christmas? I have read both that all restaurants are closed to it is a busy tourist time. I assume somewhere in the middle. We are staying at a B&B so I will contact them about making a restaurant reservation but in reality we don't like to sit and eat fancy dinners - will there be pizzerias / pubs open? Can you tell I am excited?
Italians generally spend Christmas day at home with their families, therefore most businesses (incl. restaurants) may be closed.
As a matter of fact I find Christmas day in Italy rather boring. Basically people eat a multiple course lunch at home with relatives and rarely get up from the table before 5 pm. Then, if they can still walk, they might go for a passeggiata. Going to the movies is another activity they do if they are up to it.
However Venice works almost exclusively with tourists, therefore if there is a place where things are open on Christmas day, that would be Venice.
Christmas is boring everywhere! Excited to be bored wandering around Venice!
We'll be in Venice for Christmas too! We rented an apartment and I figure if nothing else I can prepare a meal there. I asked the lady who owns the apartment what to expect for closure on Christmas Day and she replied that many larger places will be open as Venice caters so exclusively to tourists.
Remember too that Dec. 26th is also considered a Holiday in Italy.